It wasn't too long ago that Christmas not only brought the story of the nativity, but also life lessons to be learned. The holiday season was a warm time when neighbors smiled at one another. December itself seemed to remind us to be civil to each other. It wasn't the time to trample someone for the best buy at Walmart or to swear at the guy who cut you off in traffic. Even our entertainment taught us lessons.

So, in the spirit of how Christmas used to be, and still can be, our gift to you is this list of 10 Christmas movies that are fun and have important life lessons to teach us.

The epitome of all that is NOT the spirit of Christmas will forever be embodied in Charles Dickens' immortal character, Ebenezer Scrooge. There are several tellings of the classic A Christmas Carol, and all of them are pretty good. The benchmark may very well be the 1951 version starring Alistair Sim. Perhaps you could have fun each year by choosing one of the others too. They star Seymour Hicks (1935 – titled Scrooge) Reginald Owen (1938), Albert Finney (a 1970 musical – titled Scrooge), George C. Scott (1984), Patrick Stewart (1999), Kelsey Grammer (a 2004 musical) and even a modern day retelling called Scrooged starring Bill Murray (1988). We learn that we are never too old to be transformed and that generosity brings much joy.

Everyone matters and the world would be a different place without you. We discover this along with George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), as an angel shows him what life in his small town would be like if he chooses to take his own life and jump off of a bridge. The title says it all in It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

A Miracle on 34th Street (1947) starring Edmund Gwen as Kris Kringle touches us with the simple idea that it is important to have something to believe in during our daily lives. Kringle claims to be the real Santa Claus and is put on trial for doing so. A young Natalie Wood stars as Susan Walker, a little girl in need of something to believe in. Although this 1947 telling is our favorite, there are two remakes with some measure of charm as well – 1973 with Sebastian Cabot and the 1994 version with Richard Attenborough.

Along with great dance numbers and catchy songs, including the popular title hit, White Christmas (1954) introduces themes of friendship, loyalty, bravery and a host of all-American ideals through entertainers Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. The pair decides to raise money for their beloved commanding officer from World War II so that he can keep his cherished Vermont inn.

Not exactly a full length feature, the animated A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is still a wonderful viewing for the whole family. Follow Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas, and you may be reminded too. Besides, who can forget that ugly little tree he picked out for the Chistmas pageant?

In A Christmas Story (1983), there is only one thing on the entire planet that little Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) wants for Christmas – a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! This hysterical and nostalgic look at Christmas through the eyes of a child is sure to bring back memories from your own childhood. This film shows us that material objects cannot complete your life. In addition, you can introduce your family to the well-worn phrase, “You'll shoot your eye out!”

Due to some crude humor, A National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) is recommended only for the older members of your family. However, there are some endearing qualities about the story of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family. Everything that can go wrong does in this typical slapstick fashion. But through it all, Clark maintains his hope that the holiday can still be something special. Like A Christmas Story, Griswold puts most of his hopes in a single gift – a Christmas bonus from work with which he wants to purchase a swimming pool for his family.

Home Alone (1990) is a guilty pleasure of ours. Hardly considered a holiday classic by many, the slapstick humor and story of a young kid forgotten by his exasperated parents, giving him the run of an empty house is histerical. After doing all the things any boy might do if given complete freedom (overeating, not cleaning, staying up late, etc.), Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is visited by two bumbling burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) from whom he must defend his home. The most touching moments come from a sub plot about an elderly neighbor whom Kevin has misjudged as being something he is not. Lots of lessons here in regards to family, responsibility and prejudging others.

Despite lukewarm reviews, we think Jim Carrey was brilliant as the Grinch (whose “heart was two sizes too small”) in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). He was a perfect fit for the role and should have been nominated for an academy award. This full length version of the animated classic by Dr. Seuss is filled with energy and expands the story of the original. Both are great and the message is the same: “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?” This is a great film that teaches us the true meaning of Christmas. 

Finally, along with Scrooge and the Grinch, Elf (2003) shows us the joys of giving. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, an elf who is adopted into the family of Santa's helpers, and journey's into New York City to find his birth father. Yes, his real Dad (James Caan) is an Ebenezer Scrooge sort of guy. His heart must be melted by Buddy's child like optimism and humble spirit. The overgrown elf loves Christmas and chooses to live life to the fullest. So should we!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

 —Dan Kulp