Lifestyle

Holiday movies to get you in a festive mood

beauty and lifestyle blog

beauty and lifestyle blog

I love this time of year. I love that our Christmas tree is already up, I love that I’m already prepping and organizing myself for all the cooking I’ll be doing very soon, I love listening to Christmas albums playing on my iPod and I love watching Christmas movies.

We made to 9th day of Blogmas (yay)! I’m so happy that so far I was able to keep up with daily blogging, especially because I’m having a really weird allergic reaction and I’ve been on antihistamines for the last couple of days which make me feel super tired and groggy. But that still won’t stop me from enjoying the most wonderful time of the year :) Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite movies that I watch every year during the holiday season. They always set me in the mood, bring back memories and put a smile on my face.

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SCROOGED

When I was little, my grandpa and I read Charles Dickinson’s “A Christmas Carol” together every Christmas, and this story will always have a spacial place in my heart. Scrooged is a modern take on “A Christmas Carol” starring Bill Murray, who I absolutely love! Murray stars as Frank Cross who “runs a US TV station which is planning a live adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Frank’s childhood wasn’t a particularly pleasant one, and so he doesn’t really appreciate the Christmas spirit. With the help of the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, Frank realizes he must change

Love-Actually-Gallery-2

LOVE ACTUALLY

Believe it or not, first time I saw Love Actually was about two years a go and it instantly became my favorite holiday movie. The cast is absolutely amazing, includes some of my favorite actors like Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Andrew Lincoln (whom I’ll always think of as Rick Grimes. Love Actually follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. This movie never gets old, it makes me cry, it makes me laugh and it’s just a Christmas classic.

annie-disney-movie-1999

ANNIE (1999)

I love Annie and this 1999 TV version might be the best one. I have to say that I also really liked the 2014 film, but this version will always be a favorite. “Eleven-year-old Annie has been living in an orphanage her whole life run by cruel Miss Hannigan. After unsuccessful escape attempts, Grace Farrell comes to take the child home to live two weeks with billionaire Oliver Warbucks during Christmas. The plucky orphan worms her way into the hearts of the staff and Mr. Warbucks and even the president of the United States! Even though Mr. Warbucks wants to adopt her, she is still looking for her real parents who left a locket with her when they dropped her off at the orphanage. Miss Hannigan’s brother and his sleazy girlfriend pose as Annie’s parents to gather the reward that Warbucks has offered to Annie’s real parents.”

the holiday

THE HOLIDAY

This is also one of my favorite movies to watch around Christmas time. I love the cast and even though I’m not a big fan of romantic comedies, I really liked this one. I cry and laugh every single time I watch it. “In London, Iris Simpkins writes a wedding column in a newspaper and nurtures an unrequited love for her colleague Jasper Bloom. Near Christmas, she is informed that Jasper is engaged to marry another colleague, and her life turns upside down. In Los Angeles, the movie-trailers maker Amanda Woods has just split with her unfaithful boyfriend Ethan and wants to forget him. Through a house exchange website, Amanda impulsively swaps her mansion for Iris’ cottage in Surrey for the holidays. While in Surrey, Amanda meets Iris’ brother and book editor Graham and they fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, Iris meets her new next door neighbor the ninety year old screenplay writer Arthur, who helps her retrieve her self-esteem, and the film composer Miles, with whom she falls in love.”

its-a-wonderful-life

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE

I have a lot of love for old movies and this one is both beautiful and timeless. . “George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George’s modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George’s Uncle Billy loses the business’s $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George..”

What are your favorite movies to watch during holiday season? One other movie (or movies, rather) that I also really wanted to mention was the Harry Potter movies. I know, these aren’t Christmas movies, but I love re-reading all the books and re-watching all the movies around this time of year. It always sets me in that cozy, happy mood and Christmas time at Hogwarts was always my favorite part when reading the books :)

46 Comments

  • Reply
    Elizabeth Hisle
    December 9, 2015 at 9:30 am

    So happy to see Love Actually on this list. It’s a Christmas tradition for me and my husband.

    aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Liz | Lipstick & Confetti
    December 9, 2015 at 9:59 am

    I have yet to see Love Actually! I’m making it a priority to watch it this year.

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

  • Reply
    Lauren
    December 9, 2015 at 10:25 am

    Love Actually is an absolute watch every year! I’m still partial to the original “Annie” but the 1999 is a close second :)

    Lauren :)
    ohheyilikethat.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Kelly
    December 9, 2015 at 10:56 am

    I thought I watched all the Holiday movies there was to watch but I never saw “The Holiday” thanks for the recommendations.

    Perfect Shade of Mauve

  • Reply
    Sara Fleming
    December 9, 2015 at 11:02 am

    Some great choices!

    Sara – She Who Is Short

  • Reply
    Sarah
    December 9, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    These are some of my favourites! I also really like How the Grinch Stole Christmas (both the cartoon and the Jim Carey version) and the Rudolph special that was always on TV!

    Sarah
    Sweet Spontaneity

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    December 9, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    I watched all these films and I can still watch them without getting bored. When I want something funny, I like watching elf or home alone. Shrek Christmas movie is good too :)

    http://www.elabellaworld.com

  • Reply
    Charlotte
    December 9, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    Aw this is a lovely post! I watched Love Actually at the end of Novemeber to ease me into the festive spirit and have watched Elf since as it is such a happy movie. Definitely need to watch The Holiday and It’s a Wonderful Life soon. Harry Potter is definitely Christmassy to me as the films are always on TV in December :) x

    Charlotte’s Road

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      December 11, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks Charlotte! Ugh Love Actually is such a good movie, the cast is just incredible. And yay Harry Potter ftw! ;)

  • Reply
    Jodie
    December 9, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Love Actually is such a holiday classic for me, I’ve watched it more times than I can count!

    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

  • Reply
    Becca
    December 9, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    I looove Love Actually, only watched it first last year and I’m excited to watch it again this year!

    becca | beccagiveslove

  • Reply
    Biana Perez
    December 9, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    I cry every time I watch the Holiday too – it’s such a great movie!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston

  • Reply
    Danielle Beautyblog
    December 9, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Love Actually and The Holiday are my guilty pleasures! Love the Harry Potters any time of year/all year long and can’t beat Home Alone 1 and 2 :)

    Danielle’s Beauty Blog

  • Reply
    Carina Vardie
    December 9, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    I haven’t seen Scrooged, I’ll definitely look it up. I love The Grinch.

    xo
    http://thepinkporcelaindoll.blogspot.it

  • Reply
    Carol Lander
    December 9, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    Love The Holiday when Cameron’s character starts crying in the car and she knows she loves Jude Law. And, of course, It’s a Wonderful Life.

  • Reply
    Isabelle Goodall-Munroe
    December 9, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    I haven’t even watched all of these oh my I’m disappointed with myself! Love actually is a must every Christmas, it just makes me smile. I’ve seen the holiday a few times before and Jude law makes it worth the while!
    ________

    http://www.isabellekategm.co.uk

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    December 9, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    Love Actually and The Holiday are such classics, the old man in The Holiday was so sweet, it made me love the film even more!

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    Darcy Victoria
    December 10, 2015 at 4:45 am

    Love Actually and The Holiday are probably two of my favourite christmas movies along with The Grinch and, oh my gosh, I haven’t seen Annie in so long, that’s going straight on my “to watch list”

    Darcy Victoria
    xxx

  • Reply
    Katya Van Bick
    December 10, 2015 at 6:42 am

    Christmas movies are one of the best ways to feel Christmassy! The Holiday is such a good one but I always have to watch Elf each year too!

    Katya | The Beauty Harbour

  • Reply
    Lauren Barden
    December 10, 2015 at 9:00 am

    Home Alone is my favourite Christmas film, I just watched it yesterday for the first time around the Christmas period and it made me feel so festive!

    Lauren Ashleigh xx

  • Reply
    Alina
    December 10, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Love Actually & The Holiday are also amongst my favourite Christmas movies, along with more kids ones like Miracle on 34th Street and Elf. Hope you feel better soon lovely x

    Beauty with charm

  • Reply
    Mari
    December 10, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    I’ve seen only Love Actually, what a nice movie! Thank you for the recommendations :)

    http://www.randomstein.com

  • Reply
    MargaritaChi.co
    December 11, 2015 at 12:24 am

    So many great Christmas movies that I had totally forgotten about! Thanks for the reminder, I’m so watching some of these x

    Margarita Chi | MARGARITACHI.CO

  • Reply
    Sophie Sierra
    December 12, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Throughly enjoyed this wondrously wintery post Paula! Whole-heartedly loved hearing all about your favourite festive movies of the season; so many gems and treasures here. Love Actually has always been one of my fave seasonal movies (you know that already though hehe), the cast is so stellar and each and every segment of storyline is so heart-warming and movingly good <3

    And The Holiday! Love! Oh god though, you know how much Jack Black reminds me of my mum! Haha, he looks so much like her in that pic ;) :D My favourite Christmas movies weirdly aren't always related to Christmas but usually for this time of year I like Mrs Doubtfire, Boyz N The Hood & The Best Man Holiday was on TV the other night and that's too cute. Home Alone 1 & 2 get my vote too ;)

    Hope you feel tons better soon regarding the reaction love! <3

    Sophie | soinspo xo

  • Reply
    Mary Ann
    November 16, 2016 at 2:12 am

    I love the movie “love actually” and also the Home Alone 1 & 2 ….. I never gets tired to watching them over and over again

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