When you see Christmas movies come on T.V. it is the signal that Christmas has officially started. Wrapping your body in a blanket laying on the couch watching the Grinch has become embedded in our brains as the ultimate Christmas experience. So dispense your hot chocolate to friends and family and watch these Christmas classics.

+ JACKIE SAYERS & CLAY KARPOWICH

The Polar Express

The Polar Express is the heartwarming tale of a young boy who discovers what it truly means to believe. While riding the magical train, the Polar Express, and exploring Santa’s workshop, the boy makes friends with some of the other passengers, all the while wondering whether he is awake or dreaming. This movie is full of Christmas spirit, and the perfect film to get you in the holiday mood. The song When Christmas Comes to Town is performed while two children observe the Northern Lights. The boy and girl witch off singing every few verses, each sharing what Christmas means to them. The graphics in this film are phenomenal, especially when the inside to Santa’s workshop is shown. While in the North Pole, the boy gets lost in the factory where all presents are wrapped and shipped, and the intricate designs of the factory are breathtaking. The Polar Express is a fantastic film that uses the idea of magic to illustrate the delightful spirit of Christmas.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Eloise at Christmastime

Eloise at Christmastime is the story of an energetic six-year old who insists on bringing out Christmas spirit from everyone she meets. While living in the Plaza Hotel in New York City,  Eloise saves an old woman from homelessness, reunites two old lovers, and crashes a wedding all in the course of a few days. Eloise’s lively, upbeat spirit and stubborn personality makes for a more than a few laugh worthy scenes. The movie does a great job of incorporating the importance of family into the plot, reminding all watchers how important loved ones are around the holiday season. Eloise at Christmastime is a must see film for those who love children, a little trickery, and Christmas spirit.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack Skellington has grown tired of his life of scares. After the annual Halloween extravaganza Jack ponders a better life. He takes a stroll during the night and winds up in a mystical place in the middle of the woods. On the trees are portals into different holiday towns. Jack stumbles through the Christmas portal and falls in love with what he sees. White cottony snow, red and green illuminating the streets, rosy red cheeks of children at play, families putting up their stockings and practicing christmas traditions. All the things about Christmas that have become entwined with what makes the holiday so magical. He kidnaps Santa and takes to the streets to deliver joy and the christmas spirit himself. Director Tim Burton perfectly blends comedy and light heartedness with horror. This is a great movie to watch with friends to get into the Christmas spirit by reminding you of all the things that make it worthwhile.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Home Alone

Macaulay Culkin stars in this comedy adventure as 8 year old Kevin McCallister. This movie is all about the value and importance of family. The freedoms of being alone, grow tired and lonely quickly for Kevin after he is left at home when his family goes to Paris for the holidays. This is when Kevin realizes that he was being selfish and he really does love and miss his family.Things go sour as two burglars are stalking the neighborhood. He mans up and sets booby traps all over the house to entrap, hurt, and humiliate the people terrorizing his house.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars