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By Alex Strang and Nick LeBlanc
Right after Thanksgiving dinner is all cleaned up and you’re on the way to go Black Friday shopping, you start to hear songs that have become all too familiar: Christmas songs. Without missing a beat, the Christmas tunes are released into the airwaves right as the conversation with Grandma on how you need a boyfriend/girlfriend has ended and you begin to leave your creepy Uncle’s house that you barely even know.
Every year, we listen to the same Christmas music and watch the same Christmas movies, but why do we listen to same songs and watch the same movies every December? Well it’s simple; they get us in the Christmas spirit. They make us want to down some eggnog, go spend an unnecessary amount of money on our family and friends, and go chop down a tree and haul it home. So, by the time December 25 rolls around, everyone is in the holly-jolly Christmas spirit.
As a staff, we have created a list of our favorite movies and songs.
Movies
5. A Christmas Story
Released over 30 years ago, A Christmas Story continues to be watched by millions of families each year. The movie follows Ralphie, a young boy who only wants one thing from Santa: A Red Ryder BB Gun. Despite everyone telling him “you’ll shoot your eye out,” he doesn’t give up hope. You will be able to find this on TV everyday in December on many channels.
4. Polar Express
Polar Express This is the most kid-friendly movie on the list. It is a Christmas fantasy where a train picks up children and takes them to the North Pole. Compared to the other movies on the list, this movie lacks the comedy.
3. Elf
Elf has been the most overplayed Christmas movie in the past decade as well as the most popular. As every teacher’s go-to Christmas movie, you might watch it five times the day before you go on Christmas Break. Popular comedian Will Ferrell plays a human elf that embarks on a journey from the North Pole in search of an important person in his life.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is the funniest Christmas movie on our list. Chevy Chase plays Clark Griswold, the father of a dysfunctional family in this holiday season comedy. Although it is a family movie, we would not say it is family friendly. Despite only a PG-13 rating, this movie is full of crude humour and it may not be suitable for little cousin Jimmy, so parents and relatives alike make sure you have a blanket ready to cover the TV at various parts of the movie unless you want 20 questions afterwards.
1. Home Alone 1
Home Alone follows a boy’s adventures during the holiday season when his large family accidentally leaves without him when they go on vacation. As an all-time Christmas favorite, this action-packed comedy does not disappoint. What makes this movie so great is that, when we were younger, we all had that fantasy of feeling all powerful, which is exactly how the protagonist, Kevin, acts. Due to Kevin’s nature and our young age, Kevin was a Hero to us. The combination of being a Christmas thriller and being filled with nostalgia means if you are going to watch one movie this December, make it Home Alone.
Music
5. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Michael Bublé
This Bublé classic gets the listener hype about snow that is related to Christmas. The reason why this song is not higher on our list is because more often than not, the weather feels like Easter on Christmas; thus, the song is rather misleading.
4. Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys
Similar to the song in the five spot, “Little Saint Nick” is a Christmas classic. However, this song also has a major downfall to it: Saint Nick is not little. While the song provides a good tune, as a staff it was difficult to rank this song higher due to the misinterpretation of the most important character related to the Christmas season.
3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Michael Bublé
Being one of the most iconic christmas songs means that it has been featured in hit Christmas movies like the Polar Express. The major downfall of the song is that it highlights the downfalls of a seemingly jolly holiday. For example, the song says “he sees you when you’re sleeping.” While the staff recognizes that the fact that Santa stalks us in our sleep is a part of the holiday, we feel the negative, creepy aspects of the holiday could’ve been left out. In addition, you shouldn’t need to threaten the kids within the song to get them to behave. If it is needed, maybe the kids need better parents.
2. A Wonderful Christmas Time by the Beatles
What happens when you mix one of the greatest bands of all time and one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States? A subpar album. Nevertheless, within the album is a song that has been welcomed during the Christmas time from 95-year-old Grandma Gertrude to five-year-old little Timmy. The Beatles have managed to create a popular Christmas song that goes along with the sound of ‘70s that has actually lasted, which makes this song even better.
1. All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey
The Squall chose Mariah Carey’s song to take the number one spot because of the heavenly tune alongside the modern, pop style. While the old fashion songs are welcomed, having your ears blessed by Ms. Carey’s voice is a good shake up from the typical Christmas tune. We also feel that when she says “All I want for Christmas is you,” she is talking to the audience, and more specifically us. The loving gesture that Mariah extended to us during the love-filled holiday is appreciated. As a staff, we would like to thank you Ms. Carey; we feel less lonely now.
