Christmas Movies

These are the memory-makers of Christmas movies, they're the perfect thing for helping to get everyone into the holiday spirit. Who cares if the weather outside is frightful when good movies and family fun keep us warm?
Just a few classics are listed below, but don't settle for just a movie. Make it an event. Fun, family centered ideas are included to help you and your family get the most from your home theater this holiday season.

1. It's a Wonderful Life: No self respecting list of Christmas movies would be complete without this feel good classic. Who could forget the goodness of George and Mary Bailey who find themselves in the insidious clutches of mean and greedy Mr. Potter on what should be the happiest day of the year, Christmas Eve.
While watching keep hands and mouths busy eating and stinging popcorn. Once the movie is over and the happy ending tears are dry, it is time to trim the tree and the popcorn string is an old time touch the will attest to the goodness of this film. To make the popcorn strings more visually appealing add a few red or green beads into the mix.
Little hands might find the popcorn a challenge to string can still be included. Children as young as two enjoy stringing beads. Have them try stringing all beads or using hemp lines with knots at intervals to hold groups of beads together.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
There is the original cartoon version sans Jim Carey, or the longer live action movie...either is a good choice. We have Dr. Seuss to thank for both movies. In a classic tale, that could only have come from the mind and rhymes of Dr. Seuss we meet the lovably unlovable Grinch a foul, sour hearted creature that lives in isolation in the mountains near the utopian society of Whoville.
Employing his unwilling accomplice, Max his dog, and impersonating a certain rotund elf who wears red, the Grinch puts his plan into motion. At the last minute the Grinch has a change of heart, but is it too late to undo what he has already done? Gather the family around the TV and find out!
When all the movie fun is over, follow up with a night of family gift wrapping. This is a fun way to get the necessary work of gift wrapping done. An additional bonus is that you are getting it done early and with help!

3. Elf: Sneaking into Santa's sack in an orphanage as a toddler, Buddy the human-sized elf is far from fitting in Santa's workshop. Though proudly carrying more Christmas spirit than others, he is oversized and clumsy, and is reluctantly told by Papa Elf that his calling is in New York City. He must go find his father, Walter Hobbs, a disgruntled and naughty-listed children's book publisher, played by James Caan.
Buddy is played by Will Ferrell, who is in wonderful form, playing childish ignorance like only he can, and it is his journey around the Big Apple that brings the real fun.
After the movie, gather everyone around the kitchen table and get crafty! From simple holiday crafts to detailed homemade gifts, make it a night to bring out the creative elf in yourselves. For younger children, the footprint reindeer is a way to record their growth over the years. Older kids can make thoughtful gifts for other family members, helping them to understand that Christmas gifts from the heart are among the favorites every year. Check Christmas Crafts or Homemade Gifts for ideas.