What do a speaking snowman, a suicidal father; a Terminating toy-hunter and a Ghostbuster all have in common? They've all played their parts in creating the best and worst Christmas movies ever made.

Not everybody shares the same affinity for "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 34th Street." It could be the lack of color or the idealistic story. To some, those classics just don't feel real.

Every year around this time, holiday specials fall on network TV like snowflakes, a comforting blanket of tradition and familiarity. But while those classics may be festive enough

Most people have heard of The 12 Days of Christmas and most no nothing more about them than the strange song with geese a-laying and five golden rings somewhere in the middle section.

Starting in October, a very special period begins for the entertainment industry, and I'm not talking about awards season: Christmas movies bust out of their shiny tinsel packaging and take over the airwaves.

It all started with some weirdo religious fanatics making wary peace with local culture to celebrate the harvest and to pray that at least some of them will live through the winter.

It's A Wonderful Life has been voted the best Christmas film ever. The classic 1946 Frank Capra movie stars James Stewart as a man who's saved from suicide after he's reminded of all the good he's contributed to the world.

I'm sitting with my family at the Thanksgiving table. At the focus is the bird carcass, a bulging centerpiece surrounded by newly stuffed bodies. The cranberry jello, still quivering in the shape of the can, is the only untouched side dish. There is a settling quiet as the full-stomached groans subside and give way to satisfied smiles, until finally somebody strikes up a conversation. Like the feeding frenzy that preceded it, it starts out slow and steadily grows more frantic.

It's almost time to stuff the turkey and start dreaming of sugarplums because the pumpkins have been carved, leftover Halloween candy is almost gone, and the holidays are just around the corner.

Billy Bob Thornton's foul-mouthed drunk in Bad Santa has been voted the best-loved Father Christmas in a new poll. British movie magazine Hotdog's number-one choice may surprise some - considering Billy Boy's character is a misogynist, sexist and ranting drunk. But the magazine insists he is a worthy winner.