I’m not one for sappy movies, but I have a soft spot in my heart for a few Christmas movies.

Or at least the ones with a sense of humor, anyway!

I’ve seen “A Christmas Story” more times than I can count. It’s often playing in the background while I wrap Christmas presents.

And “Scrooged “with Bill Murray? I love that movie! Same for the “Muppets’ Christmas Carol”, too. And yes, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” always makes me laugh, even though I’ve seen it maybe a million times.

But I was looking over a couple of lists of “the Top Christmas Movies of All-Time” this week, and I realized I haven’t seen many of them.

I’ve never seen “Miracle on 34th Street”, nor have I seen “The Polar Express”.

“Elf?” Nope. Same for “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “White Christmas” too.

One list included “Gremlins” and “Die Hard” – and while yes, there are Christmas elements, I never really considered them Christmas movies (but they are both classics!).

I read one website that argued “The Shining” is a Christmas movie … which, shut the front door. Classic? Yes. Set in winter? Yes. Christmas movie? I think not.

“Trading Places”? Sure – and “Edward Scissorhands” too.

I by no means think Christmas movies must be limited to the classics (although I do love the 1969 “Frosty the Snowman”). There’s room at the table for a variety of Christmas movies, and I the definition can be as liberal as one chooses. (But “The Shining” … really? I struggle with that one – but to each his own, readers!)

What defines a Christmas movie is up for debate, but it’s a subject about which people are passionate.

For me, these are the movies of my childhood, the ones that remind me of family and warm my heart in some way, shape or form.

And if I had to pick just one to be my favorite, hands down, my choice would be “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”. It might make me cry every time I see it, but I love the story and the songs. And above all, I love the message of family that weaves its way through the film. For an otter family who doesn’t have much, Emmet and Ma make the most of it.

That’s what Christmas is all about. It’s not about the commercial element – it’s about surrounding ourselves with love, and sharing that feeling with those most important to us.

Merry Christmas, readers!