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Part of the magic of being a parent at Christmas is that you get to enjoy all the classic movies from your childhood again and again.
For some reason, they're even better when there's a little face on the sofa next to you, staring at the TV in complete wonder.
What's more; a cosy movie binge is the perfect laid-back, low-cost family activity. Just light the fire, put on some comfy pyjamas and pop a huge bowl of popcorn, then settle in for some guaranteed-to-please festive fun.
Here are eight classic Christmas movies to put on your list this year:
1. Home Alone
While accidentally leaving your child at home when you head off on a Christmas holiday to Paris might be frowned upon these days, we can't get enough of poor old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) and his hilarious battle with the "Wet Bandits" - burglars Harry and Marv.
2. Home Alone 2: Lost In New York
In one of the best sequels ever, Kevin and his family decide to take a trip to Florida, but Kevin takes the wrong plane and ends up in New York City. He tries to make do with what he has, such as using his father's credit card to stay at the Plaza Hotel, but is soon confronted by the Wet Bandits and must outrun and out-prank them again. Epic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kJieJ1k6k
3. Little Spirit Christmas in New York
When a friendly taxi driver tells two young sisters the tale of a boy named Leo who moved to the Big Apple with his family and lost his beloved pet dog in Central Park, a magical adventure begins. A creature named Little Spirit arrives to help Leo in a lovely digital animation that will captivate the kids... and probably the adults too.
4. The Santa Clause
In the first installment in The Santa Clause trilogy, Tim Allen stars as Scott Calvin, an ordinary man who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof on Christmas Eve. When he and his young son, Charlie, finish St. Nick's trip and deliveries, they go to the North Pole where Scott learns that he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed Father Christmas.
We recommend clearing a Saturday for all three movies; The Santa Clause 2 and The Santa Clause 3 are just as enchanting as the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nD5lLY4DYQ
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
A wonderfully spooky dark fantasy by Tim Burton, this one tells the story of Jack Skellington, a resident of Halloween Town who stumbles through a portal to Christmas Town and decides to celebrate the holiday, with dastardly and comical consequences. Danny Elfman wrote the songs and score, making this an enthralling watch for the whole family.
6. Arthur Christmas
Set on Christmas night, the film tells the story of Santa Claus's clumsy son Arthur Claus who discovers that the Santa's high-tech ship has failed to deliver one girl's present. In response, he goes on a mission to save her Christmas, accompanied only by his ageing grandfather, a rebellious yet enthusiastic young Christmas Elf obsessed with wrapping gifts for children, and a team of eight strong, magical yet untrained reindeer. With a host of charming characters and a heartfelt message, this is one you'll watch over and over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tk-WZSqIGQ
7. Deck the Halls
If your neighbour's garden is currently lit up like the Blackpool illuminations, you might want to invite them over for this one. Deck the Halls tells the story of two suburban dads who go to war when one of them takes his Christmas decor to the extreme.
8. Jingle All The Way
The plot of this brilliant festive flick might feel all too familiar: it focuses on two rival fathers, workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and stressed out postal worker Myron Larabee (Sinbad), both desperately trying to get a Turbo-Man action figure for their sons on a last minute shopping spree on Christmas Eve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhJYMEzQA-Q
Find these Christmas family movies and more in Virgin TV On Demand.
