Last night I watched Eloise at Christmastime. I love Christmas movies. Actually, I’m fond of most Christmas media—short stories, books, and movies, in particular. Eloise at Christmastime was a movie I’d never seen, and I’ve seen most of the “old favorites” and a lot of others.
Like many Christmas movies, it was a bit over the top. But it was light, bright, and fun—like Eloise herself. I found it on Amazon Prime. I loved it. Who wouldn’t love a Christmas movie set in a dazzling hotel bedecked in glittering fir trees, festoons, wreaths, and all manner of Christmas dazzle that features a precocious six-year-old girl wreaking havoc in the most loving of ways and a gold-digging man about to marry the super-rich hotel owner’s daughter. There are to boot—largely in caricature—a nanny, an absentee mother, star-crossed lovers, and befuddled hotel staff. Don’t expect too much depth. Like everything Eloise, it’s delicious frolic.
After the movie, I began considering some of my Christmas media favorites. Other than the ultimate Christmas story of God’s great gift found in all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), what are some of your seasonal favorites? Some answers will likely depend on your age, your memories, times you associate with the narrative, your particular taste, or genre favorites (comedy, fantasy, drama, etc.) I find (nostalgic, sentimental type that I am) many of my favorites are old movies, old short stories, etc., but not all. Many of the movies I adore and have seen over and over again were made long before I was born—and many of the stories were written long before I made my appearance also. It alarms me to realize some of the movies I consider recent are rapidly becoming vintage as well. In no particular order, here is the list of favorite Christmas movies, short stories, and books I’ve come up with. I’m sure the minute I push the publish button, I’ll think of a ton of others.
Movies:
Meet Me in St. Louis
A Wonderful Life
Christmas in Connecticut
Holiday Inn
White Christmas
Miracle on 34th Street
The Shop Around the Corner
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Holly and the Ivy
A Christmas Story
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Elf
Short Stories:
“A Christmas Carol” (Charles Dickens)
“A Christmas Memory” (Truman Capote)
“The Gift of the Magi” (O. Henry)
Books:
Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
Skipping Christmas (John Grisham, later made into the movie Christmas with the Kranks)
Polar Express (Chris Van Allsburg)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Dr. Seuss)
Story Mill Ranch 
Just watched “The Man Who Came to Dinner” before reading your blog. What a parade of memorable personalities. The characters in so many Christmas movies overshadow the plot. Just like family we love one another for who they are, not what they do.
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Yes, I find the characters s interesting! And I always enjoy Monty Woolley in movies. He was a unique actor.
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Been a while since I’ve seen it, but I’m glad to see Christmas Vacation on your list. Great movie to show that we love each other despite all our familial dysfunction.
Over here we love Elf too.
Off the top of my head, two I don’t see on your list that we love over here:
– The Christmas Chronicles (1 and 2)
– A Dog Named Christmas
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Thanks for the two additional suggestions! I have not seen either ( or read) either. Are they movies or books or both? I will have to find them.
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