What's Your Favorite Holiday Movie?

It’s that time of the year when we curl up with our loved ones in a blanket and take the time to enjoy our favorite holiday movies. Some of us reach for the classics and others like the newer releases. I asked a few of our local community members what their favorite holiday movies are and received a variety of answers.

Some of the people that I asked stuck to the more traditional choices- the classics. Pam Green, of Morgan Stanley and Jacky Touba, President of North Country Arts both chose It’s a Wonderful Life. Pam says that the movie always makes her smile. Jacky has seen the movie many times, but it is still the holiday movie she is always willing to watch again. She says that it reminds her of “how important personal relationships are and the meaning of friendship”.

Others have favorites that are less known. Kim Sopczyk is the Director of Family Services Association of Glens Falls. This is a very busy time of year for Kim at FSA. They are working hard to make sure families in need are supported during the holidays through the “Adopt a Family” program. When Kim has time to relax she is looking forward to watching the 2007 Finnish film Joulutarina. It is a movie she stumbled on and fell in love with because it is “very visual, calming, and festive”. Kathy Naftaly, Director of the Crandall Library also chose a lesser known holiday movie as her favorite. Metropolitan is more of a ‘Christmas-adjacent’ movie and not your standard holiday movie. Set in the '60s, the movie is the story of college students returning home for Winter break for the first time. Kathy loves the movie for its banter and subtext!

And of course some people can’t choose just one favorite movie, and who can blame them!? Both Liz Wilcox of Samantha’s Café and Kevin Baxter of Amanda’s House chose Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas as one of their favorites. Kevin thinks of the Nightmare before Christmas as a “mature version of the Grinch,” and enjoys the message that through all of the chaos we must find the true meaning of Christmas. His second favorite is the comedy, Christmas Vacation, which he likes because it captures the spirit and difficulties of the holidays. Kevin also reminded me that because of Christmas Vacation we all have the very real fear of a squirrel jumping out of a freshly cut Christmas tree!! With all of the renovations and last minute tasks that go into opening the new Glen Street location of Samantha’s Cafe I don’t know when Liz will have time, but hopefully she can put her feet up and enjoy the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with her family.

With all the hustle and bustle that goes on during the holidays it’s nice to let go and just enjoy, whether it’s with a classic, a comedy, or a lesser-known flick. No matter what you are celebrating and what you decide to watch I hope that you have a happy Holiday. And if you are looking for a new favorite- may I recommend my favorite, Elf! “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”

Blog post written by Candice Frye

Candice is the Community Outreach Coordinator for LARAC. She also is a coordinator for the Glens Falls Farmers' Market and is actively involved with the Glens Falls Collaborative and Kiwanis of Glens Falls. When she's not working she loves to spend time with her family, friends, and two best dogs in the world Ace and Lulu!