Christmas Traditions

For me, most of my Christmas traditions revolve around movies. There are just so many good ones! I have to be infront of a film infused with cheer, magic and St. Nick while writing Christmas cards, baking cookies, decorating the tree, etc. Hell, if I could walk around with "Elf" playing as I did my shopping I totally would.

On my flight to San Diego last week, the Southwest magazine in the back seat pocket had a quiz to determine which holiday movie you needed to watch this season. I changed my answers each time so I could land on them all. Yep, I'm that much of a dork.

I present you, my must-see holiday films:

Childhood favorite; been watching this one since I was 4. It's on VHS and still has commercials on it from 1988. Remember creepy Teddy Ruxpin? He's on there, still taunting me and giving me nightmares.

Another childhood favorite on the same tape as "Muppet Family Christmas."

I saw this for the first time in my sixth grade chorus class. I was instantly hooked. Who can resist Bing Crosby's"White Christmas?"

My grandfather loved this movie. He had to watch it whenever he came to visit. Not that I blame him-it's hilarious. Now, everytime I watch it I think of him.

Pure comedic genius. The perfect remedy for holiday stress.

Why people felt it necessary to recreate this Christmas classic and put Jim Carrey in gallons of green paint and fur is beyond me.

That 24-hour marathon on TBS every Christmas Eve through Christmas Day? On the ENTIRE time at my parent's house. I always get kind of depressed when the marathon is over-it's like it signals the end of Christmas.


Will Ferrel in an elf suit, eating syrup all over spaghetti, wrecking holiday havoc in NYC. Lo and I quote this movie throughout the entire month of December. Love this movie almost as much as I love her. ALMOST.

You just feel good about life when you watch this movie. It makes the world feel like a much

What are your top Christmas flicks?

Why this Thanksgiving will be so much better than previous ones

This time last year, I was gearing up to work allllll Thanksgiving weekend at the mall. Working retail on black Friday and the proceeding Saturday and Sunday is basically hell on earth served with a side of death.

Thank the sweet baby Jesus I'm done with that job and not required to arrive at 11:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving and open the store at midnight for the bargain-loving freaks who start their Christmas shopping during the wee hours of Friday morning. No sir-ee Bob! Not me. Not this year.

Instead, I'll be doing the following:

-Eating (obvi)
-Drinking (double obvi)
-Watching football
-Reading
-Catching up on sleep
-Shopping and pitying the poor souls who are stuck working retail this year

I'm equally thankful that I do not have to drive home this year. My first year living in D.C., I made the mistake of trying to drive home at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Eve. A 2-hour drive turned into a 5-hour, bumper-to-bumper traffic, nightmare. I quickly learned from my negligence. This year, good ol' reliable Amtrak will be chauffeuring me to Richmond. Road rage, traffic jams and a killer migraine will be replaced with a book, cocktail and relaxation.

Just a few of the things I'm thankful for this year...

Hope y'all have a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday!