It seems that every year I get excited for Christmas earlier & earlier—it’s the most magical time of the year, I can’t help it! If you’re like me, you’ve already started thinking about if not already watching your favorite holiday movies - *I type on November 8th while watching The Holiday 😅*.  If you’re looking for some new films to watch or are simply looking to be reminded of some greats you haven’t watched in a while, here’s a list of some of my favorite movies -  & houses to look at - during the holiday season.

1. The Holiday (2006)

This is one of my absolute favorite movies to watch during the holidays & I usually end up watching it more than once! Not only does this star-studded film have a super cute storyline, the real estate featured in the film is also spectacular.  Iris’ tiny cottage “Rosehill” (pictured below) and Amanda’s LA mansion will make you wish you could take turns swapping homes with both characters! Personally, I'd love to spend Spring & Summer in Amanda's LA home & Fall & Winter split between Iris & Graham's English homes...

2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

Another iconic film with an iconic home! This is one of those movies we watch over & over again during the holidays - it's become a tradition for my family to watch it on Christmas night.  Clarke Griswold's attempt to host his first family Christmas despite every possible thing going wrong will make you cry laughing.  I don't know about the cat but I sure do enjoy watching this at least 5 times every holiday season 😉.

3. Chalet Girl 2011

While this isn’t a holiday movie, it’s still a wintertime movie that makes you want to curl up on the couch in your Christmas PJs while drinking hot coco next to your Christmas tree.  When an unsuspecting girl has the chance to work as a Chalet Girl at Johnny's (played by Ed Westwick) family ski chalet in the Austrian Alps, she has no idea what she's getting herself into. It's just a fun, star-studded, feel-good movie with a stunning ski chalet & mountains as the backdrop.  I can't recommend this movie enough!

4. The Grinch (2018)

This is by far my favorite Grinch.  As someone who grew up with the Jim Kerry version, it's nice to see a more cuddly Grinch! The updated theme song by Tyler, the Creator, the Grinch's sarcasm, Mr. Bricklebaum enthusiasm for Christmas, Max & Fred - everything about this new version of the classic tale is just perfect.  But my favorite thing about this Grinch is Whoville! It's the winter wonderland village of my dreams...

4. Home Alone (1990)

Growing up, I couldn't help feeling a little jealous that Kevin could do & eat whatever he wanted without anyone telling him no. As an adult, I'm just dying to know what Mr. McCallister does for work to afford such a big beautiful home & send his whole family to Paris for Christmas...🤣 This is a timeless classic that deserves a few watches during the holidays.

5. The Spirit of Christmas (2015)

Ok, I have to be honest here, I LOVE throwing on the Hallmark & Great American Family channels during the holiday season - they're just such cheery movies, even if they can be super cheesy/cringy. While this movie isn't a Hallmark film, it has a lot of Hallmark elements & is a lesser known movie - it's a cute story about a very handsome ghost, a lawyer & a beautiful Vermont inn. If you're like Iris from The Holiday and are looking for a little corny in your life, this is a great movie for you.

6. The Santa Clause (1994)

I love this adaptation of Santa - Tim Allen is equal parts jolly & disgruntled as Chris Kringle which makes this series (particularly Santa Clause 1 & 2 & the spinoff TV series The Santa Clauses) funny for both kids & adults. The final scenes take place at Charlie's mom's house & I just love the big lights lining the roof & on all of the trees as onlookers watch Santa and his sleigh full of reindeer take off.

7. Home Alone 2 (1992)

Christmas at The Plaza, a limo & a giant cheese pizza all for me - another movie where Kevin lives out my dream (minus the whole Sticky Bandits thing)...

8. Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

This is another Christmas comedy we are always sure to watch during the holidays - Tim Allen & Jamie Lee Curtis are a hilarious duo. The couple decide to cancel their first Christmas as empty-nesters & go on a cruise until their daughter decides to surprise them by coming home on Christmas Eve! This will be an especially fun movie for those living in the suburbs to watch as Luther & Nora navigate telling their neighbors they won't be participating in the neighborhood traditions this holiday season - only to turn around & ask them for help.

9. Home Alone 3 (1997)

I know, I know - why do I have Home Alone on here three times?! If you've seen the series, you'll know that the third film is with an entirely new family & storyline.  Alex is a young boy who's stuck sick at home alone who just so happens to have a very important toy car - and that's all I'll say on the matter in case you haven't seen it.  If you love looking at houses while watching movies (of course you do, why else would you be reading this?) Alex's parents' Tudor style home is the not only a looker, but doubles as the perfect place for catching criminals!

10 . Elf (2003)

I should mention that this article was written in no particular order & thus does not reflect any film ranking of any kind.  I say this because Elf is hands down one of the best Christmas movies to ever be & that ever will be made.  Will Ferrell does it again but this time he makes it fun for the whole family to enjoy.  Between spending time in the cute cottages of the North Pole drinking coco, hanging out with Leon the snowman & Mr. Narwhal or running around New York City getting into snowball fights, prepping a toy store for Santa - & then proceeding to call out said "Santa" bc the real Santa doesn't smell like cheese (identity theft is a crime, Jim) -  & cutting down a tree in Central Park to decorate Emily & Walter's apartment, I can't decide which place I'd rather spend with Buddy during the holiday season.  Where would you rather be?

Now, I know what some of you are thinking - why aren’t Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life & A Christmas Story on this list? In all honesty, these aren't among my favorite Christmas movies to watch during the holiday season (I know, I know, don't @ me). That being said, there are plenty of iconic homes between the three that I would be remiss not to include, so please see below!