The Christmas season is never complete without watching a few of your favorite holiday classics. This may include National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, Home Alone, or Miracle on 34^th street. However, there are “hidden gems” within the Christmas movie realm.

The Hidden Gem Award is given to the TV movies that are not as well-known as the classics, but are still worth the watch and an addition to the holiday experience.  The Hallmark channel has been airing their original Christmas movies since the first of November. Notable movies from Hallmark include Northpole, A Royal Christmas, and Hitched for the Holidays. These in addition to many others can be found on Hallmark or Lifetime and are an easy watch that are sure to warm your heart. Be sure to catch “Snow Bride” starring Katrina Law and Jordan Belfi, or “A Very Merry Mixup” starring Alicia Witt and Mark Wiebe as they are this years “hidden gems”.

Santa Claus is the iconic figure in many of the best Christmas movies, the following are considered The Best Santa for their roles in their respective films. In the older movies Edmund Gwenn, and Richard Attenborough from Miracle on 34th street, and the remake of Miracle on 34^th street take the spotlight. However, Tim Allen with his performances in The Santa Clause trilogy brings a jolly and happy face to the Christmas season that is perfect for the big man in red. In the animated world, Arthur Christmas brings the best and worst Santas together in the same movie. Arthur voiced by James McAvoy, has the caring heart, and will do whatever it takes to make sure every kid gets their present making him the best Santa, while Arthur’s older brother Steve, voiced by Hugh Laurie is all about upgrading the role of Santa, and taking away from what the true meaning of Christmas really is, making him the worst Santa.

The Best Animated Movie brings together an outstanding collection of both new and old.  From Mickey’s Once upon a Christmas to Frosty the Snowman, to The Nightmare Before Christmas, there are so many greats and classics it was difficult to pick a winner.  The award is split between two movies that separated themselves from the class. The Polar Express, became an instant classic once it hit theaters in 2004. It teaches everyone that all they have to do is believe in order to keep the Christmas magic alive. Arthur Christmas is the other great animated film. It is about the caring heart of someone keeping a promise they made, and their effort to not give up in order to keep that promise.  Throw in a cast of zany characters and the magic of Santa and his elves and you have a can’t miss classic.

The Best Childhood Classic is a three way tie. Santa Claus is coming to town, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer are the favorites from many childhoods such as mine.

The next award, The Most Quoted Movie, goes to….”You serious, Clark?” yes I am, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  This is the most quoted movie by a landslide. Hey Griswold, where do you think you’re gonna put an award that big?  This movie is filled with many interesting quotes from Clark’s rant, to Todd, and Margo’s conversations, and don’t forget Cousin Eddy. His few lines carry the movie and never get old.

The final award goes to the best Christmas movie. Honorable mentions for this award were; Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Miracle on 34^th Street, A Christmas Story, and The Christmas Carol. However, when it comes to the best Christmas movie the classics always win, It’s a Wonderful Life is such a good Christmas movie that you can find scenes in the background of other Christmas movies such as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

Look for many of these movies throughout the holiday season and Merry Christmas.

“Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me…….”