It’s December 15th and the holidays are in full swing. There’s nothing better than stuffing stockings and drinking eggnog… except for watching a classic holiday movie at the same time!  So, while you’re waiting for Santa to slide down the chimney with your presents, turn on one of these five festive films to get in the Christmas spirit.

1. A Christmas Story

We’re kicking this list off with a classic. A Christmas Story is everyone’s go-to holiday movie. If you haven’t seen it yet, then drop what you are doing (yup… even stop reading this) and go watch it. Starring Melinda Dillion and Darren McGavin, this flick is about a boy wants just one thing for christmas and that’s a toy gun. He begs his parents and when his wish finally comes true, things take an interesting turn. This heartwarming movie will fill you up with laughter and remind you that spending time with family is the true value of the holiday season, rather than trying to get the Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.

2. Elf

Elf was one of those movies that I went into with low expectations. I thought it would be terrible, but after watching it, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Will Farrell’s performance will make you laugh harder than you ever had before, bringing a unique comedic angle to the holiday season that no one has yet to replicate. When Buddy (Farrell) learns that he is not actually one of Santa’s little helpers, he is thrown into the unfamiliar world of New York City and forced to figure out his true identity. If the sheer goofiness of a grown man trying to be one of Santa’s elves doesn’t make you want to watch the movie, then I don’t know what will.

3. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

For movie number three, we’re sticking to the comedy theme. The Home Alone series is without question my absolute favorite holiday series. In it, Macaulay Culkin plays the witty Kevin McCallister, a young prankster who has a habit of outsmarting bad guys with his clever tricks.  Home Alone 2 is my favorite in the series because of how creative Kevin gets with his tactics to get away from his  kidnappers. This movie will make your sides ache from laughter, but also warm you up, as you watch Kevin learn that being with family is what makes this season so special.

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Diving into the animation side of things, The Nightmare Before Christmas presents a fusion that I personally believe contains the two best holidays: Halloween and Christmas. This Tim Burton classic features a usually-scary man named Jack Skelington who is introduced to a world of snow, lights, and the mysterious Saint Nicholas. Bringing this knowledge back to his town, he sets out on a quest to Christmas-afy everything around him… even if his scarier counterparts don’t approve. This film will leave you in awe and keep you singing until you run out of hot chocolate.

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Charlie Brown is one of the most iconic cartoon characters of our time, and this Christmas special is one of the best holiday themed movies out there. Charlie is depressed about the over-commercialization of Christmas, so his friend Linus suggests that he direct his own Christmas play. What comes next are 25 minutes of sheer joy, as you watch the entire gang put on a play that will leave the Charlie Brown jingle stuck in your head until Christmas morning.