When it’s cold out, I love settling down and watching a Christmas movie while sipping on a hot drink. It’s even better when the movie is a little bit silly and ridiculous. I was curious how many of my holiday favorites were set in Minnesota, and I found a few that are particularly silly if you’re in the mood for a laugh.

“Jingle All the Way” was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. My grandparents had a great big TV in their basement (and when I say big I mean it was taller than I was) and had this film on DVD. It’s a solid film about a midwest dad trying to get the hottest new toy for his kid in time for Christmas. Only I don’t know if I buy Arnold Schwarzenegger as a typical midwest dad. Seems like an odd casting choice, and I’m not sure if the movie ever did anything to explain his accent. Still, a silly movie that is very much reminiscent of the mid-nineties. 

I watched “Grumpy Old Men” with my parents when I was in my early teens. The rivalry between the two friends was fun to watch on screen. The movie left me with an unhealthy paranoia that someone in my life might decide to toss a dead fish in the back of my car to stink it up once it warmed up enough. If you enjoyed “The Office” mainly for the pranks Jim played on Dwight, you’ll like this movie. 

“Fargo” I didn’t watch until I was an adult, but even though the movie was over thirty years old by the time I saw it, I was laughing the whole time. I know a lot of you will tell me that a movie about a small town cop investigating a murder isn’t very Christmas-y, but if die-hard “Die Hard” fanatics claim that movie is a Christmas movie, then so is “Fargo.” The movie is not a comedy per se, but the main character, Marge Gunderson, is sure to remind you of the mannerisms of some of the Minnesota ladies in your life, and her cool demeanor in solving a violent murder contrasted with her Minnesota-nice attitude is a hilarious juxtaposition. 

I hope all you readers get a chance to enjoy some classic holiday films with your family during these cold weeks leading up to Christmas!