Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. There is so much going on that one can literally get lost in all the excitement. Part of that excitement is sitting in front of the TV and watching some of the most enchanting movies ever made. Yes, there are many Christmas movies to choose from. This article presents some of the best; the ones that have stood the test of time.

No list of great Christmas movies would be complete without one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. The "Christmas Carol" has been told in many movies throughout the years, but no telling has yet to match the one staring Alastair Sim in the 1951 classic "Scrooge". This is the story of a man who hates everything and everyone and only cares about making a profit. But then one night three ghosts come to visit him in his sleep and he ultimately sees the error of his ways and becomes the most generous loving man on Earth. This one is still as great today as it was over 50 years ago.

If you're looking for something a little bit more light hearted, there is always the 1964 children's classic "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer". This wonderful story tells the tale of Rudolph who, even though he was born different from the other reindeer and is shunned by society, he ends up being the one who saves Christmas from a terrible blizzard. The songs are cute, the characters, including Herbie The Dentist Elf and Yukon Cornelious, are an absolute laugh riot. Your kids are sure to love this one.

Of course if you're looking for something a little off the beaten track, there is always "The Santa Claus" from 1994. This rip roaring comedy is about as off the wall as you're going to get at Christmas time. The plot is pretty simple. Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen, is divorced and his life is pretty much a mess. He does have his son at Christmas though. Well, as fate would have it, Santa Claus falls off Calvin's roof and dies. Calvin then goes on to become the next Santa Claus. Corny? Maybe. But you'll love Tim Allen in this goofball Christmas comedy.

For fans of the Charles Shultz characters Charlie Brown and company, there is always "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from 1965. There really isn't much of a plot except the gang is trying to put on a Christmas play and find a decent tree, but the music is memorable, the classic lines that we all know and love are there ("I've been kissed by a dog. I have dog germs) and when you really get down to it, the meaning of Christmas actually does come out in this wonderful movie when Linus finally explains it to Charlie Brown. This is one movie you don't want to miss.

And of course no list would be complete without "It's A Wonderful Life" from 1946. A man is given a chance to see what the world would be like had he never been born. Anybody who watches this movie and isn't in tears by the end doesn't have a heart. If you see only one movie at Christmas, this is the one to see.