Kids’ Happy Christmas movies:

This is part of our “Christmas in July” series!

Elf (2003) PG

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Summary: Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

Recommendation: If you recognize the name Jon Favreau, don’t be surprised. As a director or a producer, he still manages to get a little visible time in front of the camera – look closely at Ben, Walter Hobbs’ doctor, examining Buddy. You may already know him as Happy Hogan from the Iron Man universe. Some of the charm stems from the soundtrack, lively and happening in the background. Buddy’s flavor of exuberance is catching.

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Home Alone (1990) PG

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Summary: Accidentally left behind when his parents rush off on their Christmas vacation, eight-year-old Kevin McCallister embarks on a hilarious, madcap mission to defend the family home when two bumbling burglars try to break in, and find themselves tangled in Kevin’s bewildering battery of booby traps!

Recommendation: Many Christmas movies carry a message about family, those people you grew up around and learned from all your life. In the beginning of Home Alone, Kevin is decidedly not alone – he’s harassed and teased by his various family members, so much so that he wishes he could be left at home alone. Which is, of course, what happens next. He wakes to find the family gone, his absence ignored, and all the freedom in the world to do things he’d like so long as no one catches onto the fact he’s by himself. Opportunistic burglars attempt to encroach on the house since they believe it to be empty, but Kevin outfoxes them – sends them away empty handed, which starts up the second half of the plot, outwitting the bad guys. Even the eventual reunion is glossed over for the success Kevin has as a home-bound hero, keeping the thieves from doing much damage.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) not rated

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Summary: Nearing 60 years old, the best single Peanuts offering (really, it’s a tie between the Thanksgiving special) is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown takes Lucy’s advice to direct the Christmas play. And what’s a Christmas play without a Christmas tree? But everyone makes fun of the short, spindly, “nevergreen” Charlie Brown brings back – until the real meaning of Christmas works its magic.

Recommendation: From the start, oh, that Vince Guaraldi music! Nostalgia has me and I’m so glad to be there. Admittedly designed for a TV shot and not the length of a movie, they pack your standard Charlie Brown DVDs with extra features, trailers, and documentaries – but you’d still need more than one to fill up some time. My personal favorite is the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. You can also try Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tales.

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