By now you have completed your final exams and have checked out for a much needed break. Congratulations on making it through fall term. It was certainly one for the records.
Because we are still dealing with what seems like a never-ending COVID-19 pandemic, this winter break might be a little different for you. Some of you might be traveling very little, or not at all. Perhaps you will not be headed home to be with family this year. So what will you do if you are staying put this year?
Might I suggest binging “The Best Christmas Movies of All Time” according to Rotten Tomatoes. There are 62 movies on the list! I haven’t seen them all but here are my top five favorite holiday flicks:
5. White Christmas (1954) – Who can pass up Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”? And let’s be honest, if you don’t tear up a little when Bing and his pals put on a musical extravaganza to save the General’s country inn, then you are channeling to much Grinch.
4. Home Alone (1990) – I never watched this movie until I was an adult with kids of my own and, as a parent, I have mixed feelings about Kevin’s behavior and his dysfunctional family, but I enjoy watching it with my kids and counting the number times Harry and Marv should have ended up in the hospital or, more likely, the morgue. I know…it’s morbid but we really can’t watch this without pointing out every single plot hole. (Bonus, for more morbid holiday fun, check out Home Alone 2!)
3. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) – I’m a sucker for Judy Garland and this one has some great songs, including the very best version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. I mean come on… how can you not love this?
2. A Christmas Carol (1951) – There are countless versions of this story (including my personal favorite that includes Barbie and her little sister) and I don’t know if this is the best version, but the story of Ebenezer Scrooge treating everyone really bad and then being visited by a group of Christmas spirits who teach him about holiday cheering and caring is a classic holiday theme. Spoiler alert…Ebenezer does a complete personality 180, saves Christmas and “God Bless Us Everyone!” is born.
1. Die Hard – I’m on the side that contends this is, in fact, a Christmas movie. The whole story takes place at a company Christmas party so I’m not really sure how you argue against it being a Christmas movie when it clearly is. Besides, it has everything… action, holiday music, inept terrorists, Bruce Willis and the guy who played that loveable Dad on Family matters. What’s not to love? (FYI…Die Hard 2 also a Christmas movie.)
Honorable mentions to my list include the Rankin/Bass version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (again…the plot holes alone make this worth the annual viewing! Plus, Santa is such a jerk in this movie!!), Elf (Come on… Will Ferrell and spontaneous singing in Central Park? Yes please.) and The Nightmare before Christmas (classic Tim Burton animation, great music and both Halloween and Christmas themes? What’s not to love?)
Whatever you end up doing during winter break, be sure you are staying safe and taking care of yourself and each other. Student Services will be open during the winter break so please reach out if you are in need of support.
Happy holidays!
