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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Shay ·

Stranded: Christmas Movies


It’s Stranded!!

And today’s post is one of my favorite topics: CHRISTMAS MOVIES.

And everyone said amen 🙂 .

So, this year, we’ve been stranded on our deserted island with several things.  Let’s recap first, shall we?

We’ve been stranded with:

1: Our 3 favorite books.

2: Our 3 favorite shows on Netflix.

3: Our 3 favorite famous people.

4: Our 3 favorite types of footwear.

5: Our 3 favorite pieces of Halloween candy.

6: Our 3 favorite types of outerwear.

And today, Erika and I are sharing our 3 favorite Christmas movies.

Now, I did a post just like this three years ago, and even though all three of today’s movies are on that post, I have them in a different order now.

If I had to take only three Christmas movies with me to watch over and over again on a deserted island they would be:

A Christmas Story.

You know how on Christmas day, TBS plays A Christmas Story 24 hours in a row.  You know how you probably think, who would watch that so many times in a row?  The answer is me. I am that person who watches A Christmas Story at least 4 times that day.  I. Cannot. Stop.  The leg lamp, the tongue to the pole, the air rifle, the mom, the dad, the fudge word…I adore this movie.  I am that person.

Now, these next two movies would be my top two…and not just Christmas movies, they rank in my top 5 movies of all time (I’ll put them in order in just a minute for you).  I basically watch these two on repeat right now and I’m not even stranded on a deserted island…so, there’s that.

Love Actually.

This is one of my favorite movies.  Ever.  Each and every story line in this movie speaks to me.  Now, if you haven’t seen it before, there is some nudity, so be aware.  They do also play it on TV a lot edited, so you might want to watch that if you’re worried about the adult content.  The brief nudity is really the only part that would make it rated R, so you don’t really have to worry about the language and there’s no violence.  All of that to say…GIVE ME ALL THE HUGH GRANT AND COLIN FIRTH.  Thank you.  (Their names will be appearing again in a minute…)  I love this movie.  It makes me happy each and every time I watch it and it always puts me in the Christmas spirit.

And my very favorite Christmas movie is…

…The Holiday.

Oh Jude Law.

(I clearly have a type: Hugh, Colin, Jude…they’re all British guys.  Ironically, I married a farm boy from Missouri and not an Englishman…but he shops at Burberry so it’s basically the same thing, no? 😉 ).

I love The Holiday.  I love all of Nancy Meyers’ films (see below…).  This movie, the score, the characters (did you know that Kate Winslet is one of my very favorite actresses?  SHE’S BRILLIANT!), the setting, that cottage, that house, the snow, Jude Law, Jude, Law, Jude Law.  I cannot get enough of this holiday flick.  Love it.

So…what are my favorite movies?  Here’s my list in reverse order…

When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail
It’s Complicated
Love Actually
Something’s Gotta Give
The Holiday
Bridget Jones

What are your favorite holiday movies?  I would of course like to bring White Christmas, Elf, both Home Alones, Christmas Vacation and Christmas with the Kranks too :).  Comment and share your favorite holiday movies AND your favorite all-time movies!

And coming in 2017, instead of Stranded, Erika and I are hosting a new monthly link up…

…Workin’ it Wednesdays.

We were chatting the other day about how we feel like we’re always working it.  You know, as busy mamas, we’re literally working (we both work from home), but we also work it in other areas too: raising kids, working on our marriages, figuring out how to get out of the sweatpants and into real clothes some days, taking care of ourselves, juggling sports/therapies/dinner making…LIFE.  So, we thought we could all share once a month how we all work it and hopefully give each other some tips and ideas (plus motivate and encourage one another).  Here’s the list for 2017:

So, if you linked up today, remember to link up to this next month!

Okay…link, link, link and share, share, share!

xo

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Comments

  2. Taylor says

    This year I’m all about Home Alone, which cracks me up! It’s been a few years since I’ve seen it, so I guess I was just missing it! And It’s a Wonderful Life – every year!

  4. Jade says

    Oh I love the new topics!!! I feel like I’m always trying to “work it”!!! #juggling…or do I mean #struggling, haha 🙂

    • Jeanette Williams says

      AS a nurse I have had the opportunity to meet and care for some interesting people. Several years ago one of my patients was the lady that A League of Their Own was based on. She was quite interesting! Very friendly and upbeat. She talked about meeting Penny Marshall and the filming of the movie. She was also a Christian lady that wasn’t shy in letting you know it :). She hated television, would not even turn it on, thought it was a huge waste of time, called it the one eyed monster, LOL.

  8. Tamara R. says

    Agree on The Holiday and Love Actually. Would add The Family Stone. I cry ever time I watch it!

  9. Sheaffer Sims says

    THE HOLIDAY MAKES ME SOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY! I mean, THE TENT SCENE! COME ON! And the new series sounds so fun!

  11. jamie says

    thanks for the reminder to watch THE HOLIDAY! i bought it on amazon prime last year! guess what i’ll be watching tonight??!? and…i’ve never seen A CHRISTMAS STORY {hangs head in shame}. i am SO EXCITED about “workin’ it wednesdays”. i love the fun ideas to keep your blog{s} fresh.

  13. Erika Slaughter says

    Wait for it…I’ve never seen The Christmas Story.
    Are you in shock over there? Never once. I don’t know why. Maybe this year on Christmas Eve we’ll watch?! And thanks for being stranded on an island with me all year! I had a blast! XO

  14. Sarah says

    I live the new series for 2017! I’m a SAHM who works part-time from home and is raising three kiddos six and under. I can use all the tips that y’all can offer!

    And my absolute favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas. My daughters, who are 6 and 4, beg to watch it, so it’s become my favorite because of them. But I can’t get through the season without a dose of the Griswolds, either.

    And now I’ll be thinking about Jude Law… ????

  19. Tracie says

    Have you seen the Broadway show “A Christmas Story”? It came to Dallas a few years ago and was part of my ticket package. It was fantastic!!!! I can’t wait for it to return so I can take the kids. The song of dancing leg lamps, so funny! http://achristmasstorythemusical.com

  20. Hollie says

    I love all of the movies you listed but my ULIMATE favorite is Family Man. It has Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni staring in it. Setting is around Christmas and Nicolas’s character is living the high-life in NYC but wakes up in a life he could have had. Such a sweet movie…appreciate life with a family rather than the work and making money. That is my MUST see movie for the Christmas season. You’ll have to add that to your list this year to watch!

    • Lisa says

      I agree with Hollie. Please Shay watch Family Man and let us know what you think. Nick Cage is nooooo Jude Law but the message is sweet and one you will understand and love!! I promise it wont dissapoint. 😉

  21. Dana Miller says

    Two things first: this is my first time leaving a comment–reforming lurker, I guess! ???? And I’m an above the knee amputee. (I lost my leg at 16 to a very rare and very aggressive form of cancer. Amputation, lots of chemo, loads of prayer and I’ve been cancer free (except for skin cancer–get those skin checks!) ever since. God even blessed us with our one and only child that I wasn’t supposed to have because of all the chemo! Anyway, the first time I saw A Christmas Story was in college, about 3 years after my amputation. At the time, I had about 5 artificial legs in my closet. (When you first begin wearing a prosthesis, there is a lot of shrinkage of your residual limb, necessitating new legs & as expensive as those things are, you feel bad just throwing them out! Not to mention the frights they would give the garbage men ????). I laughed WAY to ol hard at the leg lamp scene because all I could think of was “I could do that!” It’s been a favorite movie of mine ever since. (You have to appreciate leg humor when you find it!!) After years of searching, I finally found the leg lamp night light this year & am on the search for the leg lamp Christmas lights–a little gaudy I guess but, oh, so funny! Merry Christmas to your sweet family!

  22. Megan says

    My family watches A Christmas Story on TBS every year on Christmas Day as well! I keep telling my boys they are getting those hideous bunny pj’s. Ha!
    I included You’ve Got Mail in my picks today because, well part of it is set at Christmas time so it should count as a Christmas movie. Plus it is my favorite movie of all time.
    Looking forward to the Working It linkup!

    http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com

  24. Jill berry says

    Family stone, 10 times over. My husband and I watch it EVERY christmas night, after all the kids are in bed. Must see! ????

  25. Dana Miller says

    Two things first: this is my first time ever leaving a comment–reforming lurker????, I guess! And I am an above the knee amputee. I lost my leg at 16 due to a very rarer, very aggressive form of cancer. Amputation, lots of chemo, loads of prayer–I’ve been cancer free ever since (except for skin cancer–get those skin checks!). God even blessed us with the child I was never supposed to have because of chemo! Anyway, the first time I saw A Christmas Story I was in college and had been an amputee about three years. I also had about 5 artificial legs sitting in my closet! (When you first begin wearing prostheses, your residual limb shrinks a lot necessitating new limbs & you hate to throw them out because they are CRAZY expensive–not to mention the frights you may give the garbage men!!) I laughed WAY too hard at the leg lamp scene because all I could think was “I could do that!” It has been a favorite movie ever since. (You have to appreciate leg humor when you find it! ????). After years of searching, I finally got the leg lamp night light this year! I’m on the hunt for the leg lamp Christmas lights–a little gaudy, I know, but, oh, so funny! Oh, wouldn’t a ugly Christmas sweater with the leg lamp be great?!????? Merry Christmas to your sweet family!

  26. Jody says

    You would totally think we were BFF’s based on your movie list…my all time favorite movie, not just Christmas, is The Holiday as well. I love that movie…everything about it! : ) Merry Christmas and Happy 2017!!

  27. Whitney Pegram says

    Love all those movies!! The Christmas Story is one of my favs & I have to add Home Alone 1 & 2 also. I mean, I’m a sucker for those!! Can’t wait for the new link up! It’s going to be a good one!

  28. heidi says

    Love actually and the holiday are my absolute favorite movies this time of year!
    They make me smile throughout the whole videos!

  29. Paula says

    My top 3 Christmas are….

    1)White Christmas! A must here!

    2)Christmas Vacation! I love the Griswold’s!

    3) This is tricky…
    Cartoon: Annabelle’s Wish…sweetest movie ever!
    Peope: Home Alone or Dennis The Menace Christmas! Both movies collectively we watch as a family a crack up!

  30. Kristy moore says

    I’d have to add in Jerry Maguire to my top list- “show me the money!”, but my absolute favourite movie is Anne of Green Gables!

  31. Kelly says

    Looking forward to ‘ Workin’ It Wednesdays ‘. It sounds like it will be significant and relevant to life as a mom, wife etc. 🙂

  32. Jenna says

    I love the Christmas Story. I also just watched The Holiday for the first time a couple of weekends ago. What a great movie. Love Actually is another great movie as well. I am excited for the link up for next year! Have a great day.

  33. Kristen says

    Yes! The Holiday! And A Christmas Story…it just NEVER EVER gets old! Fra-gee-lay .. that must be Italian! HA!

  34. Kelly says

    I don’t know that I could pick a favorite Christmas movie. We watch our old favorites year after year and when you throw in the Hallmark Channel it’s #christmasmoviesallthetime around here. I love the topics for the new monthly link-up. Good stuff, ladies!;).

  35. Jennifer says

    Today I feel like we could be best friends. This movie list is PERFECT. Can I join you for a day of just watching those flicks? Merry Christmas!

  36. Ashley Clark says

    I love The Grinch with Jim Carrey and of course Christmas Vacation. But my favorite holiday movie is While You Were Sleeping! I just watched it for the millionth time. The characters are all so lovable and I love Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. It’s also really funny and the story of how she falls in love with tje whole family is really sweet! It’s on Netflix right now!

  37. Karen says

    I love all those movies too!! BUT I still haven’t watched Love Actually. I’ve started it twice (for only five minutes), and I’ve thought – nah! BUT, you’ve convinced me to watch further into it!!
    Merry Christmas! And, yes, as other said, watch Family Stone. Took me two times to fall in love with it! (have Kleenexes for some parts, fair warning)!

  38. SMD @ Life According to Steph says

    First time linking up! A Christmas Story is on my list too.

    Bridget Jones is one of my favorites, but overall hands down my favorite is Dirty Dancing.

  39. Kari Maddox says

    My husband and I watch Four Christmases when the kids are asleep (1 adult situation – small language) but VERY FUNNY with having to go to 4 different Christmases because of divorces. Vince Vaughn & Reece Witherspoon! I love it and can watch OVER AND OVER AND OVER because it’s THAT funny!

  40. Erika D. says

    Favorite Christmas Movies are “White Christmas” and “Christmas in Connecticut”! Both old but must-sees! My favorite all time romantic comedy…”Only You”! Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. in Italy! It doesn’t get much better than that!

  41. Ruth says

    I heart Christmas movies! It would be difficult to choose, but I love Elf and Home Alone for laughs The Family Stone and The Holiday for a more serious theme. My family also enjoys A Muppets Christmas Carol, probably my favorite version of the story.

  42. Erin says

    It’s Complicated is one of my all time favorites also! As well as many others on your list.. but I got excited when I read that it was on there because I feel like hardly anybody has even heard of it! I could watch it all the time!

  43. Michelle says

    Hav you seen Four Christmases with Reese Witherspoon? It’s one of my favorites! Love the new series you’ll be starting!

  44. Misty says

    I can not believe that Christmas Vacation has not been mentioned!! It is a FAVORITE in my family. We watch it over and over…hilarious!

  45. Kayla B says

    LOVE The Holiday and Love Actually. For me, I think they’d be in a different order (pretty sure Love Actually is my favorite movie of all time), but spot on. Your list of favorites includes pretty much all of the romantic comedy movies I love, although, I’ve never seen Something’s Gotta Give. Based on your list, I think I’ll have to give it a try!

  46. Julie says

    Love the ‘Workin’ it Wednesday’ idea. It is always amazing to hear from other moms about how they make their lives work. We women do so much, and it’s so good to be reminded that there isn’t ONE right way to get by. Looking forward to it!

    I’m with you on ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Elf.’ I also love love love ‘While you were sleeping’ for some reason! I watch every single year and am so happy my daughter is now old enough to watch with me too 🙂

  48. Jen says

    Love Actually is definitely on my holiday movie list. My favorite, though? Die Hard. LOVE IT. And I always have to watch White Christmas. My husband and daughter would include Elf, Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation.
    Happy Holidays!

  50. Lynsey Nuckols says

    Shay, you are on a roll!! Your Simmers book popped up on my Amazon Prime today to preorder!! Congrats!

  51. Amanda Bordonaro says

    The holiday is my favourite movie of all time!! I just love it!
    Love actually is also a top 5 for me. You should watch serendipity. It’s a very sweet movie 🙂

  52. Shawn Paulson says

    So all of your favorite movies are my favorite movies. The only one I haven’t seen is Bridget Jones and that is on my to do list. Great minds as they say . . . .

  53. Stephanie says

    You are my soul sister when it comes to movie favorites – especially the Christmas ones, but also the other genres, too! The Holiday – I cannot say enough about how much I LOVE that movie. Same for Love Actually. And it is almost a toss up, but The Holiday ranks ever so slightly higher, mainly because Jude Law, but also just the acting, the whole plot, Kate Winslet finally breaking free from her cycle of self-destruction. It is so so so good. 🙂

  54. Heather S says

    I hear ya with the English men and hubs Burberry addiction! Lets be honest, I might just be an addict too???? scarves, boots, jackets and bags…I love ’em all equally ????????

  55. Ali J says

    Christmas Story absolutely because Jean Shepherd and I both grew up in Hammond, Indiana. Otherwise, Elf and Christmas with the Kranks. I think I’ve watched Elf at least four times and Christmas with the Kranks three times. I’d also take National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – I can watch that one year round!

  56. Alicia F says

    It’s a Wonderful Life is hands down the best Christmas movie. It is also on my best list. The Holiday is also so great (Hello, Jude Law) but nothing beats It’s A Wonderful Life.

  57. Lindsay @ Lindsay's Sweet World says

    Love Actually is my #1 favorite movie of all time EVER! Christmas and non-Christmas! Hubs and I have watched it together at Christmastime every single year since it came out, which also happens to be every single year since we’ve been together. (We started dating in August 2003, just three months before the movie hit theaters.) So anyway, it is not only the best movie ever, but it also holds a very special place in my heart because it’s something that Brian and I both love. Plus, it just makes me so stinking HAPPY every single time I see it. And our annual viewing just happens to be this Friday… I cannot wait!

  58. Nikki says

    Love all the movies you listed. I watched “Love Actually” last night only :O :O That movie puts a smile on my face even on the gloomiest of days …. and so does “The Holiday”! I love reading your blog and I usually read it in my Feedly app so don’t get to leave comments, but today here I am! 😉 You are such a great Mama and you make it all look so easy, although I am very sure that there is a lot of effort and patience that makes it all happen! Please keep the “Life lately” posts coming! Your kids are adorable! Merry Christmas to your family!

  61. Dana Powell says

    Great list…Family Man, The Holiday, and Four Christmases are our top 3 around here. We watch them over and over during the Christmas season!

  63. Lisa says

    I love the new topics for next year. I was hoping you would continue with this monthly link up. It’s one of my favorites. Thanks!

  65. RoseMary N says

    The Christmas Story was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio not far from where I was born (Akron-Go LeBron James! The inside and outside of the home has been completely restored to how it looked during filming! There is also a museum across the street with all the movie props and artifacts. There is also a gift shop with many movie recreations for sale.
    The department store scene with Santa and the slide was filmed in the middle of the night (the store remained open during filming-it was the holiday season) and hundreds of extras were used! So they had to go to DT Cleveland night after night! That department store-Higbees-
    Is now a casino…boohoo

  66. Kathy says

    Love, love, love The Holiday and The Family Stone! I think The Family Stone is my fav. though. Such a great movie!

  67. Angela Ellingson says

    Love this!! My favorite movies consist of basically every Christmas movie. They just make me happy! Your new link up sounds fun!

  68. Shan says

    The Christmas Shoes is my all time favourite holiday movie, it makes me happy and ball my eyes out every time ! Also love Elf for laughs that’s a must see every holiday season !

  71. Julia says

    Everyone watch While You Were Sleeping, starring Sandra Bullock. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up on some of your top ten lists. It’s sweet, hilarious, and it will make your heart very happy.

  72. Sascha says

    I love Serendipity w/John Cusack & Kate Beckinsale – great movie, wonderful soundtrack. The movie starts during Christmastime in NY. I love The Holiday too. A great one to watch with young kids is Eloise at Christmastime – based on the Eloise book character and Julie Andrews plays Eloise nanny. Our kids also like Unaccompanied Minors.

  73. Lauren says

    We like to see how many times we can watch Christmas Story all the way through while we “wait for Santa.” Typically, my boys are in bed by 9pm on Christmas Eve so we have already missed an hour. This year I think we watched it through one and a half times. I do not put ANYTHING ELSE on TV on Christmas Eve. We watch it a few times through on Christmas Day as well.

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