Holiday Top Five

Movies/Specials

5. It's a Wonderful Life I was in the stage version of this movie twice, once as Uncle Billy and then as Ernie because the director's son's friend wanted to play Uncle Billy. The director later admitted she made a mistake. Both parts were a lot of fun.
4. A Christmas Story I first saw this movie on a winter school day when it was too cold to go outside for recess. I remember that everyone in my grade had to miss the middle to go to music class. I have since seen the film in its entirety every year.
3. "The Snowman" This animated special features a brief narration from David Bowie and then has no dialog, only amazing instrumental and vocal music. It's so good, it even held my attention as a child. Keep the hankies nearby.
2. "A Garfield Christmas Special" The Christmas is here song always gives me that warm holiday feeling.
1. Scrooge starring Albert Finney with Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley. The ghost of Christmas yet to Come scared me to death when I was little. It's probably a good thing that the tapes-off-TV version we had cut out the scene in hell.

Bonus - "A Claymation Christmas" This was on our VHS with Garfield, and several years ago, it mysteriously disappeared. I've since gotten the Garfield special on DVD, but not this one yet. The California Raisins appear, but the camels who sing the chorus of "We Three Kings" steal the show.

Music

5. Manheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra. I lump these two together because they're essentially the same, and I like them equally. Manheim introduced me to "Pat-A-Pat," which I now love, and TSO plays my favorite version of "Carol of the Bells" since the face pounding, anthropomorphic bell of "A Claymation Christmas" (see abovce).
4. Handel's "Messiah" I'm listening to it now. I've only recently grown to appreciate Classical music, and this was a big step in getting me there.
3. Amy Grant's "Christmas Album" This one is pure nostalgia. I'm not generally a big Amy Grant fan, but I still long for a tender Tennessee Christmas. I can't imagine it's much different that the Michigan/Illinois Christmases I've grown up with, but Amy tells it well.
2. Bing Crosby was my mom's favorite Christmas singer, so his songs always remind me of childhood Christmases. My dad hated "Christmas in Kilarney," but we blasted it anyway. This year I fell in love with his duet of "Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy" with David Bowie, although when my wife first heard it, she said, "Why the hell are Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing together?" I suspect that this Christmas she may be visited by three spirits.
1. "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" This has been a family favorite since I was very young, and I believe that my extended family combined has owned about 100 copies because it's the unluckiest album ever. We had in on tape, and it got ruined. My cousin loved it as well, and he blames his younger sister for ruining theirs. We eventually bought a new copy, but it disappeared. A few years ago, I found it on a holiday rack and listened to it every day until, yes, I lost it. The following year I was at Sam's Club when I saw it in a case with two "Baby's First Christmas" CDs; I bought it anyway. This year, when I got out my Christmas CDs, I opened the case to pop it in, only to find it empty. Sigh. The album has subversively New Age lyrics, but it's still great.

Food

5. Sweet potatoes. I never enjoyed them until I had my mother-in-law's. I think the marshmallows always freaked me out. But mom makes them with just butter and brown sugar. After a dash of salt, they're amazing.
4. Pumpkin pie. My Aunt Carol makes a mean pie (she is, after all, responsible for Pie Night). Slathered in whipped cream (the pie, not my aunt), this says happy holidays to me.
3. Stuffing/Dressing. Any kind and with anything. My grandma used to make it with sausage, and Christine's mom makes a simple version with just bread, onions, celery, broth, and poultry seasoning. I even like Stove Top.
2. Turkey and Ham. These are tied because one is for Christmas and one for Thanksgiving, but both equally embody the holiday meal for me.
1. Quiche. My mom often made quiche for Christmas morning, and now I'm carrying on the tradition here. Christine insists that it's not truly quiche because it doesn't have a crust, but my mom says that the lack of crust is what makes it Lorraine. They're both wrong, but it's still delicious.

Please share your lists and suggest further categories.