Beachy Christmas Wreath

I've never made a Christmas wreath before, so this was my very first attempt.  I wanted it to be beachy, but still clearly say, "Merry Christmas!"  I hope this one does just that. 

For some reason as much as I love to make crafts, which is supposed to be just a fun hobby, I still find myself getting irritated when everything doesn't go exactly how I plan it to go.  This wreath was pretty simple though (even though I almost wish it had more shells).  And this year, I've been really wanting to do Christmasy things (note: the previous posts on seashell Christmas ornaments). 

All in all, an evening spent making a Christmas wreath and listening to the Chrismas mix CDs I recently put together for myself and a few friends is a pretty nice evening. 

Now I think I'll pop in a holiday movie and make some hot chocolate! 

Top 25 Favorite Holiday Movies

With the holidays approaching, I thought I'd take the time to compile a list of my 25 favorite holiday movies.  Some may be a stretch as to whether or not they can actually be classified as a "holiday" movie, but they are great to watch this time of year anyway!

 

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I love this movie so much.  It's got to be one of the happiest movies ever made, and no Christmas is complete without it. 

 

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra movies pretty much represent the best of humankind, and this one is no exception.  It's the story of a man who realizes the value of his life when he is given the rare gift of seeing what the world would be like without him.  It makes you step back and appreciate what you've been given and the people around you, just in time for Christmas. 

A Christmas Carol (1938)

This is my favorite film version of Charles Dickens' classic novel. 

The Bishop's Wife (1947)

This is one of my very favorite movies of all time.  Originally a novel by Robert Nathan, it tells the story of an angel who visits a bishop and his wife in answer to his prayer for help amidst the church's financial problems.  The angel Cary Grant brings everything together in time for Christmas and reminds the whole family what they have to be thankful for.  It's a completely charming and wonderful story. 

 

Prancer (1989)

My mother and I watch this one every year, and the end makes us cry every time.  It's a heartwarming tale of a little girl's unwavering faith amidst her family's personal and financial troubles. 

White Christmas (1954)

This is actually loosely based on Holiday Inn, the film in which audiences first heard Bing Crosby sing Irving Berlin's White Christmas.  Two pairs of performers combine their talents to save an inn in Vermont and fall in love in the process.  As a big fan of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, I love to see them together in this movie. 

Holiday Inn (1942)

I actually like this one better than White Christmas.  There is a fairly typical love triangle, but the musical numbers are wonderful, and Fred Astaire's dancing makes any movie worth watching at least once. 

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)

A group of nuns and a priest work together to keep their school going when it appears their building is about to be condemned, and there is no money to fix it.  Friendly rivalry over teaching situations occurs between Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman) and Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby), but they both have the students' best interests at heart.  Part of the film takes place at Christmastime, and the theme of spreading good will makes it a classic just right for the holidays.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 cartoon)

In my opinion, this beats the Jim Carrey movie every time. 

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

This is a fun movie about a columnist (she writes about cooking and household matters) who has pretended to her readers and her boss that she is the perfect housewife.  Trouble begins when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves to her lovely fictional home in the country for a traditional Christmas dinner.  I love to watch Barbara Stanwyck in lighter roles, and she is great in this one!

Holiday Affair (1949)

This is a lovely film starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh.  She is a widow with a son who lost her husband to the war, and he is a sales clerk.  The romance begins when she accidentally causes him to lose his job.  There is something about this movie that is bittersweet, and it is fairly predictable, but nonetheless a joy to watch. 

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

I include Meet Me in St. Louis in my top 10 favorite movies of all time.  The plot is so simple:  a midwestern family looking forward to the World's Fair during the holidays.  Yet it is timeless.  The themes of family and home are so apparent throughout, especially when the father's job threatens to send them to New York.  The costumes and sets are lush and beautiful, and the musical numbers sung by Judy Garland are some of the best performances of her career.  There is still no one who sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas like Judy. 

In the Good Old Summertime (1949)

This is another Christmas classic starring Judy Garland.  There are fewer songs in this one, and they aren't as good as the Meet Me in St. Louis songs, and that is because June Allyson was initially cast to play the part, and singing was not her strong point.  To me, Judy is always a joy to watch in any movie.  This one also stars Van Johnson, Spring Byington, Buster Keaton, and S.Z. Sakall, and was one of the films that inspired Nora Ephron's You've Got Mail. 

The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

This is another film on which You've Got Mail is based, although not a musical like In the Good Old Summertime.  Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, it's the story of two competing shop employees who are unknowingly exchanging love letters with each other during the holidays.  Depending on my mood, sometimes I actually prefer this version over You've Got Mail. 

Little Women (1994)

Usually when there are multiple versions of a film, I prefer the older ones, but this is probably the only occasion where I actually prefer the most recent rendition.  Next to To Kill a Mockingbird, this is probably my favorite film adaptation of a novel.  It is cast so perfectly, and it really brings the beloved novel to life with beautiful costumes, scenery, and music. 

Since You Went Away (1944)

This is another one that always makes me cry.  One of Claudette Colbert's best performances, she plays a woman dealing with issues on the homefront while her husband is away at war.  Its impressive cast also includes Joseph Cotten, Jennifer Jones, Robert Walker, Shirley Temple, Lionel Barrymore, Monty Woolley, Hattie McDaniel, and Agnes Moorehead. 

You've Got Mail (1998)

Romantic comedies are always great at Christmas, and in my book, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks definitely get added to the list of timeless Hollywood screen pairings. 

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Another Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan classic that some people prefer over You've Got Mail.  I love them both! 

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

I have to admit, I wasn't really familiar with this until recently, but I loved it.  It's simple, and it captures the true meaning on Christmas. 

 

The Holiday 2006)

I just find this movie fun to watch.  For one, there are many classic movie references, but I think I also like the idea of the two main characters escaping their daily lives and having adventures. 

 

 

Remember the Night (1940)

 

I just watched this movie for the first time, and it was fun to watch Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in a completely different setting from Double Indemnity.  This is a charming movie about a shoplifter whose case in court has been postponed until after Christmas, during which time she would have spent in jail if Fred MacMurray's character hadn't taken pity on her and eventually invited her to spend Christmas with his family.  And I bet you can guess the rest! 

 

 

Meet John Doe (1941)

 

This movie makes my list because it ends on Christmas Eve, but also because Frank Capra films are great for the holidays in that they make you feel warm and fuzzy and positive about the human race!

 

 

It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)

 

I just watched this for the first time last night, and it was a really cute movie.  A hobo moves into a millionaire's empty home during the holidays, and eventually he makes some friends that move in with him (ex-servicemen and their families who can't find apartments in NY).  The catch is that the millionaire and his family gradually come back and pretend not to be themselves, by request of the daughter who has fallen in love with one of the men living there.  By the end of the film, the millionaire has learned a few life lessons from his humble houseguests just in time for Christmas. 

 

 

The Preacher's Wife (1996)

 

A modern remake of The Bishop's Wife, this is a pretty enjoyable movie too.  Whitney Houston shines and is absolutely beautiful, and who wouldn't love to have Denzel Washington visit as an angel?! 

 

 

Love Actually (2003)

 

This movie actually took some time to grow on me.  There are parts of it that are a little crude, and given the nature of this blog, I'm sure it's clear that I mostly prefer classic, black and white movies.  However, there are also parts of it that are so touching and human that I began to love it! 

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!