First, the books
1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I got this book when I was little and I love it because it's so funny. Yeah it has the schmaltzy story but if that's all I want there are thousands of versions of the story. I like Dickens voice and tone and humor.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. I love Seuss and while this isn't my favorite of his books it's wonderful anyway.
Well, I exhausted my holiday books quickly. I know there are others but they aren't ones I read as a matter of tradition and so they stay off the list. So onto movies.
3. A Muppet Christmas Carol. Like I just said, there are thousands of versions of A Christmas Carol out there but this one is the one I regularly watch. Why? Because it is almost exactly Dickens version of the story and quotes it directly over and over again. Plus I love muppets.
4. Babes in Toyland. For those that aren't familiar with this one, it's a Laurel and Hardy movie that was always on TV around the holidays. I got excited the other day when I saw it'll be airing on Thanksgiving. I should remember to set up the DVR for that, since I don't think I'll be able to talk others into watching it.
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I don't really branch out much with my movies but I love Seuss and this one has singing by Tony the Tiger! What's not to love?
OK, so that's actually the end of my regular books and movies. I guess we don't have a lot of regular traditions. For Thanksgiving we usually watch a movie but it depends on what's on TV. There's usually a Bond marathon going on so we'll catch part of that. Last year we all watched Die Hard and I wouldn't mind if that ended up a tradition. After I told my dad about my Halloween he asked me to bring Rocky Horror with me this year so maybe that will end up a regular thing because nothing says family gatherings and giving thanks like a group of singing alien transvestites.
What are your favorite holiday books, movies, TV shows, whatever?
Update! While I looked through other people's lists I remembered on more movie/TV show I love around the holidays. The Rankin and Bass TV movie The Year Without Santa Claus. I love the Heat Miser and Snow Miser songs. I like the other Rankin and Bass movies but this is my favorite, followed in close second by the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer movie because of the Island of the Misfit Toys and the Abominable Snowman.
