How do you know?

So...10 days until Christmas. So far there are no presents and no Christmas tree either. We've got a project going on here...construction, on a small scale. Hardwood flooring, painting, and molding. And right now, some electrical switches going in.

So how do you know it's Christmas without the usual decor? For one, music, that's a given. And Christmas movies. Who doesn't love Christmas movies? Scrooge-people, that's who. The king of animated movies is and always will be, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

But my favorites are non animated. Here they are:

Home Alone. Love the story, love the house, love Macaulay Culkin, love the music!!! Darling. John Hughes wrote a winner and it cannot be beat. Catherine O'Hara as the mom and John Candy as the polka guy were awesome.

A Christmas Story. Some people call it the Red Ryder BB gun movie. I threw this one in because my kids love it so much. I've only seen bits and pieces of it, never from start to finish, but I will.

You don't usually find This Christmas on anyone's must see list, but I don't care...this is a fun movie. Loretta Divine is always good. Chris Brown is part of the ensemble, of course this was filmed pre-Rihanna.

Four Christmases. Maybe the plot is cliched but how can you not like this? Reese is darling. And Vince Vaughn! Cracks. Me. Up.

Christmas With the Kranks. This was based on the novel by John Grisham, Skipping Christmas. I laughed. Heartfelt.

Oh I love this one. While You Were Sleeping. Sandra Bullock is precious. Especially in this movie. Bill Pullman is perfect. The grandma, Glynis Johns. (remember her from Mary Poppins?)

The Holiday. Cameron Diaz. When she looks back at this movie, she'll always be happy, she's just gorgeous here. You HAVE to root for her and Jude Law to get together. The scene where she meets his daughters...precious. Kate Winslet and Jack Black are darling.

And here it is...my favorite Christmas movie. I don't just want to watch The Family Stone, I want to be them (minus the liberal politics). I want to go home for Christmas somewhere in a house like that. Diane Keaton is fabulous. Claire Danes. Craig T. Nelson too. Rachel McAdams is just a doll. And the guy that plays her love interest...the EMT guy, he's so good! Even though one of my least favorite actresses is in this (Sarah Jessica Parker)....even she can't spoil this film for me. Luke Wilson nails his part. Charming. He steals Dermot Mulroney's thunder. The Family Stone. Love.

The best thing is that even without a tree...these movies make me feel good. And that's what it's all about. What's your favorite Christmas movie?