Christmas Movie Favorites Guaranteed To Please

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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!

Will your favorite holiday movies match up with mine?  As a personal finance blogger, my number one choice involves a man on the brink of financial ruin, and how he overcomes his money troubles just in time for Christmas. 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!

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 7 things you might not 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!

Modern Christmas Movies

Red One (2024) – Have you seen Red One on Netflix yet?

Other Favorite Christmas Movies

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!

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.

Miracle on 34^th 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!

Controversial Christmas Movies

Die Hard (1988) – Many people argue that Die Hard is a Christmas movie because the movie features holiday music, decorations and festivities. The storyline does take place during Christmas, but does that make it a Christmas movie?

According to Civic Science, people have struggled with this question for years.

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!