The holidays are almost upon us. As they approach, we will engage in many pastimes peculiar to the season. We will shop for gifts, sing Xmas carols, decorate our home and indulge in the treats we might normally deny ourselves.

One of my favourite activities in the lead up to the holidays is relaxing with my family in front of the television, with a glass of Xmas cheer, and enjoying a good Xmas movie.

However, with so many movies set in and around the holidays, most of which make for an excellent viewing experience, it can be hard to choose which one to watch, especially since we are no longer limited by what is showing on TV. Never fear, though, for I am here to make your job easier with my Top Ten list of Xmas films, listed from ten to one:

Number 10

Trading Places (1983)

Director: John Landis
Writers: Timothy Harris, Herschel Weingrod
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy

Number 9

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Director: John Hughes
Writer:  John Hughes
Stars:  Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins

Number 8

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

Director: Henry Koster
Writer: Robert E. Sherwood (screenplay), Leonardo Bercovici (screenplay), Robert Nathan (Novel)
Stars: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven

Number 7

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Director: Ron Howard
Writers: Dr. Seuss (book), Jeffrey Price (screenplay), Peter S. Seaman (Screenplay)
Stars: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley

Number 6

Bad Santa (2003)

Director: Terry Zwigoff
Writer: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac, Lauren Graham

Number 5

Gremlins (1984)

Director: Joe Dante
Writer: Chris Columbus
Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton

Number 4

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Director: George Seaton
Writers: George Seaton (written for the screen by), Valentine Davies (story)
Stars: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne

Number 3

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Writer: John Hughes
Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis

Number 2

Joyeux Noel (2005)

Director: Christian Carion
Writer: Christian Carion
Stars: Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet

Number 1

Love Actually (2003)

Director: Richard Curtis
Writer: Richard Curtis
Stars: Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon, Liam Neeson

So do you agree with this list? What is your favourite holiday film? Let me know in the comments below.

Categories: Top Tens

Tags: Bad Santa, christmas, films, Gremlins, holidays, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street, movies, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Planes Trains and Automobiles, The Bishop's Wife, Top Ten, Top Ten Tuesday, Trading Places, Xmas