Wonder Voyage’s Top 5 Christmas Movies
In 2021, we asked our Wonder Voyage leaders what their favorite Christmas movie was. While I was expecting some classics like “Miracle on 34th Street” or “White Christmas,” our crew returned with a wide variety of responses. When the tabulations were complete, we counted down the top 5.
Georgia Small connects with the movie on a personal level. Her grandfather read Luke 2 every Christmas, and the film reminds her of that childhood memory. “Every time I watch, and even to this very day, when Linus tells of the true story of Christmas, my eyes well up with the familiar salty sting. The hope and joy resonated as Linus shares Luke’s story of a Saviour-come to earth- as a tiny, vulnerable babe brings renewed delight to my soul and tears to my eyes.” Read her full story.
Eric Neubauer said he connects with the typical-American-family image portrayed in the movie. “I can’t remember when I first saw the movie, but I identified with it right away and connected immediately with the family eating dinner together, the mother serving everyone, and the dad fighting the furnace. I immediately felt like I journeyed home to my parent’s and grandparents’ houses.” Read his full story.
Michael Flickinger connects with this movie for an unusual reason. “So many Christmas movies are pretty awful! I like this one because it’s a little sentimental without overdoing it, and it remains fairly true to the original story by Dickens.” Read his full story.
Chris Larson connects with quotable family chaos in this outside-the-box holiday movie. “It hits all the marks for a Christmas movie, it has family chaos/drama, it’s a John Hughes Movie, and it’s great to watch with a group of people. When you’ve watched it enough times, it’s very quotable both while watching the movie and in life.” Read his full story.
#1 Elf
Molly Wren finds a unique connection between the number one movie on our list and the classic, “Rudolph.” “When one of my friends asked me why I liked it so much, I realized that it is because Elf is the new version of Rudolph. He doesn’t fit in. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He finds community. AND he saves Christmas. He does all of that purely by being Buddy. His childlike wonder as he discovers New York City – all the sights the sounds, the smells – reminds me of how I felt when I first went there. It is my reminder that hope is a good thing, and it’s best for me to be me.” Read her full story.
Do you have a favorite Christmas movie that didn’t make the cut? Tell us about it. Share your thoughts here, on Facebook or Instagram.
Jamie has been involved with Wonder Voyage for over 15 years. Her passion is connecting givers with worthwhile project as our Legacy Director.