There are many elements that go into our favorite Christmas movies. The least of which often being the quality of the actual film. In general, I’ve found that most people cling to Christmas movies to which they can relate, or that they’ve shared fondly in years past with friends and family. The latter of which is the reason why I spent almost my entire weekend scrambling to find my copy of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — my own favorite Christmas movie since the days of my youth. And while I wouldn’t make any bold claims about the artistic quality or revolutionary story, there is no denying that Christmas Vacation is the one movie that I can’t go a Christmas season without. I need a little bit of Chevy Chase fantasizing out the window about Nicolette Scorsese in a bathing suit. I need some classic Randy Quaid as cousin Eddie, emptying the waste from his RV into the storm sewer with jubilant claims that “the shitter was full.” During the holiday season, it is this timeless 1989 classic from director Jeremiah Chechik that I cannot do without.

And if reason serves me right, I’d be willing to bet that you too have your own Christmas favorite. Not necessarily the best Christmas movie, but the one you love the most. If I’m right, then I expect more than a few answers to the question below in our comment section.

What is your favorite Christmas movie of all-time, and why?