After all the Christmas presents have been unwrapped and the last piece of pie has been eaten, I offer these movies for a lazy Christmas afternoon on the couch with a blanket or in front of a roaring fire.

Here they are in no particular order.

1. “It’s a Wonderful Life” – Frank Capra’s black-and-white film is classic holiday fare showing that there are angels among us and in the most unlikely characters. George Bailey definitely has a wonderful life in Bedford Falls. Did you know that, the movie wasn't considered to be a holiday classic until regular runs on TV during the 70s. Stars Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore.

2. “Miracle on 34th Street” (the original) – I believe in Santa Claus or Kris Kringle and it’s all because of a very young Natalie Wood. It makes you happy to watch Wood to restore her faith in Santa even if a court of law has to prove it to the rest of New York and love for Wood's mom, the lovely Maureen O’Hara. Though it was remade in 1994, it’s not quite the same. Why eat store-bought pecan, when you can get homemade?

3. “White Christmas” – Being a song-and-dance girl, this is my favorite musical for the holiday season. The voices of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney (yes, George’s auntie) mixed with the humor of Danny Kaye and the dance moves of Vera-Ellen is just plan heaven to me! Set during war time, Crosby and Kaye set out to save their former general’s holiday inn with Clooney and Vera-Ellen in tow. The plot is simple, the songs are the sing-a-long kind, and it was one of the highest grossing films of 1954.

4. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their roles as the head of the Griswold family during the Yuletide season and let’s just say the hilarity ensues. From the physical comedy of Chase to the electro shock of the family cat, you will find yourself laughing out loud even if you have watched it 20 times. Chase is still funny 20 years later. Enough said.

5. “A Christmas Carol” – Whether is old or new, the premise is the same – Scrooge is visited by three ghosts and learns the meaning of Christmas. Take your pick of the old films or the new one, they are all good.

6. “A Christmas Story” – Laugh along at the times of Ralphie Parker in his quest for a Red Rider BB gun and all that it entails. If you haven’t heard Ralphie’s mother say “But you’ll shoot your eye out,” Ralphie and his brother bullied or kids with their tongues stuck to a frozen pole don’t worry TBS usually shows it for 24 hours on either Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. Stars Peter Billingsly, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin.

7. “Die Hard” – Not thought of as the a-typical Christmas holiday movie but John McClane is coming to spend the holiday with his wife and child but before he can there are international terrorists to deal with and take care of. Blood and bullets later, Hans Grubber is no more along with his not-so-merry band of men. And we, the viewers, are reminded yes it is Christmas as the McClane family drives away to a Christmas tune.

8. “Elf” – Comic genus Will Ferrell tickles my funny bone as Buddy, a normal sized man raised as an elf by good ole Saint Nick. Just like 90 percent of Christmas movies, Buddy gains a family, meets a girl and saves Christmas in New York City. It has all the elements of a holiday flick – family bonds, funny moments and a little romance. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing TV legends Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and Ed Asner as Santa. Good times. Good times.

9. “The Santa Clause” – The first Tim Allen film is the best of the three. His transformation into the big jolly fat man is a red suit is unique in its own right. Any movie with Santa, it has to be good.

10. “Babes in Toyland” – This is a childhood favorite of mine. The Disney movie features America’s sweetheart Annette Funicello with the handsome Tony Sands, as Mary Contray and Tom Piper go through many, many trials to get back to one another. Plus, they have to help make enough toys in Toyland for Christmas. Blame it on the Disney Channel for my love of this movie. Everyone deserves to be a kid at Christmas.



Leslie N. Dees is the managing editor of The Star-Herald. You can email her at editor@starherald.net or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lndees