With the snow settled on the ground, and the holidays less than a month away, it’s finally time to admit that winter is indeed here. However, this also means it’s the perfect occasion to cozy up in front of the fireplace with a thick cup of hot chocolate, and watch your favorite Christmas movie. Don’t know which movie to watch? Why not start with these top five classics:

“Home Alone”

“Home Alone” is the perfect depiction of every teenager’s dream: home alone without the company of any adults. Eight-year old Kevin McCallister is accidently left at home when his family flies out on a trip to Paris for Christmas. Although all seems heavenly at first, he encounters two greedy burglars, and is faced with the task of protecting his house. Although released in the 1990’s, this comedy remains a favorite holiday movie among many, and has four sequels with a variety of cast members.

“It’s a Wonderful Life”

Straying away from comedy, “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a drama depicting the troubles of a man who has sacrificed his dreams for the good of his town. George Bailey, a generous and giving man, finds himself suicidal one Christmas Eve when an $8000 loan gets misplaced and the schemes of an evil millionaire, Mr. Potter, are revealed. However, the prayers of his loved ones causes his guardian angel, Clarence, to fall to Earth, and help him with the hope of gaining his wings. He shows George a horrific vision of what would have happened if he would never had been born, and helps reveal all the lives George has touched over his years.

“Miracle on 34th Street”

“Miracle on 34th Street” is the perfect movie to get you in the Christmas miracle mood. It follows the story of Macy’s director Doris Walker, who recruits a last minute replacement for a Santa for Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. However, it seems this “imposer”, Kris Kringle, is all too perfect for his job, so much so that he claims to be the real Santa Claus. As Doris has trained both herself and her daughter, Susan, to not believe in any Christmas magic, Kris becomes dedicated to convincing them of his identity. Their suspicions lead to a court case, and ultimately a quest to reinstate that Christmas magic.

“The Santa Clause” (1, 2, and 3)

When Scott Calvin accidentally causes “Santa” to fall off his roof, he finds a reindeer sleigh and a note asking him to complete Santa’s tasks. Before he knows it, he’s travelling all around the world, dropping gifts through chimneys and distributing presents. His evening ends at the North Pole, where he is told by elves that he is now Santa. Although his son Charlie appears proud of his dad’s new job, will Scott be able to fill in Santa’s shoes while keeping his new identity a secret from his family?

“Elf”

If you like Will Ferrell and Christmas, this is your movie. Playing Buddy, an orphan who was stowed away in Santa’s sack, Ferrell finds himself at the North Pole under Santa’s care. Years later, Buddy is allowed by Santa to visit New York City in order to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Although raised by elves, Buddy experiences the city for the first time, and uncovers the reality of being a human. However, little does he know that Hobbs is on Santa’s naughty list. Will his relationship with his father be able to change his character for the better good?