Have you noticed the recent proliferation of bad made-for-TV Christmas movies? It’s crazy – this year there are apparently multiple movies about dogs saving Christmas. Dogs! I’m waiting for the film about how a squirrel saves Christmas as, to be honest, sometimes the only thing that gets me in the holiday spirit these days is seeing my chubby neighborhood squirrels scampering about.

Anyway, I, like most children of the 1970s, grew up on holiday TV specials where Christmas was saved by Grinches and red-nosed reindeers instead of pets. That’s not to say that I don’t appreciate a good real holiday movie. In fact, here are my personal top five. And please keep in mind that I’m probably the only person in the world who hasn’t seen A Christmas Story, so that’s why it’s not on the list.

Home Alone: I know Macaulay Culkin got annoying, but in this movie he’s still cute & mischievous and most of all smart. That’s why the movie works – because Kevin is really smart and his schemes really would work. Oh, and his relationship with the neighbor gets to me every time.

Elf: I know Will Ferrell isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I like him. I love Elf because it’s a high concept movie that doesn’t back down from that concept. It goes for the gold in all its schlocky glory. Oh, and it also helped launch Zooey Deschanel’s singing career!

It’s A Wonderful Life: It’s a classic for a reason, although that reason isn’t because it’s such a heartwarming story. I think the reason is because it’s real. George Bailey has his dreams squashed at every turn. People can relate to that and get into the character because of that. Few of us will turn out to be millionaires or heroes. We’re Georges.

Christmas Vacation: I’m sorry, but sometimes you can’t beat “man fall down” humor.

Love Actually: There are some movies I’ll watch almost any time I notice they’re on TV (for example, The Cutting Edge, Major League, Independence Day and recently, The House Bunny), but this is a movie I’ll actually search for sometimes – just randomly hoping it’s on so I have an excuse to watch it for the millionth time. It’s that good. I love how it explores every type of love and how it acknowledges the brilliance of Colin Frissell’s plan to get a girlfriend (which, lonely British men, would totally work).

Finally, I should add One Life To Live’s fake Christmas film Christina Comes Home For Christmas to the list. I love that the show has such a clear vision of its fictional universe that said universe even has its own iconic Christmas film. Awesome!