Christmas break is approaching, and that means it’s time to whip out the classic Christmas movies and snuggle up on the couch with some hot cocoa and a fuzzy blanket. People may have different views on which Christmas movie is the best. It could the Home Alone series, the Grinch, Elf, the Polar Express, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, or How the Grinch Stole Christmas. But the quality of the movie doesn’t have to be the reason for why it’s the best. Many childhood memories could be sourced from family get-togethers of watching Christmas movies and opening presents.

“Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie,” said Joel Tranel, ‘21. “I watch it every year after Thanksgiving with my entire family.” Home Alone even causes some controversy in families too. “We always have an argument whether it says one or two woofs when they say buzz your girlfriend. My grandpa and I always get everyone to come to our side because we believe it says two woofs,” said Tranel.

Home Alone seems to be a student favorite, for Claire Walker, ‘22 agrees with Tranel. “All of the Home Alone movies are definitely my favorite Christmas movies,” said Walker. “The movies are really funny. Plus they seem like something my family would accidentally do.”

The first movie was even filmed near Walker’s old house. “It’s interesting to grow up watching a movie and then realizing that it was filmed on the neighborhood I used to live in,” Walker said.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is another classic for the Wilgenbusch family. “We watch it every year during the Christmas holidays with my family and relatives. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation has become a favorite of mine since it’s really funny and it puts me in the Christmas spirit,” said Millie Wilgenbusch, ‘19.

Watching movies may seem like a lazy thing to do, but Christmas movies can never be ridiculed. They can be funny, sad, filled with drama, or help us to see the true meaning of Christmas. Home Alone and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation may both be comedies, but they also fill everyone’s hearts with joy for Christmas.