By Sarah Hendrix | Staff Writer

‘Tis the season of carols, cocoa and Christmas movies. This year try celebrating the holiday season with 12 Christmas movies to countdown the 12 days of Christmas.

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

In an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Christmas Carol” that was first published in 1843, the Muppets have come up with their own rendition of the classic Christmas story. Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Michael Caine) and his assistant Bob Cratchit (played by Kermit the Frog) are working overtime during the holiday season, when Scrooge begrudgingly agrees to give Cratchit Christmas Day off. On the night of Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts: the ghost of Christmas past, of Christmas present and of Christmas yet to come. The ghosts reveal to Scrooge the true message of Christmas with the hope that he will choose to change his ways before it’s too late. This holiday classic is one of the oldest Christmas stories around and the Muppets comical rendition of the original story encompasses the joy surrounding the Christmas season.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity or rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“El Camino Christmas” (2017)

In this Netflix original film, a young man in search of his biological father finds himself in the town of El Camino, Nevada, as Christmas approaches. With the help of an alcoholic sheriff and a series of unfortunate events, he ends up barricaded in a local liquor store with five other people on Christmas Eve. This new holiday feature stars Tim Allen, Dax Shepard and Jessica Alba in a crass Christmas story placed in the desert of Nevada. “El Camino Christmas” is a great adult alternative to the classic Christmas movie list as it journey’s through the holidays with bullets, beer and satirical holiday cheer.

This movie can be streamed on Netflix.

“Elf” (2003) 

Raised at the North Pole performing an elf’s job, Buddy the Elf is shocked to find out he is actually a human. In an attempt to meet his real father, Buddy (Will Ferrell) travels to New York City. When he meets his long-lost family, he tries to introduce an elf’s way of life, starting with the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup. Buddy’s joyful childlike nature is a stark contrast compared to his father who is on the naughty list. “Elf” is a holiday classic filled with laughs, Christmas spirit and a dash of holiday cheer covered in syrup.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity or rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“The Polar Express” (2004)

Based off the 1985 children’s book, “The Polar Express” (written by Chris Van Allsburg) tells the tale of a doubting young boy on Christmas Eve who embarks on an unforgettable journey. An extraordinary train takes him on a magical journey up to the North Pole to see Santa Claus. Along with a group of children and the train conductor (voiced by Tom Hanks), the boy has to overcome unexpected obstacles on the way to the North Pole. The young boy’s journey shows him the importance of friendship and reignites the spirit of Christmas that he once had lost. This holiday feature is an exciting adventure aboard the Polar Express.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity or rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“While You Were Sleeping” (1995)

This feature is not typically found on a Christmas movie list, but sends a heart-warming holiday message nonetheless. Lucy Moderatz (played by Sandra Bullock) saves her longtime crush from an oncoming train when he falls unconscious on the tracks. After he is rushed into emergency and declared to be in a coma, Lucy runs into his family and accidentally gets introduced as his fiancée. Christmas is quickly approaching and Lucy finds herself torn between spending the holidays with this new family, or going back to her normal life by spending Christmas with her cat. “While You Were Sleeping” is the perfect combination of being a classic romantic comedy and adding a holiday twist.

This movie can be streamed on Netflix or rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“Home Alone” (1990) 

When bratty Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind from his family Christmas vacation to Paris, he finds himself home alone over the holidays. While home, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) has to guard his house from two robbers who have broken into homes all over his neighborhood. The robbers underestimate Kevin and find themselves in unlikely circumstances, being out-smarted by an 8-year-old boy. “Home Alone” is a great Christmas movie that shows the importance of spending time with family and loved ones over the holiday season.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity or purchased on Amazon for $3.99.

“The Santa Clause” (1994)

Scott Calvin (played by Tim Allen) finds himself in an unusual predicament when Santa Claus falls off his roof and dies. When Scott tries on Santa’s suit, he unknowingly signs a clause agreeing to forfeit his current lifestyle and resume the role and responsibility of Santa Claus. With the help of his son Charlie and all of Santa’s elves, Scott finds it in himself to believe in the magic of Christmas once again. “The Santa Clause” is a holiday classic that brings back the spirit of Christmas to adults and children who have found themselves skeptical of Saint Nicholas.

This movie can be streamed on Netflix and rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“Christmas with the Kranks” (2004)

After sending their only daughter to the jungles of Peru for the next year with the Peace Corps, Luther and Nora Krank contemplate whether or not Christmas is worth all the trouble this year. Luther (played by Tim Allen) proposes they boycott Christmas and go on a 10-day luxury Caribbean cruise, but their neighbors will stop at nothing to convince them otherwise. From new bikinis to spray tans, Luther and Nora (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) are pulling out all the stops to avoid their usual neighborhood Christmas festivities. This hilarious attempt to skip Christmas makes a Caribbean cruise sound tempting this holiday season.

This movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime or purchased on iTunes for $3.99.

“The Family Stone” (2005)

The holidays can be an intimidating time of year to meet a boyfriend’s entire family. Especially for uptight Meredith Morton (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), who spends her holiday season trying to fit in with her boyfriend’s quirky family over Christmas. However, instead of making a great impression, Meredith finds herself continually highlighting her worst attributes. This holiday feature has plenty of big-name Hollywood stars such as Parker, Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton and Luke Wilson, who keep the Christmas spirit alive while navigating through family drama.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity and rented on Amazon for $3.99.

“A Christmas Story” (1983)

Based on the novel “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash” by Jean Shepherd, “A Christmas Story” is another holiday classic that gives the perspective of Christmas from a child. Ralphie Parker, 9, has one present in mind for Christmas, the Red Ryder BB gun. His dream BB gun is the holy grail of all Christmas gifts, and he won’t let his parents, teachers or even Santa Claus get in the way of his dream. “A Christmas Story” is a great holiday film because Ralphie Parker’s journey through the holidays brings back the joy of anticipation children have on Christmas morning.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity and rented on Amazon for $3.99. And, as always, TBS will be airing 24 hours of the movie, starting on Christmas Eve.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989)

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold is determined to have the perfect Griswold family Christmas. Between covering his home in 25,000 individual Christmas lights and hosting feuding in-laws his holiday season is stacked up to be the perfect disaster. “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” made the Christmas movie list because it is a holiday classic worth celebrating. Its slapstick comedy provides hilarious moments in the midst of disaster and it gives a great reminder that perfect holidays cannot be forced.

This movie can be streamed on Xfinity and rented on Amazon for $3.99. It will also be available to watch at the Regal Theaters Dole Cannery Stadium 18 & IMAX on Saturday at 12 p.m.

“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

This holiday feature began as a book written by Dr. Seuss and was made into a cartoon in 1966. In 2000, Jim Carrey starred as the Grinch in Universal Pictures adaptation of the original story. “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” made the list because of its witty humor and timeless message. The Grinch’s disdain for Christmas and the amount of consumerism that surrounds the holiday season gives a great reminder of what Christmas should be about. This time of year it’s about celebrating friends and family not just the gifts surrounding the holiday.

In the words of the Grinch, “‘Maybe Christmas,’ he thought, ‘doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!'”

This movie can be streamed on Netflix or bought on Amazon.