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The holidays are a wonderful time to snuggle up with loved ones and watch your favorite Christmas movies. It may be cold and dark outside, but it’s warm and inviting inside your house. Twinkling colored lights create a festive atmosphere, and your Christmas tree smells wonderful! Time for a cup of cocoa and a movie!
For Day 4 of Blogmas, I’d like to share some of my favorite Christmas movies. As a personal finance blogger, my number one choice involves a man on the brink of financial ruin, and how he is able to overcome this challenge. It’s never too late to change your money story!
I’ve also included a delicious recipe for herbal popcorn seasoning! Popcorn is inexpensive to prepare, and you’ll save even more money if you borrow the movies from the library. Pop up some tasty treats, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Table of Contents
My Favorite Christmas Movie Of All Time
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) – Without a doubt, It’s A Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite Christmas movie. The funny thing is, when this movie came out in 1946, it was not a box office hit. However, over the years it has become a classic Christmas movie.
It’s an uplifting story of a selfless man who experiences a financial crisis and contemplates suicide. His inexperienced guardian angel helps him see how he really has had a wonderful life and the story ends on a happy note. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed were perfect in this movie!
For some fun facts about the movie, check out these 6 things you probably didn’t know about ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.
A Close Second – Funny Christmas Movie
A Christmas Story (1983) – Another favorite Christmas movie that I find hilarious is A Christmas Story. Although the movie came out in 1983, the story is set in the 1940s in an area of the country where I grew up. As a result, I recognized many of the landmarks and rituals in the movie!
The things little 9-year old Ralphie goes through to get the Christmas present of his dreams will keep you laughing. I’ll never get tired of this movie!
Other Favorite Christmas Movies
While You Were Sleeping (1995) – A charming romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock (who plays such a sweet character), Bill Pullman and Peter Gallagher. The story is set at Christmas time and has plenty of funny moments.
The Family Man (2000) – This movie could be the modern version of It’s A Wonderful Life. It features Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni in a story about a man whose ideas about success and making money are challenged when his guardian angel shows him what his life might have looked like in an alternate universe.
I really enjoyed Nicolas Cage’s performance in this romantic comedy-drama that takes place during Christmas!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) – This line “Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus” came from this old black & white movie. Makes you think about the true meaning of Christmas.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) – This one’s a childhood favorite.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – An animated favorite! We used to watch this every year as children.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1967) – Another animated favorite that highlights the true meaning of Christmas. The songs stick with you, too!
Now that you have some movies lined up to watch, you’ll need some snacks!
Delicious Herbal Popcorn
All the ingredients for making this herbal popcorn seasoning mix can be purchased in bulk at the health food store. Purchasing in bulk is often less expensive, as you only purchase the amount you need and don’t have to pay for packaging. Be eco-friendly and bring your own containers to the store!
This delicious herbal popcorn seasoning mix also makes a nice Christmas gift! Package the mix in a pretty jar with directions for use. Add some gourmet or heirloom popcorn and a bottle of high-heat oil for popping such as cold-pressed grapeseed oil or avocado oil. You now have a lovely present, ready to please!
Herbal Popcorn Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast powder
- ¼ cup dried thyme
- ¼ cup dried basil
- 1 cup cheddar cheese powder
- 1/4 cup dried marjoram
- ½ cup nutritional yeast powder
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne powder (optional)
Using a spice grinder (or a dedicated coffee grinder that you use only for herbs – you wouldn’t want to eat coffee flavored popcorn or drink herb flavored coffee!) powder the marjoram, thyme and basil. Mix thoroughly with the other ingredients. Store your herbal popcorn seasoning mix in an airtight glass container away from heat and light (to preserve flavor).
Note: Nutritional yeast is high in B vitamins, which helps your body deal more effectively with stress, and helps to keep your skin clear!
After you’ve popped up some popcorn, sprinkle your herbal popcorn seasoning mix generously over buttered popcorn. Add sea salt if desired. Enjoy!
Question: What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Please share your favorite Christmas movie in the comments below!
I know Christmas is over but it’s still nice to snuggle up and watch movies in January. Firstly, I can’t believe Home Alone isn’t on your list – fave Christmas film ever! And secondly, I watch iTonya the other day and was such a good film to watch on a cold night.
Holly x
http://www.ldnmuse.com
Ha, ha, I think “Home Alone” isn’t on my list because with the exception of romantic comedies (which I’m a sucker for), I like sentimental old fashioned Christmas movies.
We also enjoyed the movie “I, Tonya”. Margot Robbie did an amazing job in that part!
My all time favorite Christmas movie is ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ also!
I watch it every year, usually multiple times. There was a very sad and traumatic Christmas for me in 1995 and it took me many years to be able to get past the opening scene where Clarence is getting his assignment. Thank heaven that is over and I enjoy the movie even more now. It has so much meaning! Very nice list of movies! They are all great!
I’m right there with you, Victoria – I’ve enjoyed watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” several times each holiday season, too. I’m so glad you’re able to enjoy it again. It’s a special movie with a timeless message. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts!
I don’t usually watch Christmas movies but when I do, I find myself enjoying it and binge watching the other christmas movies too. They give me the cozy vibes. Anyway, my favorite would be The Grinch! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your favorite, Jam! Many people love that one, and the songs tend to stick with you, lol.
Great post! I love this list of movies, and the popcorn sounds delicious as well. I am also a huge fan of It’s A Wonderful Life! I grew up watching it every year on Christmas with my family. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, Savannah! It’s definitely been a tradition in my family to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year. Hope you try out the popcorn recipe – let me know how you like it!
I really enjoy the Christmas comedies. Of course National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is on the list along with Scrooged. As a family we love watching A Christmas Story.
Yes, I like the Christmas comedies, too! A Christmas Story is laugh out loud funny! Thanks for reading & commenting, ThriveOn35k!
I have been looking for Christmas movies to watch haha. I think I’m going to watch a couple of these. Thank you for sharing!
Hey, thanks for reading & commenting, Fransic! I hope you had a chance to watch some of these movies over the holidays!
I love a Charlie Brown Christmas and am watching a newer addition on Apple TV. Great Christmas movie list!
Awww, these are lovely Christmas movies! I really like the sound of A Christmas Story x
Great recommendations! I’ll be checking out some of these movies. My faves are The Holiday, A Christmas Carol, and The Santa Clause.
Thanks for this list — it was useful to be reminded of some great movies I had forgotten about. I think my Christmas favourites are Elf and The Snowman!
Thanks for sharing this, Kathy! I always love a good Christmas movie list 🙂 And the popcorn seasoning mix was a lovely addition!