Mandatory Christmas Viewing

As the festive season approaches and the Christmas themed movies start to roll out on Netflix, I am not at all convinced they are bringing out anything better than these tried and tested classics:

1. Love Actually – The most charming collection of love stories set in London, this is still a firm favourite 17 years later! Completely hilarious, tear-jerking, and heartwarming, Love Actually provides the exact right amount of holiday vibes to really get you in the mood.

2. Elf – This laugh out loud Christmas tale starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf on a quest to find his 'real dad' is set in a classic Christmas location - New York City. Watch it if you haven't already for the one-liners alone; “Francisco? That’s fun to say! Fraaaanciscooo"

3. The Holiday - The admittedly predictable romantic comedy starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, shows off the stark differences of Christmas time in England versus California. Swapping homes for the holidays to escape their respective relationship issues, there are some touching moments which include Kate helping an elderly Hollywood director come back to life, and Cameron realising that she can cry. Sending a positive overall message that you have to love yourself first - just as you are.

4. The Family Stone – A dark comedy with a touch of crazy, of the unfolding events that occur whilst visiting the family home for the holiday season. Cringeworthy accurateness that you can relate to, of what real-life Christmas time is like with family. A stellar cast, and very underrated.

5. A Muppets Christmas Carol – Probably the oldest of my favourites from childhood. A retelling of the classic Dickens tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, grinch extraordinaire. He is held accountable for his dastardly ways during night-time visitations by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and future. For some reason, I like this version better than the original film.

6. Bad Santa - Hands down the funniest of all the Christmas movies. Billy Bob Thornton was born to play a foul-mouthed, lying, cheating and permanently drunk Santa Claus. Cleverly written and filled with sharp one-liners, this tale still manages to have heart and despite how it appears, isn't all slapstick comedy.

7. The Santa Claus - Possibly the best thing Tim Allen ever did. On Christmas Eve, the family receives an unexpected visitor on the roof resulting in Tim's unknowing transformation into the 'new' Santa Claus. A real 90's classic 'saving Christmas' story which is certainly corny, but as one of the originals, it pulls it off.

8. Miracle on 34th Street - I prefer the 1994 version of this original classic, probably due to Richard Attenborough playing Santa and the little girl from Matilda being involved - she's adorable. Richard plays a nice old man who claims to be Kris Kringle, when he takes on the role of the new 'department store Santa' at Christmas time in New York City. He is institutionalised as insane, so a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is, in fact, the real thing.

9. The Grinch - Jim Carrey brings dark depths and adult wit to the classic children's tale of an outsider at Christmas-time. Original one liners, awesome costuming and vaguely disturbing, Dr. Seuss created a one of a kind world of imagination with this movie!

10. Home Alone 2 (Lost in New York) – Last but not least, the undisputed winner goes to Macaulay Culkin for this long time favourite. Follow his adventures in Manhattan, after his family flies to Florida without him, by accident, at Christmas. Note the short cameo from Donald Trump...as then hotel magnate, before his presidential Christmas wishes were granted.

What are your favourites?