The countdown to Christmas has begun less than a week away. Now is the time when parents have to deal with excited children and gift wrapping. A good way to wind down is to sit the family down to watch a good old Christmas movie. Here are the top ten childhood Christmas movies of all time, starting with the greatest to the not so great:

1. The Polar Express (2004)- A doubtful boy takes a journey to the North Pole after he believes that there is no Santa Claus. The young boy will soon the discover the wonders of life and which he will remember for the rest of his life. From friendship to bizarre events, The Polar Express surely deserves the title of being number one.
2. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)- You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. The Grinch is surely one to remember from his green skin to his devious plots to ruin Christmas. He is the best Christmas villain of all time. Well, that was until a little girl in pink, who thinks everyone deserves a good Christmas, makes his tiny heart.
3. Home Alone (1990)- Kevin McCallister wishes his family would disappear and leave him alone. Little did he know that he would get his Christmas wish a bit early! His parents accidentally leave him home alone while going on a trip to Paris. Kevin would soon find out that he needed his family as he faced burglars all alone. Many remember this movie as funny and enjoyable, while maybe also teaching that family will always love you, and hopefully come back after they leave you home alone.
4. A Christmas Carol by Disney (2009)- Being greedy is never the answer as Ebenezer Scrooge will soon find out. He will be visited by three ghost who show him that his evil, greedy ways need to stop and learn the spirit of Christmas and joy.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)- Halloween is over and Christmas is right around the corner. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, decides that this year he would be Santa and deliver creepy gifts to everybody. Despite his seemingly good intentions, no one wants a gift eating snake or scary jack-in-the-box head for Christmas. Jack will always be remembered as the skeleton who almost ruined Christmas.
6. Jingle All the Way (1996)- Arnold Schwarzenegger faces his most harrowing enemy yet, the holiday shopping crowd. Schwarzenegger is desperate to get the last remaining Turbo-Man action figure on Christmas Eve even if it means fighting a Santa with candy-cane nun-chucks. Who doesn’t like a good fight scene with Santa and candy cane nun chunks and a man who truly becomes a hero for his son?
7. The Santa Clause (1994)- Scott Calvin is upset to find that his ex-wife and her new husband have told his young son that Santa isn’t real. On Christmas Eve, while reading The Night before Christmas, Scott finds that someone is on his roof and calls out to person. He accidentally startles Santa Claus, who falls and vanishes, leaving an eight reindeer sleigh and a suit. Then Scott has to take over the responsibility of being Santa.
8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)- Charlie is feeling a little bit down this time of year and so he decides to direct the Christmas play. But what’s Christmas without a tree? Charlie picks a tiny tree and everybody makes fun of him for it, but they soon find out the true meaning of Christmas with that small tree. Peanut childhood fans know so well that they learn a thing or two from Charlie Brown’s Christmas.
9. Frosty The Snowman (1969)- A discarded magic top hat brings to life a snowman, Frosty, that a group of children made. Until a magician, Professor Hinkle, wants his lost hat back and the temperature starts to rise, putting the snowman in danger. Frosty will melt and no longer be a jolly soul if the kids cannot get him away from Hinkle and the warm weather, so he hops a train to the North Pole with young Karen.
10. Elf (2003)- A little baby snuck into Santa’s bag of gifts and is accidentally transported to the North Pole and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York in full elf uniform in search of his real father. Unfortunately, Buddy’s father, Walter Hobbs, is on the naughty list, being a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves Buddy is his son, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results while reviving the lost belief in Santa Claus.