“Home Alone”? “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”?

How about “A Christmas Story” or “It’s a Wonderful Life”?

When it comes to holiday movies, nothing says Christmas like any one of hundreds of holiday movies found on every television channel and streaming service out there.

A recent poll of 2,000 Americans who celebrate Christmas found watching the season's movies was their favorite way to celebrate and get into the spirit of the holidays.

According to a story on the Good News Network website, watching Christmas movies was a fan favorite of 72% of Americans.

The favorite movie to watch is "It's a Wonderful Life," 43%; followed by "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 42%; "Home Alone," 42%; "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," 35%; "The Polar Express," 32%; "A Christmas Story," 31%; and "White Christmas," 30%).

Leading the vote for favorite holiday character was Kevin McCallister in "Home Alone," 30%. Tim Allen who plays the jolly old elf himself in "The Santa Clause" came in a close second at 29%.

As for top television favorites"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was far and away the top choice at 60%, followed by "Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town," 37%; an episode of "Friends" (“The One With the Holiday Armadillo”) at 19%, and an episode of "South Park" (“Christmas Snow”) at 14%.

While more than 60% of those surveyed said the holidays are stressful, watching holiday movies makes them happy and reminds them of what the season is about.

Firm in the camp of making Christmas merry are Sandpoint Lions Club members, who, with the community's help, make Christmas a magical time for everyone through their annual Toys for Tots Christmas drive.

Today’s generous donations, totaling $1,256, come from Cherilynn Tilford, $430; Lindea and Rick Kirschner, $100; Jimmy Byers, $26; John Moe, $500; Dennis and Jeannie Yaeger, $100; and Randy and Kim Powers, $100, “in loving memory of our daughter Kara.”

With just days before Christmas, so far a total of $41,980 has been raised. The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $75,000, an increase over past years due to the number of people needing help.

The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses. 

Funds raised during the annual campaign go to purchase new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Every Christmas, the Lions help almost 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.

In addition, the Lions give a gift card to a local grocery store so that families can get supplies for their Christmas dinner.

Demand for the program is well above last year's total, with 100 more applications submitted during the first week than in 2022.

The last day to submit a Toys for Tots application for this Christmas was Friday, Dec. 15.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations (checks and cashier's checks) at Umpqua Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay Starbucks.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please mention that in your note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, or online at bit.ly/SandpointLions