BDBF Ranks the Christmas Classics

Previously, we’ve talked about our favorite holiday songs. We’ve talked about our favorite holiday movies. But in every discussion of holiday movies, there is always a critical mass of favorites that emerge.

Without further adieu, BDBF attorneys take on the difficult task of ranking the following holiday classics (in alphabetical order):

• Elf
• Home Alone
• Love Actually
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Liz Farley

1. Elf
2. Home Alone
3. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
4. Love Actually

I may be biased, but since my initials are E.L.F. my favorite Christmas movie is Elf. Home Alone is a close second. My sister and I used to watch it and steal ideas about how to protect our house if needed. I recently watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation for the first time over the Thanksgiving holidays. I agree with Jeremy that it has some great one-liners. My fiancé and I really enjoyed 2 scenes in particular – the opening scene when the Griswold’s car gets stuck under the tractor-trailer and when the entire family is trying to choke down the incredibly dry turkey during Christmas dinner. Last is Love Actually. This is just a default because I’ve never seen it start to finish but I will add this to my “Need to Watch” list for this year during the holiday break!

Vi Nguyen

1. Elf
2. Home Alone
3. Love Actually
4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Wait, how can The Grinch not be on this list??? I grew up watching Elf and still watch it to this day! It is everything a Christmas movie is supposed to be: funny, emotional, and heartwarming! Home Alone is another classic that I have watched time and time again. I remember watching this and laughing with my cousins when we were younger. While I generally love rom coms, Love Actually is ranked lower because Elf and Home Alone are just better Christmas movies! I may be showing my age here… but I don’t remember if I’ve actually seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I definitely remember having the DVD at my parent’s house but I don’t remember what happens in it!

Jeremy Rachlin

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
2. Home Alone
3. Elf
4. Love Actually

For me, I prefer a good holiday comedy. Sorry Love Actually, you’re a great movie, but you’re at the bottom of the list. Elf is sweet and funny and it’s full of beautiful scenes of New York at the holidays. Home Alone is timeless and it never gets old seeing Kevin McAllister defeat the Wet Bandits and that poor pizza delivery guy. But the clear number one is the most quotable Christmas movie of all time, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. “Dad, you taught me everything I know about exterior illumination.” “Can’t see the lines, can you Russ?” “If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised.” “The BLESSSS-SSSSSING!!!” I could go on and on. Really, I could. I’ll spare you.

Meg Rosan

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
2. Elf
3. Home Alone
4. Love Actually

Christmas Vacation takes the prize for its humor and relatability. Audrey’s eyes are frozen after trekking into the woods to chop down a massive tree that “isn’t going in the yard, Russ, it’s going in the living room”. Ellen sneaks a cigarette in the kitchen before Aunt Bethany arrives with the jell-o mold full of cat food. Clark trips over his words at the mall: “could it be any hooter?” And who doesn’t have a Cousin Eddie? “Save the neck for me, Clark”. Every scene is a real beaut. Elf is a close second. There are almost as many laugh-out-loud moments, though less inappropriate ones: “Smiling’s my favorite”; and the four food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

Dan Shaivitz

Another holiday movie list, BAH HUMBUG! Conspicuously absent are gems like Die Hard, Scrooged, A Christmas Story, and some instant classics produced after cell phones were created. What boomer created this list?! If I have to hold my nose and vote, here goes:

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
2. Love Actually
3. Home Alone
4. Elf

Maybe it’s that my dad reminds me of Chevy Chase (or that our office is in/close to Chevy Chase), but I love Chevy Chase as Clark W. Griswold. I mean who hasn’t wanted to drive their uninvited holiday family guests out the middle of nowhere and leave them there?! A close second is the joy I feel in the cockles of my heart when, in Love Actually, Aurelia’s entire town tromps after Colin Firth as he clumsily asks for her hand in marriage. Let’s not forget Billy Bob Thornton’s totally forgettable role as the overly handsy POTUS and Bill Nighy as the flamboyant Billy Mack who is the truth-teller of the entire tale. Home Alone has to be third because Elf is a throw away I have never been able to stomach all the way through. Happy holidays and if you order takeout over the break, make sure to tell the delivery driver to “Keep the change, ya filthy animal!”