What are the best Christmas DVDs for children?

[BRANdishingMistletoe]

I want to put the DC in their Christmas pajamas and settle down on Christmas Eve with the whole family in front of a roaring fire to watch a magical Christmassy DVD before tucking their smiling, sleepy, little heads into bed.

Yes, I know what the reality will be, but allow me to delude myself.

So what DVD would you recommend?

How old are the DC ?

Polar express
Arthur Christmas
Merry Madagascar
Home alone?!
Elf

The DC are 8 and nearly 5.

The supermarket had a cheap copy of Polar Express, but I wasn't sure if it would be any good. I might buy it next time I'm in.

We already have Merry Madagascar, DS likes it.

Doesn't Elf star that really annoying actor? I have to be able to sit through it too.

Polar Express gives us all the creeeeeeps

brrrrrrrrr

DS likes slightly scary, or is it a different kind of creeps?

Nativity 1

Muppets Christmas Carol! It's the best Christmas film ever! We watch it on Christmas eve, eve (ie the 23rd) every year! (I'd watch it ever Xmas eve but the elves bring the kids a new film in their Xmas eve basket!)

At 5 and 8 I'd say Elf, Polar Express, The Snowman and Father Christmas by the same guy is great too, we have it as a double bill, and Nativity are fab too. Ahhhh love cHristmas films!

There's a ghost in it (polar express) which is slightly creepy, but our 2 yr old LOVES that film and the creepiness goes right over his head.

What about Miracle on 34th St, has anyone seen it?

I've bought the Muppets Christmas Carol, only cost £3, so that's xmas eve all sown up!

Polar express is fab - we love it.
Miracle on 34th Street (tho i love it more than the kids)
The Snowman/Father Christmas (Raymond Briggs)

Christmas carol (jim Carey one)
Santa Claus the movie
Arthur Christmas

I would say:

A Christmas Carol (Jim Carey)
Polar Express
Arthur Christmas

are the favourites for us. Ages 5 and 9

We have 7 & 5 I woud say Arthur Christmas is a must, elf, nativity .... Neither them (or I ) like polar express, it's dark, creepy and dull quite frankly (sorry!)

Thanks everyone, I have ordered Elf, Polar Express and Miracle on 34th Street. Between those and a stern threat of not getting any presents at all I hope to keep the DC in line and my sanity intact.