Getting in the Christmas Spirit

December comes quickly every year, and sometimes it can be quite a lot to take in, especially if you are trying to knock off everything off that big gift list.

Sometimes we do forget our Christmas Spirit, because it is the most stressful time of the year for some parents, especially when hunting down the latest and greatest of things.

So I have spent some time putting together lists of Christmas songs, movies and books that will help even the biggest Grinch or Humbug to even get the smallest ounce of Christmas spirit.

Movies

Love Actually

 

The movie is based around 8 different couples leading into a busy Christmas season in London. Starring people like Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman.

Elf

 

A man who has been raised as one of Santa’s elves, causes problems in the elf community, and is then sent into the big world to discover his identity. Starring Will Ferrell

The Santa Clause

 

A man in the midst of divorce and is the biggest grinch, accidently kills Santa as he does his rounds. And more or less becomes the new Santa. Starring Tim Allen.

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

 

Whether you are a fan of the Dr Suess Cartoon or Jim Carey’s version of the Grinch, this movie continues to be one of the most remembered Christmas stories around.

The Grinch is a mean spirited Green creature that plots to ruin Christmas for all the Christmas loving Who’s in Whoville.

A Christmas Carol

A classic that will never stop being regenerated for generations. Written by Charles Dickins. From the Muppets Christmas Carol to Bill Murray’s Scrooged, the tale that never loses it’s punch line. It’s a time of giving and love for everyone around you.

The story is based around a rich man named Ebenezer Scrooge, a man who loves his money and taxes everyone to maintain his wealth. And never ever gives. With Christmas looming, he hates the warmth and joy it brings people. On the night of Christmas eve, he is visited by the spirits of Christmas to try change his fated path.

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

 

A Christmas movie that is as classic as they come, it is also a movie that is seen being watched by people in other movies.

An Angel tries to show a man what life would of been like if he had never existed.

Polar Express

 

This movie is becoming a fast Christmas favourite, as the story follows a boy who is beginning to lose his Christmas spirit, and is magically whisked away on a rollercoaster ride on the Polar Express where he visits the North Pole.

Miracle on 34th Street

 

This is a personal favourite of my Mother’s and my best friend. The movie has been done twice, in 1947 and 1994.

The movie follows an old man who claims to be the jolly man himself, and is placed in confinement for being insane. A lawyer tries to defend him in court, saying he is the real deal.

Home Alone

 

No list is complete without this movie. Macaulay Culkin, plays a young boy in a massive family, who are going on holiday by plane. When he wakes up the morning of the trip, he finds that all his family have rushed off without him, leaving him alone in his home. The boy the has to defend his home from burglars in hilarious ways.

I also recommend Home Alone 2 – Alone in New York, because it is just as good as the first in my opinion. Pigeon Lady is Love! And it has Tim Curry!

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

 

This one was actually highly requested by my American friends, and I honestly have never heard of this one, but I think it will be something I will need to see this Christmas.

A Giant family Christmas gathering turns into a giant disaster!

Honorable mentions

Nightmare before Christmas

A Tim Burton Favourite to many. It follows Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King and the many creatures of Halloween Town as they try to take over Christmas.

Die Hard

No Christmas is complete without Watching McClane beat off a bunch of terrorists crashing a Christmas Party. Starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman

Gremlins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nGd36NhmTE

A boy recieves a strange creature for a present, with strange instructions. After failing to follow the strange instructions, something horrible follows, and the town ends up fighting off green monsters.

The 1960’s Claymation Christmas Specials
(Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,  The Little Drummer Boy &  The Year without A Santa Claus)

Growing up every morning I woke up to a claymation cartoon containing Rudolph adventuring with an elf to a land of misfits. Silver Bells, And a red headed young Santa. It was something that made me believe it really was Christmas time. You can now get these old classics on DVD now. I am making sure I get it myself this year.

Books

The Night before Christmas

twas the night before christmas

 

A story that is known by almost everyone

12 Days of Christmas

9780718193577

Not only is this a song, but it is a book as well. Who doesn’t like to sing 5 Golden Rings as loudly as they can?

A Christmas Carol – By Charles Dickens

9780141324524

 

Well the movies had to come from somewhere!

The Nutcracker

9780143122500

How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Dr Suess

9780007170241

 

A Bear named song – Kimberly Anne Shope

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A mother’s assertion that “When something valuable goes out of your life, something more precious enters” is proved twice in her daughter’s life, once through an exchange of toys and years later through an adoption.

The Wombat Divine – Mem Fox

wombat-divine

Wombat loves everything about Christmas–especially the Nativity play. He’s wanted to be in it for as long as he can remember. At last he’s old enough to try out. But at the auditions, the first part goes to someone else. So does the next. And the next . . . Will there be a part left for Wombat?

The Watchmaker who saved Christmas – Bruce Whatley

the-watchmaker-who-saved-christmas

Santa has a special watch that slows down time so that he can deliver all his presents around the world. But when his watch breaks, a deaf boy sacrifices his precious hearing aid to help fix it. Can Santa’s special watchmaker fix the watch in time to meet a special Christmas deadline?

Songs

Jingle Bells

This is actually the most liked Christmas song ever, doesn’t matter who sings it, or what tempo it plays. People just want to Jingle some bells.

So this is Christmas (War is over) – John Lennon

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWH2AVSrww

Carol of the Bells – The haunting singing of choir boys.

All I want for Christmas (is you) – Mariah Carey

No Christmas is complete without this 90’s gem. No Beibers allowed.

Silent Night

The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky

There are many stories, songs and a ballet about the Nutcracker Prince. Not only is the music amazing and beautiful, the story is equally as amazing and beautiful.

The video here is a glimpse of a cartoon my sister and I watched growing up.

Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rhea

Missing you most (At Christmas Time) – Mariah Carey

Joy to the World

I hope this is a list someone might find helpful to bring on the Christmas spirit, or even gift ideas. A mix tape on a long journey to family or friends. Or just a nice quiet movie night/week.

Don’t forget to Jingle some Bells now!

Thank you to all the people that helped me make the list. I had so many more I could of added to this list, but I went with the top 10 recommendations in all groups!

Merry Christmas.

Guest Contributor

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