Christmas movies are, without a doubt, my favourite.  While living in Australia means that we miss out on the picturesque “sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate in matching cable-knit cardigans” thing, it seems that everyone has a favourite Christmas film that features in their festive traditions.

For example, every year on Christmas Eve, my sister and I settle in to watch Love, Actually together. We eat a ton of chocolate and ice-cream and we swoon over a charmingly awkward Colin Firth stuttering his way through a Portuguese proposal. Then, depending on mood and the amount of remaining junk food, we move on to The Holiday and The Grinch.

As a cinema studies Major, I spend a lot of time watching movies and have come up with this list of the best Christmas scenes from movies.

“To me, you are perfect”- Love, Actually

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7u6bMBlCXw

Right in the feels. Every. Single. Time.

“Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas”- Meet Me in St. Louis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yudgy30Dd68

Judy Garland is perfect. This film is perfect.

“I Hate Christmas”- The Grinch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lq1JIWQSlc

Saddest, cutest scene in  Christmas film ever.

“It’s A Bit Nipply Out”- Christmas Vacation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGkcC1VrhU#t=32

There’s a little bit of Clark Griswold in all of us…

“The Three Musketeers!”- The Holiday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhUKCJYdFg

Christmas is all about being with family, finding family and loving one another. This scene just hits the nail on the head. So beautiful.

“Beth’s Christmas Wish”- Little Women

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Shxwot06qU

You can’t watch this without crying. It’s scientifically impossible.

“I’ve Got Presents?”- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCa9VTs8NIU

Harry’s first taste of family. Too cute!!

“‘Course I do”- Love, Actually (Yes, it gets a second scene.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m-bJa2pw6Q

Most adorable thing ever.

“Wait For What?”- It’s A Wonderful Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ne13Zft9Q

Such a beautiful speech that is still relevant to society 63 years on… An amazing film that you simply must see if you you haven’t already.

“Jingle Bell Rock”- Mean Girls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dw7GE_BYjI

Back before Rachel McAdams was Hollywood’s Sweetheart and Lindsay Lohan was a trainwreck. Ah, the good ol’ days…

And of course,

“This IS Christmas Music”- Die Hard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEJ5yuu7JiI

Fifteen seconds of the second best Christmas film ever.

Now that you’ve had a sample of the best Christmas films out there, it’s time to stock up on snacks and watch your favourite ones start to finish!

– by Blaire Gillies