Patch Picks: Christmas Movies

Finally, the tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, the shopping is done, the presents are wrapped—and you're exhausted. Whether you're trying to keep the little ones awake for midnight mass or just trying to get them to settle down enough to fall asleep before Santa comes, maybe a movie will help.

In no particular order, here are Patch's picks for the best Christmas movies (though, admittedly, some are just Christmas specials now available on DVD, Netflicks, etc.). So pour yourself a cup of eggnog, cuddle into your Snuggie and push play.

A Christmas Story

It may not be as old as the black and white classics we've watched for years, but this 1983 slice of Americana has something they don't: a TBS network 24-hour marathon. Catch Ralphie as he tries to convince the world that what he really needs for Christmas is an official "Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass and this thing which tells time built right in to the stock!" The marathon begins tonight at 8 p.m.!

Elf

If you're a Will Ferrell, fan, this 2003 feature-length film tells the tale of a man, Buddy, raised as an elf at the North Pole who now is sent out into the world to find his true identity. The movie features Ferrell's brand of humor and a star-studded cast (James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner, Mary Steenburgen, etc.).

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

How could this classic claymation not make our list? Ok, ok, so it shines an unflattering light on Santa and many of the reindeer, who snub Rudolph based on his looks (well, his bright red nose, anyway), until they need him. But all is well once Rudolph and company make new friends on the Island of Misfit Toys and then find their way back to the North Pole. Besides, we grew up watching the special year after year and it's hardly the holiday season if we don't get a glimpse of the Bumble (That's the abominable snowman to the rest of you) and a few notes from Burl Ives singing "Silver and Gold."

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Not feeling the sentimental Christmas special thing? Well, we're not going to go as far as reccommending Bad Santa—this is, after all, a kid-friendly list—but how about a movie that stars a skeleton king who tries to get his spooky subjects to celebrate Christmas? Find out how things go as the monsters and goblins in this Tim Burton film don't quite get the concept.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

With the resurgence of the Muppets, we could have gone for the obvious Muppet Christmas Carol, which would be a fine selection, but we're a tad more partial to Emmet Otter and his critter friends and mother who remind us that being together is what's important at Christmas time.

The Year Without a Santa Claus

What happens when Santa is sick and decides to take a year off from delivering toys? Two of his elves get into some trouble with Heat Miser and his brother Snow Miser. Luckily, Mrs. Claus knows goes over their heads to their mom, Mother Nature, to fix everything. We understand there was a 2006 remake of the 1974 claymation, but we say if you're going to go campy, go original campy.