Favorite holiday movies for the family
/Are you looking for some great family movies to watch over the holidays? So are we! Here is a list of some of the favorite holiday movies from our Kids in the Capital contributors. In Sara's house the holiday wouldn't be completely without "Bob the Builder: A Christmas to Remember". The hour-long special, which is almost 10 years old, is a holiday musical featuring the voice of Elton John. Bob, Wendy, and their 'crew' work together to prepare for their town's annual Christmas concert, starring rock band "Lennie and the Lazers". The movie is best-suited to toddlers and preschoolers, especially those fascinated by construction equipment and music. Like Sara's 4.5 and 2.5 year olds.
Angela says that it just isn't Christmas in her home without "A Christmas Story". The movie has fights, fear, swearing...the inherent sense of naughty that mixes with nice in this movie is unsurpassed. And no child has ever wanted something with the passion that Ralphie wanted that Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. Every adult remembers that feeling. For Angela, it was gymnastic Barbie. The high bars one. With the glittery body suit. The nostalgic sense of longing that they have recreated in that film is near magical for her.
Joanne and her kids are fans of "Mickey’s Twice Upon a Christmas", a story book of sorts featuring 5 different stories with different Disney characters. Her kids (8, 5 and ever her big kid of 36) love every one of them. What Joanne loves about this DVD is that the situations are very life like – competition between friends, kids with a bad case of the gimmies and even what to do when parents embarrass you. In particular her kids really enjoy “Twice Upon a Christmas” and so does she!
Joanne also recommends checking out the many different French movies on TVA (channel 10 in Ottawa and channel 4 in Gatineau) playing during the holidays. Cinéma cadeau is special French programming of various movies and specials during the holidays – this week they are showing "Joyeux Noël Madagascar" (French version of "Merry Madagascar"), "L’ère de glace – la fonte" (French version of "Ice Age – the Meltdown") and "Annie Brocoli dans les fonds marins". There is always a great selection of age appropriate French movies and holiday specials to watch – some are French productions and others are French translations.
Amy's favourite holiday special has always been "The Muppet Family Christmas". Not the "Muppet Christmas Carol", not the new "Letters to Santa" thing, but the "Muppet Family Christmas" where the Muppets go up to Fozzie's mother's farm house to surprise her for Christmas and there they are joined by the Sesame Street gang and the Fraggles. Amy feels very lucky to find a husband who shares her love of the Muppets, and they plan on making it a family tradition to watch this classic while decorating the tree. And, of course, you can't have Christmas without The Grinch.
At Vicky's house one of their favourite movies to watch this time of year is Caillou's Holiday Movie (although she won't lie, it does get played often throughout the year!) It shows different holiday traditions around the world, and Caillou learns about sharing and giving at Christmas time. There are some cute songs in it as well, and the kids really enjoy it. Also on her list is The Grinch who Stole Christmas and The Polar Express, movies she hopes to make a yearly tradition!
As a family who also celebrates Chanukah , which took place earlier in December, she was excited to see the copy of "Shalom Sesame Chanukah" DVD her mom picked up at the Superstore. It's a great video to help explain the holiday traditions to the kids, and it's something they'll look forward to seeing next year too!
Do you have any favorite movies you will be watching this holiday?
