I’m not much of a movie watcher – except during the Christmas. I love, love, love holiday movies, and would probably watch them year-round if I weren’t afraid to get holiday fatigue. Here are my top 10 favorites:

1) A Muppet Family Christmas – This is by far my favorite Christmas movie – the Muppets, in my opinion, at their ’80s peak. (It even included a cameo by Jim Henson.) Not only did it feature “The Muppet Show” cast, but “The Fraggles” and “Sesame Street.” We originally taped this from the first TV airing in 1987, the day before I turned five.  The tape was played a few times each year – except after my sister decided to let her friend “borrow” the copy, and then he moved across the country. Oh, was I angry. Subsequent VHS and DVD releases of the film cut out important parts of the film because video release rights couldn’t be secured for certain songs, and, of course, the fantastic ’80s commercials (remember Playskool’s Definitely Dinosaurs?) were also gone. However, two years ago, Lexcie and I were poking around a local church’s tag sale when I came across a bin of VHS tapes for 25¢ each. I don’t even know why I looked in the bin that day – why would I buy a VHS when I had a DVD player? But right on top of the pile was a taped version of A Muppet Family Christmas. I actually ran back to the car to find a quarter – there was no way I was leaving that sale without the VHS. On Black Friday, I purchased a VHS-to-DVD recorder and you can be sure I will be recording the movie onto as many DVDs I can find. (Bonus: the new copy doesn’t have a shortened ending thanks to my brother taping over the last three minutes with a war movie.)

2) The Christmas Toy – Another Jim Henson ’80s TV gem; this came out a year before A Muppet Family Christmas and we also taped it onto VHS. The movie was about toys that come alive when humans aren’t around. Rugby – a stuffed tiger who is  Jamie’s favorite toy – is afraid he’s about to be replaced by a new Christmas toy, Meteora. Sound familiar? Yes, it has a very Toy Story-vibe to it, and as Joshua Miller says in his side-by-side comparison of the film: “The story similarities between these two properties are so eerily similar that it is hard not to cry ‘thieves!’ into the night.” I also have to transfer my VHS copy to DVD, since the new DVD release is lacking all the scenes involving Kermit the Frog’s narration and, of course, the “Celebrate the season with Kraft” commercials that aired each break.

3) Christmas Eve on Sesame Street - I guess you can say I have a thing for Muppet specials. My favorite scenes involve Cookie Monster trying to write a letter to Santa. Two years ago, Mom and I went to Manhattan for our annual Christmas jaunt, and I surprised her with a trip to the former Barnes & Noble in Lincoln Center to see Bob McGrath sing – including “Keep Christmas With You.” It’s one of my favorite holiday memories ever.

4) It’s A Wonderful Life - No Muppets, but it does have characters named Bert and Ernie (but Henson sources say it’s only a coincidence). Every year, I marvel about how short the time with Clarence is – but the scenes are the most impactful, making them seem much longer in my head. (Side note: it’s hard to watch Henry Travers, who played Clarence, in The Bells of St. Mary’s after watching this.)  It’s also a Christmas film that I will only watch in black and white. Last year, my VCR ate my well-worn copy, which prompted me to replace most of my Christmas VHS tapes with DVDs this year.

5) Elf – It’s hard not to love this film (even without Muppets). It’s extremely difficult to make a Christmas classic these days, and Jon Favreau nailed it. It’s also on the top of my “Most Quotable Films” list (which only exists in my head, so don’t go looking for it). I also love the whole New York vibe.

6) Home Alone – Every child’s dream and nightmare rolled into one, but a heartwarming Christmas movie.

7) A Charlie Brown Christmas – What’s not to love about any Charlie Brown holiday special?

8) A Christmas Story - No film captures a childhood Christmas better than this film. Also #2 on my “Most Quotable Films” list.

9) Will Vinton’s Claymation Christmas Celebration - What wowed us before CGI. This film (from the creator of The California Raisins) is absolutely spectacular, and many times, beautiful. My favorite parts are the ones dealing with the explanation of “The Wassail Song” and “We Three Kings.”

10) Smokey Mountain Christmas – A totally campy made-for-TV movie starring Dolly Parton involving orphans, a backwoodsman, and a witch. What’s not to love?