The 12 Days of Christmas Movies

The Christmas season is a time for family, friends, and Christmas movies. Christmas movies have been a staple of the holiday season since the 1940s when they began to be televised on Christmas Eve. From "A Christmas Story" to "It's A Wonderful Life," these classics are sure to bring back fond memories from Christmases past. In honor of this year's 12 Days of Christmas Movies, we've compiled a list of some popular favorite movies of all time that you can watch or purchase on Amazon Prime that the whole family will love!

"Miracle on 34th Street"

Miracle on 34th Street is a holiday classic, and its enduring popularity has inspired multiple remakes. A young department store Santa Claus must convince the world that he's the real thing in this 1947 film starring Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle.

Kris helps an unhappy mother find her Christmas cheer when she visits his toy shop.

This is a great Christmas movie! I love how it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when watching this film during Christmas time. It's a must-see every year to capture the holiday magic! If you want to watch Miracle on 34th Street, click here.

"It's a Wonderful Life"

It's a Wonderful Life is a beloved holiday movie that tells the story of George Bailey, who has spent his life trying to serve others in order to make up for an incident he wishes never happened. When Mr. Potter tries to take over Bedford Falls and turn it into "Pottersville," George must enlist help from friends and family in order to save Christmas for his town.

"A Christmas Story"

A Christmas Story is the tale of young Ralphie Parker who desperately wants a Red Ryder B-B gun under the Christmas tree, only to be told he'll shoot his eye out by everyone around him. Along with friends and family, this classic movie follows all of Ralphie's Christmas dreams, even when he doesn't get the gift he was hoping for.

"Elf"

Buddy (Will Ferrell) is a human who accidentally gets taken in by Santa Claus and raised as an elf at the North Pole. When Buddy learns that his father is on the naughty list and is about to be deported, he sets out for New York City in order to save him. Elf is a heartwarming Christmas classic that will make you laugh and cry - and believe in the magic of Christmas all over again.

"The Muppet Christmas Carol"

The Muppet Christmas Carol is a family favorite that captures all of the Christmas spirits. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted old man who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve in order to teach him about Christmas and the true meaning behind it. This movie has become a classic, with many versions available including one narrated by Michael Caine himself!

"Home Alone"

Home Alone is a Christmas classic that follows the story of a young boy Kevin McCallister, who accidentally gets left behind when his family goes on vacation. When two burglars try to rob his home, Kevin must use all of his cunning and resourcefulness to outsmart them and save Christmas. This movie is hilarious and shows that Christmas is the time for family and love! You can watch Home Alone on Amazon or buy it here if you want to own a copy.

"The Santa Clause"

When Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) accidentally kills Santa, he must step in as Christmas's newest hero. He learns how to fly reindeer and deliver Christmas presents, all while trying to keep his son from learning the truth about Christmas. This family favorite is both heartwarming and funny - just like Christmas itself!

You can watch The Santa Clause on Amazon. And if you want to own a copy of your very own, click here!

Honorable Mentions

• A Very Murray Christmas

• Mickey's Christmas Carol

• Nightmare Before Christmas

• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

This holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite classic Christmas movies. A lot has changed in the world and more than ever before, people are looking for nostalgia to get them through these difficult times. These films offer that familiarity with cheer and good tidings that remind us what it is like to be surrounded by friends and family during such an important period of the year. We hope you enjoy these classics as much as we do! What is your go-to movie? Let me know in the comments below!

Top 5 Things You NEED To Do By Yourself

By Tasha Stevens

Self-care baby! YASS! When was the last time you took a day to do something by yourself? I was surprised to hear from several close friends of mine that they are almost NEVER alone. What?! To me, that is crazy! 

It is important for your own mental health to check in on yourself sometimes. This might mean taking a walk around your neighborhood or even window shopping at the mall. 

Being alone doesn’t necessarily mean you are lonely. I feel it is imperative that each person value their “me time” and use it to do something they truly love or to even try something new! 

My top five things to do by myself are:

1. Go to the beach. I am fortunate enough to live in a place where there is a beach within pretty much 2-hour driving distance in either direction. If you have no beach near you, no worries! A pool, swimming hole, creek, river, etc will do the trick. Warning! Going to the beach, pool, springs, etc alone could result in some serious tan lines so be sure to bring the SPF! 

2. Go to the movies. Alright. I know this one sounds weird and pretty lame but I actually love going to the movies by myself. Now there are some people that say there is no freaking way they ever would but try it once, you might be surprised! No guilt for ordering the extra buttery $15 small popcorn or smuggling in dollar tree candy in your purse. No shame. #treatyoself. 

3. Take up a hobby. I have several hobbies. One of which is painting. Michael’s craft store always has some type of coupon and cheaper acrylic paint, some brushes to use and bundle packages of canvases on the low. I just happen to enjoy painting with a nice big glass of Malbec by my side. Call it my “creative juices”. 

4. Jigsaw puzzles. Ok ok…. Pull out the jello and Bengay. I guess this one makes me seem like I’m an 89-year-old retiree. And you’d be right. But my god, the satisfaction of putting in that final piece is like a fresh sip of ice-cold water on a hot day or a mouthful of freshly made cheesy garlic pasta. If jigsaw puzzles aren’t your thing, no worries! You can do other mental games such as sudoku, crossword puzzles, word searches, or even test your thumb strength with some classic Mario. 

5. Fine dining. This is a MUST. You NEED to go out and eat by yourself somewhere. Think it’s going to be awkward? Bring a book or a magazine or your phone to read while you’re there. Or people watch. Do whatever you must to keep your mind off of the fact that you think everyone is staring at you. (They’re not.) Sitting down and eating by yourself is an acquired taste BUT one of the most satisfying things I have done by myself thus far. You can even do baby steps with this one and make yourself dinner at home. Start there and progress to big boy steps and take yourself out for a nice dinner later. You can make it even more fun by dressing up and having a date with yourself. Who knows? If you’re single, you might take home more than leftovers. HIYO!

I hope you take the time to try even a few of these things and practice in some real self-care. Remember you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself. If you enjoyed this post make sure you click the little heart below. Make sure to share your own experiences in the comment section below. If you step outside the box and try any of these comment below and let me know how it went.