Top 10 Christmas Movies

A while back, I surveyed my readers on their favorite Christmas movies. Many of you said how much you'd love to see NORTH POLE HIGH turned into a movie (thank you!). But here are your top ten picks of Christmas movies that have already been made:

1. A CHRISTMAS STORY

Based on the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd, this Christmas classic from the director of Black Christmas and Porky's runs continuously all Christmas Day on TBS and is also a Broadway musical!

2. MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Santa Claus won an Oscar for his appearance in this 1947 classic in which he goes to court to prove, once and for all, that he's real.

3. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Based on a self-published short story, The Greatest Gift, by Philip Van Doren Stern. The author printed 200 copies and sent them out as Christmas cards. One of those landed at RKO and the rest is history.

4. ELF

A baby accidentally stows away in Santa's sleigh and is raised in the North Pole as an elf. As an adult, he realizes he's human and sets off to find his father in New York City. Based on a true story. Really.

5. SCROOGED

Bill Murray is a cynical TV executive in charge of a live Christmas Eve broadcast of A Christmas Carol when he is visited by three ghosts who convince him he should have done The Sound of Music instead.

6. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

The Griswolds have kind of had it with traveling. Perhaps if they stay home for a quiet family Christmas dinner their luck will change?

7. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

This one scares the chocolate out of me because Jack Skellington kidnaps my dad. Skellingtonnnnnn! If you must watch this one, please don't get any ideas.

8. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: THE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS

Belle shows the Beast the beauty in Christmas!

9. THE POLAR EXPRESS

Tom Hanks plays Santa Claus, a train conductor, a hobo, a young boy, and the boy's father, and narrates this young boy's magical adventures in the North Pole. Based on the 1985 book by Chris Van Allsburg.

10. EMMET OTTER'S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS

The Muppets bring to life Russell Hoban's Gift-of-the-Magi-esque 1971 story with songs by Paul Williams, a former elf who later wrote "The Rainbow Connection" for The Muppet Movie and all the songs for The Muppet Christmas Carol.

'Tis the season to enjoy your favorite Christmas movies all over again. With crushed candy canes sprinkled in your popcorn.

What's On My Christmas Playlist?

Obviously I love Christmas music. But what are my favorite carols? Here are the top tunes on my playlist right now:

#1 (with a snowflake)

“We Need A Little Christmas” by the Glee cast. I may need more Christmas than most, but everybody needs a little Christmas now, so I am super happy the Glee cast reintroduced this classic from the Broadway musical Mame to contemporary audiences.

#2 (with a sprig of mistletoe)

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by The Jackson 5. Technically, nobody should be allowed to sing this song except me and my brother. Santa’s our daddy and he’s not allowed to kiss anyone but our mommy. But watching our parents kiss is gross, so Frostbite and I would never sing about it. Therefore, we pick Michael Jackson’s version as our favorite.

#3 (with a caveat)

“Nothin’ For Christmas” by Eartha Kitt. Rape awareness may not be the most appropriate topic for a Christmas song, but at least it’s better than Eartha’s other Christmas hit, “Santa Baby.” I mean, really, back off, lady. That’s my father you’re singing about. (See #2)

#4 (with a Christmas tree)

“The Christmas Song” by anybody. Composed by a velvet frog(*) and originally recorded by Nat King Cole, this chestnut has been sung by many wonderful musicians, from Big Bird, Doris Day, and the Partridge Family, to Raven-Symoné, Demi Lovato, and CeeLo Green! Take your pick and have a merry sing-along.

#5 (with a candy cane)

“The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by The Chipmunks. I know exactly how Alvin feels when he sings about his impatience for the most wonderful time of the year to hurry up and arrive. I hope he got his hula hoop.

BONUS TRACK

(selected by my best friend, Snowflake)

“Hey Santa!” by  Carnie & Wendy Wilson. A much happier ending than “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” which sounds sweet but then goes, “if only in my dreams,” and I’m all, that’s sad, and who wants to be sad at Christmas?

BONUS TRACK #2

(brand new!)

“If Every Day Was Christmas” by Summer Watson. This magical wish beautifully expresses how I feel when I meet someone like Rudy who hates Christmas. Oh, if every day was Christmas! I’m so glad people are still writing fresh, new Christmas songs. This one just dropped on November 26, 2013.

Listen for these tracks and more on The Sounds of Christmas with the best variety of Christmas music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

And don't forget to stop by the #SantaChat Christmas Twitter party co-hosted by Sounds of Christmas!

North Pole Top 5 Non-Christmas Songs

I know some of you think it's still too early for Christmas, but it's Music Monday and you HAVE to sing.

Soooo, here are the top five songs on the North Pole High Carolers hit parade that have nothing to do with Christmas.

5. Brand New Key
by
Melanie

4. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
by
Mary Poppins
and
Bert the Chimney Sweep

3. Mahna Mahna
by
The Muppet Show

2. Pure Imagination
by
William Wonka

1. Open Up Your Heart
(and let the sunshine in)
by
Pebbles Flintstone
&
Bamm-Bamm Rubble

There you have it. Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the star atop the Christmas tree! :)

xoxo