Crowds, stores and shopping. The holiday season is often more about being annoyed than feeling cheerful, at least until all the shopping and spending are done. Get yourself back into a holiday mood by setting the stage for goodwill toward man. Watch one of the all-time best holiday movies, and remember why this time of year is so much fun to begin with.

The Santa Clause:
The newest film on the countdown and one of Tim Allen’s bigger Disney hits; this flick has it all. First, you’ve got hilarious Tim Allen as a cynical Santa. Throw in cute elves, a few good special effects, and that adorable little boy who plays Allen’s son, and you’re looking at a modern holiday classic. Funny and heartwarming, The Santa Clause has the perfect blend of comedy and feeling.

A Christmas Story:
You’ll shoot your eye out! It’s just not Christmas until you sit down with this film at least once. The story of little Ralphie and his Christmas quest for a Red Rider BB gun has a universal effect on young and old alike. The scary Santa, the hilarious fantasy sequences, the cute little brother, and the desire to receive just one present above all others. Add it all together, and you’ve got a Christmas tale that offers everything from laughs to love.

Santa Claus: The Movie:
The movie says it’s about Santa, but Dudley Moore and John Lithgow absolutely steal the show in this tale that’s told in New York City and the North Pole. Moore as the runaway elf is funny and enchanting, and no one plays the bad guy quite like Lithgow. This flick is meant to tell the entire story of Santa, culminating in a traditional Christmas ending sure to leave your cockles toasty.

Miracle on 34th Street:
Miracle is about shopping and Santa—and nothing’s more Christmas than that. Beginning with Thanksgiving and ending on Christmas Day, the original Miracle is all about finding the strength to believe. Heartwarming, inspiring, and beautiful, you’ll find yourself with a little more faith once this wonderful Christmas fable is all over.

A Christmas Carol:
In any version (though, of course, I’m partial to the old black-and-white film) this time-honored classic is just about as Christmas as you can get.  Dickens comes alive in this tale of a miser who finds his Christmas spirit, whether you’re watching the old 1930s version or even the one with Mickey Mouse. For a more modern, funny update to the original Dickens, check out Bill Murray in Scrooged.

It’s a Wonderful Life:
No holiday season would ever be complete without George Bailey running through the streets of Bedford Falls. It’s a Wonderful Life stands alone as the greatest holiday film ever made for one reason and one reason only: James Stewart. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the actor and the character in this tale which has absolutely everything. You’ll get romance, history, war, lust, despair, friendship, family, and yes, even a Christmas angel. It you can make it through this one without crying, you must be made of stone. Because it’s so popular, the rights of It’s a Wonderful Life are closely guarded and the film is shown only a handful of times every single year. Catch the very first seasonal airing of this Stewart/Reed classic December 14 at 8pm on NBC.