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It’s finally December (ok, so it’s actually December 4th), and the holidays are in FULL swing! If you are in Tyler, Texas, you know this because of the lovely traffic on Broadway. Yes, even though many events have been canceled, postponed, rescheduled, adjusted due to COVID-19, there are still several things to can do to celebrate the holidays while social distancing.
You can still cook your favorite holiday meals.
You can decorate your Christmas tree.
You can even watch your favorite Christmas movies.
Some channels on TV are devoted to ONLY show Christmas movies 24/7. People love holiday movies! Yes, even though we are in Texas, and there is no snow (yet), sometimes watching the movie can temporarily take you to another setting.
The small winter white town.
The hustle and bustle of a large city.
The movies can even take you to the airport scene, or the cruise scene, in the comfort of your own home!
The following movies on this list are my personal favorite Christmas movies that I look forward to each year, #1 being my MOST favorite.
Kelly Raulston’s Top Five Favorite Christmas Movies
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This is a fabulous classic, and I love the meaning behind the movie. I’ll admit, sometimes I can relate to the Grinch. I do love the holidays, but sometimes I like peace and quiet as well. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch is one of my favorite holiday songs as well.
4. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer
This is a quintessential classic, but the reason why this is #4 instead of #5 is that I absolutely love Claymation. Claymation takes forever to create and is such an art. I love the story of Rudolph, and I can remember myself looking for a place to belong and call home. I remember when I moved out to East Texas, and I knew not ONE person. But, after my journey of saying Yes, I have met hundreds of wonderful people. I think another reason why I love this movie is that it’s been around since 1964. That means that many of my loved ones have seen this movie over the years!
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Some of you may be thinking:
“Gee, Kelly, isn’t The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie?”
Well, in my opinion, I believe The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas Movie!
Yes, Jack the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown however… the movie is about how Jack the Pumpkin King wants to take over Christmastown. He still wants Christmastown to have Christmas…. Just in his own way.This was my absolute favorite movie as a child. I love the Claymation, songs, and the plot. I like the unique and magically take on how the holidays were celebrated in the movie. Plus, Catherine O'Hara is one of my favorite actresses.
2. Elf
This movie is hilarious! I love Buddy the Elf and all of Buddy the Elf Quotes. I originally grew up in Monroeville, PA, so this winter setting evokes a lot of my early childhood memories. I also have family that lives in the Buffalo, NY area. Also, when I taught, and my students had completed all of their work, I let them watch Elf!
1. Home Alone
This is my absolute favorite Christmas movie. Like Elf, the winter setting is something I can relate to. I also can relate to the scene when the McCallister family is sprinting through Chicago O’haire Aiport…. My family and I had to run through the SAME airport to catch our flight (we were unsuccessful). Also, this movie has Catherine O'Hara. My favorite part is how Kevin McCallister protected his house. The music is wonderful as well. This is a movie I look forward to watching with my family every Christmas.
What do you think of my top five favorite Christmas movies? I hope that you take some time to curl up with a soft fluffy blanket, pop some popcorn, and cozy up to a few of my favorite Christmas movies this year!
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
