It's Not Christmas Until...

Although we're one week away from Black Friday and the "official" kick-off of the Holiday season, for many of us it's not really Christmas until we watch our favorite holiday movie or TV special.  Over at TVCrunch, they've got a pretty comprehensive schedule of Holiday specials, so you can make sure you don't miss out on a beloved Christmas story.

I've listed a few of my best-loved programs.  See if yours is among them:

1. It's a Wonderful Life - Not only does this movie top my Holiday list, but I count it among one of my picks for best movie ever made.  Is it possible NOT to well up with tears when Harry Bailey toasts his brother George at the end of the film, calling him "The richest man in town"?  I think not.

2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas - I'm speaking of course of the original Boris Karloff-narrated version in which the spirit of Christmas triumphs over the manipulative machinations of the Grinch and his trusty sidekick, Max.  Although I'm a sucker for a happy ending, it's the lyrical prose of Dr. Seuss that wins me over, especially in his ode to the title character: 

You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch
You're a nasty, wasty skunk. 
Your heart is full of unwashed socks.
Your soul is full of gunk.
Mr. Grinch.

3. A Christmas Carol - Dickens' classic ghost story has been made and remade dozens of times so compelling is the tale of a crotchety miser being redeemed through the visitations of three spirits.  Ebenezer Scrooge has been played by a diverse showing of actors ranging from Henry Winkler and Bill Murray to George C. Scott and Walter Matthau.  My favorite versions are the Oscar-winning animated version with Alastair Sim voicing old Ebenezer (he also played the role in an early live-action version) and the musical version called "Scrooge" starring Albert Finney.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Okay, I'm not much of a fan of the Peanuts Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Valentines Day or New Years specials, but Vince Guaraldi's jazzy score and the Peanuts gang singing "Hark the Herald Angel Sing" at the end of this time-honored classic always helps me on my own personal quest for the meaning of the season.

Which holiday special signals the start of the season for you?  Take our poll and let us know!  Or if your favorite isn't listed, post it in the comments below.