December is always an up-and-down month for college students.

For starters, final exams and papers always blow. And then on top of that, the bitter cold really takes pleasure out of life due to the bitterness behind getting trapped in cold weather. However, there still are a few things I like forward to. Christmas season always brings a sense of joy due to the high spirits the holiday brings. One of the best things about Christmas time for me is personally just relaxing after final exams and my favorite Christmas movies. As a stress reliever before finals, I have decided to rank my ten favorite Christmas movies that I always enjoy watching. The later a movie appears on this list, significance of the movie means more to me and watch it every year.

Sometimes I do watch these, sometimes I don't

10. The Polar Express

This one I remember more for my gaffe in the movie theater. I was six years old at the time of the films release, and I demanded a large popcorn. I decided to eat nearly the whole bucket, and sure enough, I ended up puking in the movie theater. At the time of its release, I was also unsure if this movie was in animation or live-action. For some, The Polar Express is a big-time Christmas Classic. But that's not the case for me though.

9. Any South Park related Christmas episode.

Well, I know these are technically not movies. But as an avid, die hard South park fan, I always try to watch as many of these as possible. That is, as long as South Park Studios has the episodes available for free (I'm still mad at you Hulu for taking over the site and making a majority of episodes no longer free like they used to be). But seriously, a talking piece of poo is the most irreligious Christmas character that has ever been made. Despite that, I have always seen the idea of a talking piece of poo to be quite hilarious for some reason. Even the Christmas episodes without Mr. Hankey are fantastic holiday humor. Woodland Critter Christmas has been a longtime favorite episode of mine since I began binge-watching the show in Spring of 2012. The satanic humor in that episode makes it a classic episode which I personally think is underappreciated. Instead of Jingle Bells, I listen to the Mr. Hankey The Christmas Poo theme song once the holiday season gets going. If you need anymore proof that I am a die hard South Park fan, there you have it.

8. Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Well, this one I have outgrown a little bit. However, Dr. Seuss books were one of my absolute favorite things as a child. Especially the word Fiffer-Feffer-Feff. Due to my love I had for Dr. Seuss books, this one always brings a sense of nostalgia whenever it is I do watch it. The spirit of the people in Whoville never fail to amaze me with their high Christmas spirits.

7. The Santa Clause

This is one I do not typically watch. However, I watched this one for the first time in forever last year. The satircal humor behind the whole plot always is an interesting storyline to follow. Tim Allen stands out in this film due to his humorous takes throughout the movie. What I love most about this movie is how deluisonal people see Scott Calvin while not having any real idea that he is Santa Claus. To end it of, there actually is a life lesson I have learned from this movie that other Christmas movies cannot teach me. That is to not panic if I end up burning the turkey or find another way to ruin Christmas dinner when I'm grown up. I can always just go to Denny's.

6. A Christmas Story

I actually got to take a tour of the house this movie was filmed in out in Cleveland this past March. I am stating to appreciate the movie more because of my tour of the house. However, what makes this a classic for me are a variety of things. First is the mall scene with the impatient elves and the apathetic Santa Claus sabotaging the kids of the spirit of seeing Santa Claus. I am someone who admires people who never give up on what they truly want in life. Ralphie is no exception to this rule. His constant pursuit of the Red Ryder air rifle is why I admire Ralphie very much in this movie. But most of all, the leg lamp is by far the most classic and iconic object to ever appear in a Christmas movie.

The five I watch every year, no matter what.

5. Home Alone

As a Chicago boy, this one hits home for me. In fact, I only live 30 minutes away from the house this movie was filmed at and have driven past it before. Reasoning as to why I love Home Alone very much is due to the plot of the story. An eight year old kid getting left behind on a trip to Paris and having to deal with two burglars was an absolute brilliant idea from the start. How he deals with the burglars is what makes this film a classic. But it's the little things in this movie that make it so special. The scene of an eight year old going grocery shopping for himself like he is the father always stands out. Additionally, the pizza scenes in this movie are another little thing which make this film one for the ages since the pizza delivery guy is absolutely oblivious towards the situation.

4. Home Alone 2

Why I put the second film higher than first one has to deal with the adventure aspect. I feel Kevin's adventures in Home Alone 2 are far superior compared to the first film. Rather than a suburban town, Kevin is alone in one of the world's biggest cities, with a ton of loot to do whatever he pleases! Seeing Kevin get away with murder for the first half of the film is the childhood vacation I never got to take. Beyond the adventures of Kevin, the stunts and torture to Harry and Marv are far superior to what Kevin did to them in the first film. Oh, I should also mention, the people who truly are the life of the party in this film are the staff at the Plaza Hotel, as well as the shower scene.

3. Elf

Buddy The Elf is my Christmas spirit animal. Despite the frustrations of the month of December, I plunge into the Christmas spirit just like Buddy The Elf. Additionally, I keep my spirits high and believe in things others do not believe in. Similar to Home Alone 2, Elf stands out to me because of the adventures happening throughout New York City. Why this one got ranked higher than Home Alone 2 largely is based on the immaturity of the protagonist. Overall, both show a sense of innocence amongst the protagonist in their (mis)adventures in The Big Apple. What makes Elf different then Home Alone 2 deals with upbringing the characters went through. Kevin knew the standard rules of life along with knowledge of The Plaza Hotel. Knowledge Kevin had regarding where he could stay and the opportunities present in New York made it a little predictable. A ten year old knows that there will be places such as an extravagant toy store and fine hospitality throughout New York. Buddy on the other hand, grew up in the North Pole. And he knew absolutely nothing about how society worked and had to figure out his adventures. This makes Buddy's actions very unpredictable since he is coming into New York without any prior knowledge regarding basic rules of society. Giving viewers a sense that literally anything could happen during Buddy's adventures in the city.

2. It's A Wonderful Life

This is simply one of the best films to ever be released. Whenever life has reached absolute lows, I try and remember this movie. But for me, its the emotions shown this movie is what makes this unforgettable. The portrayal of anger, enlightenment, hopefulness, misery, resentment, sacrifice, and companionship touches and amazes me in a way no other movie can. It's also the main message I interpret behind this movie to force me to re-watch it every year. Ultimately, everything you have built up in life is worth it. The events at the end of the movie are one of many life lessons I try and live by today.

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

It's all about the characters and events in the movie which make it my favorite. Clark Griswold is the ultimate Christmas family man. But for me, it's the foolish extremities Clark goes to in order to make the perfect family Christmas which never fail to make me crack up. On top of that, its the antics and events occurring throughout the movie that make my day. The entire Griswold family all deserve a special shoutout for presenting themselves as the craziest family to spend Christmas with. Heck, I even watch this one in the summer on late night television because I love that family and their misadventures that much.