Meg’s Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies, Number Ten: Little Women

It's time to grab a mug of cocoa and cozy up with some of the greatest holiday films of all time. I'll spotlight one of my favorites each day until we reach #1.

Meg's Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

#10: Little Women, 1994

This 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic American novel is one of my family's favorites. The movie chronicles the lives of the March sisters as they grow from girls into... wait for it... little women during and after the Civil War. The amazing ensemble cast features pre-klepto Winona Ryder, young Kirsten Dunst at her bratty best, Claire Danes, and the always amazing Susan Sarandon as the matriarch of the March clan.

I grew up watching this movie with my mom and two sisters; it was kind of "our thing." We'd pile up on the couch and enjoy watching one of our favorite stories brought to life on the big screen. As we got older, the addition of our snarky commentary kept the tradition alive--and made things much more fun.

I'm not going to spoil the plot for you, but I do have to get all sentimental about Little Women: the bonds we share as sisters, daughters, and mothers are some of the most important in our lives. Nowhere is that bond more beautifully portrayed than within the story of Little Women. Sure, our sisters and moms can be the most annoying people on the planet at times, but we love them in spite of it all. The relationships we share with them make us who we are.

Favorite moments in the film include: Jo's haircut, Meg's "debut," the scene with Beth and the piano at Christmas (mascara alert!), any and every time Kirsten Dunst says, "Blast!" Marmie's infallible advice, Laurie's admission to the Pickwick Press, any scene with Aunt March, and Jo's first trip to the opera.

*Just so you know, Laurie is not a little woman--he's a dude. He lives next door to the March gals and is portrayed by a very young and very hot Christian Bale. That in and of itself is another reason to check out Little Women this year.

Next up on the countdown: a made-for-TV favorite featuring some pretty awesome puppets... (and it's totally not the one you're thinking of, I promise!)