It’s t-shirt Tuesday. The day where I choose one of my husband’s many amusing t-shirts as inspiration for my blog. Given my continued struggle with the book-mas tree this week (see blog from this weekend) and the fact that it’s still not complete, my choice of t-shirts this week will seem pretty fitting.

Here’s our current progress with the book-mas tree. See this picture of my poor dog whose “spot” by the window is covered in books as we struggle to complete this book-mas tree undertaking? Poor thing.

 

Here is this week’s t-shirt.

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Seems appropriate, right?

And since it’s Tuesday, let’s combine TWO things and make it a Twos-day: T-shirt Tuesday and Tuesday Top Ten. Inspired by this t-shirt and all the trees that secretly want to destroy us, here’s a list my top 10 funny holiday movies (bonus points to stories about hilarious family dysfunction)! And, it’s mostly movies.

10. Gremlins. Yes, Gremlins, you read that right. Now you know what kind of list this is going to be (ie, maybe not 100% conventional.) Not only is this considered a “comedy horror” film. It’s also considered a Christmas movie and a kids movie! Seriously, when I look up appropriate scary movies for my 6th grader, this movie comes up!  But why a Christmas movie? Well, it does start with a Dad buying a cute little Mogwai and actually makes some intelligent commentary about the commercialization of Christmas. Also, interesting note, Steven Spielberg was the film’s executive producer. Go figure.

9. Bad Santa. First, let me start out by saying this movie is not appropriate for the kiddos. But, you adults who’ve seen it know it’s a pretty hysterical, dark comedy. And, for me, it gets extra points for also starring Lorelai Gilmore (aka Lauren Graham.)

8. Scrooged. This one stars the always hilarious Bill Murray in one of his best crazy, rant-filled performances. It’s a modern (or at least modern at the time, 20+ years later it may feel like a classic now) take on Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

7. A Christmas Story. I have a secret. I’ve never seen this movie! (I know, freak out now.) But, I also don’t live under a rock and know people quote it all the time and many claim it is the funniest holiday movie ever. So, even though I haven’t seen it, I think it has to be on the list, right? I’ll try to watch it this year!

6. Trading Places. This movie has Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy and tons of funny. (Too young to know who they are? Sit back, watch it and be prepared to be impressed by how much you will laugh.) The Wikipedia descriptions sums it up well, if you’re not familiar. “It tells the story of an upper-class broker and a homeless street hustler whose lives cross paths when they are unknowingly made part of an elaborate bet.” And it all starts at a work Christmas party. A must-see classic comedy as far as I’m concerned, not just a must-see holiday movie.

5. Love, Actually. This movie has more subtle humor in it. It is British, after all. It’s a sweet romantic comedy and a nice holiday treat. It also gets bonus points for starring Mr. Darcy (aka Colin Firth who played the iconic Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary and was one of the best Mr. Darcy’s from Pride and Prejudice. Two books and movies/TV mini-series I love.) It also has Hugh Grant, who was also in Bridget Jones’s Diary. Double bonus! (If you’re watching with younger kids, make sure to watch the TV version.)
4. 8 Crazy Nights. Because it’s not all about Christmas, let’s not forget other holidays can be funny and dysfunctional too. This animated flick may not have gotten the best rotten tomatoes rating, but in the limited genre of Chanukah-themed comedies, this one is worth a watch and at the very least reminds us of the clever versions of “The Chanukah Song.” I’m always waiting for another one! (Don’t let the animation part fool you. This is also not appropriate for the kiddos.)
3. Elf. This funny film about a human raised as an elf in the North Pole who goes to NYC to find his biological Dad gets double points because the Dad is the head of a children’s publishing company and at the end the story becomes a children’s book. Yay books! (Sorry for the spoiler if you haven’t seen it. It’s not really integral to the laughs, though. You’ll still love it.) Plus it stars Will Farrell and “New Girl” Zooey Deschanel before she was The New Girl. It’s a feel good, happy movie that I want to watch every year, multiple times. Now, who wants some spaghetti with chocolate syrup?
2. Just Friends. It’s possible you may not have seen this or may not consider it a holiday movie. But it’s hilarious and the take-down of a massive Christmas display will make you fall out of your seat laughing. Plus, you won’t be able to stop singing the song from the movie, “Forgiveness.” (Spoiler: It’s more than saying sorry.) It stars the hysterically awesome Anna Faris and Ryan Reynolds. If you grew up in the 90’s at all, this movie will resonate. If you didn’t, I think you’ll still find it funny.

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Of course this has to be #1, right? The Griswolds own funny, dysfunctional holidays. And, it takes us full circle back to the trees…

 

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I would love to hear if there are any great funny holiday movies I’ve left off! Or books! I wanted to have this be a book and movie list, but struggled to really find funny holiday books. I’m open for suggestions, though!