Mr. Shukti gave me this idea. He was watching a commercial for some overly sentimental holiday treaclefest and remarked, “Why does Christmas always have to be saved? Since when is it in danger?”

He’s got a good point. There’s some cloying stuff out there. Really stupid stuff. I’ve seen a lot of movies where the couple doesn’t have enough money — I mean, they’re in the ‘can-I-even-buy-groceries canto’ of financial hell but decide to be happy. They don’t have a resolution to their money problems and are still living hand-to-mouth, but it’s Christmas. (Before anyone calls me out on this, Mr. Shukti and I have survived some lean years not nearly as rough as what’s usually depicted in these things, and no, it’s not a happy time.) The only family who pulled this off were the Cratchets from A Christmas Carol — and yeah, well, Ebenezer gave Bob a raise, didn’t he?

I’m also going to include TV specials that air every year (or should).

I know there’s more out there. Show me some love, send me the name of your favorites and I’ll review them! This is one list I need to add to!

— Shukti

A Charlie Brown Christmas
A Christmas Carol (with either Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, or Patrick Stewart as Ebenezer Scrooge. Extra credit for digging up the Kenner Famous Classic Tales animated version.)
The Christmas List (silliest premise ever and yet it always makes me smile)
A Christmas Memory
A Christmas Story
Elf (Will Ferrell’s goofiness works here, especially with Bob Newhart’s bone-dry persona)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the Dr. Seuss animated version, of course)
It’s a Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service