SANDPOINT — "A Christmas Story"? “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”?

How about “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 new 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 survey said the holidays are stressful, watching the holiday movies makes them happy and reminds them of what the season is about.

Also reminding us what Christmas is all about are the Sandpoint Lions, who work tireless every Christmas to make it a merry one for the community's youth. Assisting are the many elves who donate to the annual Christmas campaign.

Today's generous donations, totaling $1,200, come from: Suzanne E. and Thomas J. Letourneau, $200; Julie A. Smith, $500; and Wood's Crushing & Hauling, Inc., $500.

To date, the campaign has raised $31,363.50 of the $75,000 needed to ensure every child in the community has a merry Christmas.

Each year, the Lions team up with local businesses and residents through Toys for Tots to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

Funds raised go toward purchasing 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.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any coin jar around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, if you wish to remain anonymous, please mention that in your note.

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 include a note.

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

Each day during the drive, donors’ names will be published along with the amount of their donations. A running total will be included to help the community know where the Toys for Tots campaign stands.

If you can, please consider donating. Every penny, every dollar adds up, and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign. Additional donations help the Lions buy ahead and make the most of the community’s generous support.

In Sandpoint, toys and donations can be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, Mr. Sub, Columbia Bank, Connie’s Cafe, Serv-A-Burger, Mountain West Bank, Pivo Peaks Alehouse, Sandpoint Family Medicine and Urgent Care, and the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

In Sagle, toys and donations can be dropped off at Buckin’ Beans and Encoder Products (in the front lobby, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

In Ponderay, toys and donations can be dropped off at Alpenglow Salon, Walmart, North 40, Columbia Bank, Arnie’s, Better Together Animal Shelter, Community Resource EnVision Center, Litehouse, Elite Tire, Vinnie Todd’s Barbershop, Hoot Owl, Papa Murphy’s and Mountain West Bank.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118, [email protected] or bit.ly/SandpointLions