There is nothing better in December (for me) than curling up with a good Christmas book or watching a classic movie. It reminds me to be more positive and embrace the joy of the season.
I don’t often make lists of books or movies I recommend, but I have decided to make an exception. Here is my list for the holidays that is sure to make you smile.
What does this have to do with writing? Everything. Stories inspire us—those we read and those we watch. I love classic and modern movies. I am addicted to books. Whenever I can share those passions, I will. This seemed a great opportunity.
Favorite Seasonal Stories:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
It’s a classic for a reason. Besides, who needs a reason to read Dickens?
Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
It isn’t Christmas Eve without this one.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
This classic captures the spirit of the season.
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus by Francis Pharcellus Church
Do you need a reason to believe? This has it.
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
A wonderful reminder of what is important.
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Inspiring letters from the king of fantasy.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
While this one is not a Christmas book, who can deny the magic of Harry’s first real Christmas? No, I am not counting getting an old sock as a real present.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Another book that is not technically a Christmas book, but it does have an iconic holiday scene that will capture your heart.
Favorite Christmas Picture Books:
A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schulz
This is the classic animated story in book form.
Santa Trap by Jonathan Emmett
This is a great story about a naughty boy who tries to exact his revenge on Santa for not caving to his demands for toys.
A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe
A sweet story about a tree that has grown too tall to fulfill his goal of being a Christmas tree and how his fiends convince him that he is their present just as he is.
Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera
Where does Auntie Claus disappear to every year? Sophie decides to find out.
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner
Another snowman book that tells what these icy beings do to celebrate Christmas.
Olive the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Semibold
Olive mishears a popular Christmas carol and believes she must be a reindeer. This is what happens when she arrives at the North Pole.
Russell’s Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton
Russell decides to wait up for Santa and ends up saving Christmas.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
There are few books that capture the spirit of Christmas as well as this one does. Who doesn’t want an invitation to ride the Polar Express to the North Pole to see Santa off on Christmas Eve?
Merry Christmas, Splat! by Rob Scotton
Poor Splat worries that he has not done enough to prove that he is nice enough for a good present from Santa and sets out to fix that.
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Bear decides to wake from his hibernation long enough to celebrate with his friends.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
What can I say about this classic? It’s the Grinch. Enough said.
And the Christmas Eve classic: The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Seasonal Movies:
Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman compete to keep a school alive. This film will make you want to cheer.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The classic Jimmy Stewart film that defines the meaning of the season. This should be on everyone’s watch list.
Holiday Inn (1942)
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire shine as the crooner and hoofer who woo a new performer at the Inn that only opens at Christmastime.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This is my favorite version of this movie. Edmund Gwenn is the perfect Santa. Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara are pretty great too. This is the movie if you want to believe in Santa.
White Christmas (1945)
Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and more appear in this musical about two soldiers who try to save their former commanding officer’s inn from going under. Great songs.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
Cary Grant as an angel. Do I need to say more? This was remade years later with Whitney Houston, but this version is so much better.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Barbara Stanwyck stars in a movie about a woman everyone thinks is a Martha Stewart-type, but that is all in danger when a film crew wants to show her making a traditional Christmas. She can’t cook or do anything domestic. This is a fun movie.
A Christmas Carol (1984 or 2009)
Whether you like George C. Scott (known for Patton) or Jim Carrey, you can’t go wrong. Both are great versions of this film. Or maybe you like comedy? Then try Scrooged from the list below.
More Modern Films:
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Dan Stevens (of Beauty and the Beast and Downton Abbey fame) does a great job embodying Charles Dickens in this story of how A Christmas Carol came about.
Elf
Will Farrell as one of Santa’s elves. It’s classic silliness.
The Santa Clause
Tim Allen becomes Santa Claus when the real Santa falls off his roof. The Santa Clause 2 is also fun.
Rise of the Guardians
The story behind Jack Frost and the rest of the legendary figures who guard children. This one features Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Sandman and more.
The Holiday
Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet exchange houses during Christmas.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The live action version of the Grinch with Jim Carrey. Or go see the newest version voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch (though this is a much kinder version of the Grinch with a sad backstory to explain away his grumpiness and not the traditional Grinch from the book).
While You Were Sleeping
A fun favorite starring Sandra Bullock who will go to extreme lengths not to be alone at Christmas.
Love, Actually
The quintessential ensemble Christmas movie from England.
Scrooged
Bill Murray at his grumpiest.
The Polar Express
This motion capture movie brings the book to life.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is what happens when the King of Pumpkins tries to take over Christmas. It’s wonderful and quirky.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
I love this classic cartoon that tells the story of how Santa became Santa.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
It wouldn’t be Christmas without this one.
What books or movies would you add to this list?