To some, Christmas is a time of pensive contemplation, when thoughts and prayers are sent out to the less fortunate.  For me, it means throwing myself in front of the telly in a poncified state of excess and watching my favourite Christmas movies. Here’s a short guide to the best of seasonal celluloid.

“NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION”

I always kick off my holiday viewing with this one; Chevy Chase stars as the Christmas-obsessed Dad, determined to give his family the ‘perfect’ Christmas in the face of adversity.  Silly in the extreme, Christmas Vacation is never-the-less close enough to home to tickle the funny bone of anyone who has had a Christmas ‘en famille’.

Best Bits:  Randy Quaid as the redneck cousin introducing his dog, Snot (‘we call him that on account of his sinus condition’) and – of course – the spectacular Christmas lights (‘talk about pissing your money away.’)

“SCROOGE”

The musical version of ‘A Christmas Carol’, Albert Finny plays the legendary skin-flint. With a great musical score and a particularly  revolting Tiny Tim, Scrooge has never gained the recognition I feel it deserves – especially with  the sublime Alec Guinness stealing the show as the ghost of Jacob Marley.

Best Bit:  “What day is it, boy?”  “Why, sir – It’s CHRISTMAS day!” (Gotta be, doesn’t it.)

“A CHRISTMAS STORY”

The cutest kid actor of all time plays ‘Ralphie’, a Midwestern kid growing up in the ‘40s with his odd parents and younger brother (the second cutest kid actor of all time.)  The story is ‘narrated’ by a grown up ‘Ralphie’, and a child’s Christmas seen through his own, adult eyes is screamingly funny.

Best Bit: Meeting the sadistic department store Santa (“Beat it, kid”), and the little brother’s eating habits (revolting – but cute!).

“OLIVER!”

Okay, it’s not strictly speaking a ‘Christmas movie’, but “Oliver!” fucking rocks!

“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”

Everybody’s favourite Christmas movie – me included.  Jimmy Stewart plays the iconic ‘George Bailey’ who – with the help of his guardian angel -  learns that we all have a purpose on this earth, that we’re all ‘good’ people.

Best bits: The very end, when the townsfolk rally for George, save his life,  and the bell on the Christmas tree rings (I am actually teary-eyed now just thinking about it!)