My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen join forces to put on a benefit show for a retired World War II general who has a failing inn in Vermont. The music is memorable, the characters are great people and it has a “slam bang” finish.

In 1946, Frank Capra filmed It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart. This was right after the end of World War II and it is a soulful story of a man of character who has to overcome adversity and in the end, finds a true treasure in friendship. I love this movie.

Miracle on 34th Street is a must-see Christmas movie – even though most of us know what the surprise ending is. It is a throwback to a nicer, less complicated time when goodness meant more than money.

When I was a kid and there was only four TV channels, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas was a treat on a cold December night. It was funny, charming and had an uplifting message.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) was another simple yet classic film in the era of limited television. Frosty the Snowman was a similar animated TV special back then. These are not programs you need to see over and over again.

I have seen A Christmas Story so many times that I can almost mouth the dialogue. The characters – especially Ralphie – are so real and comical that it is fun to watch, especially with other people. It is set in a time frame that is close to when I grew up and that adds to the appeal.

Elf is an odd Christmas movie starring Will Farrell. It is just offbeat enough to make it something I enjoy seeing again and again.

The Grinch (2018) is a Dr. Seuss classic but I really don’t care to watch it any more because it is too far from reality. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) with Jim Carrey is too frantic and not very entertaining. You see it once and you’re done. The original How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) was an animated film that was just 26 minutes long. It was cool to watch back then, especially since it was true to the book.

If you have some oddballs in your family, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is a film you can relate to. And if ever had a boss who stiffed you and didn’t give you a Christmas bonus, this movie is for you.

The Santa Clause, starring Tim Allen, has its sentimental moments. It would be a draw for families that are dealing with divorce separations.

Home Alone has become a classic Christmas movie. Eight-year-old Kevin wishes his family would leave him and he gets his wish. The movie has a bunch of laughs and it ends with a meaningful message of reconciliation.

Four Christmases (with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) has a hard edge to it. Two self-absorbed people go to four family gatherings and make fun of each other and their parents and siblings. I don’t care much for this one.

Scrooged starring Bill Murray is a curious take on a classic story. A hard-charging TV executive is forced to revisit his dingy past and he realizes he must change. It has some pretty funny scenes. The original, A Christmas Carol (1938), was a classy portrayal of the Charles Dickens’ book.

Jingle All the Way (1996) stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sinbad as two frantic dads who want to get the same popular toy – but it is sold out. It makes a comment about materialism and Christmas and it has clever moments.

And there are some Christmas movies that are real stinkers.

Call Me Claus is about a woman named Lucy Collins (Whoopi Goldberg), a nasty network executive who unknowingly hires Santa Claus to play himself on their shopping network.

Santa with Muscles is a crazy movie starring WWE’s Hulk Hogan as Blake Thorn, a self-made billionaire who suffers amnesia after hitting his head, wakes up in a Santa suit, and believes he’s Santa.

Jingle All the Way 2, starring Larry the Cable Guy,  is about a dad who wants to get his daughter her favorite toy but then his ex-wife’s husband gets involved.

Fred Claus, starring Vince Vaughn, Fred Claus is about Santa’s older brother, who is a real jerk. After being thrown in jail, Fred calls his younger brother Nicolas to bail him out, which he agrees to do as long as Fred returns with him to the North Pole to work off his debt – which he does.

In A Christmas Story 2, 15-year-old Ralphie has his sights set on a new car, but before he can even get it off the lot, he accidentally damages it.

Add Home Alone 3, Babes in Toyland, Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), Surviving Christmas (2004) and Christmas with the Kranks (2004) to a short list of movies to avoid.

If you can’t decide what to watch, tune into the Hallmark Channel. I guarantee they will have a Christmas movie. You may not like it but your wife and daughter will.