The results are in! Here are the responses from the Courier Holiday Survey:

Movies

In third place, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation received 9 votes. Released in 1989, this comedy film tells of various disasters as the Griswold family attempts to celebrate Christmas.

In second place, Home Alone received 23 votes. In this 1990 comedy movie, main character eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left at home when his family goes to Paris. He learns to live alone and thwart the plans of a pair of bandits.

In first place is Elf with a whopping 35 votes, the highest of any choice in any category. It describes Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves, and his endeavor to connect with his biological father. It also features Delbarton alum Peter Dinkledge!

Songs

In third place is the classic Jingle Bells with 10 votes. Originally composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 under the title The One Horse Open Sleigh, several variations have been created, such as Jingle Bell Rock (votes for Jingle Bell Rock were not combined with votes for just Jingle Bells).

Edging out in second place is Last Christmas with 11 votes. It was released in 1984 by the British duo Wham!

In first place, All I Want For Christmas Is You received 21 votes. Mariah Carey, aka “The Queen of Christmas”, released it in 1994.

Legends

In third place, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer received 14 votes. The story was designed by Robert L. May in 1939 and has since seen various book, movie, and song adaptations.

Taking second place is the Grinch with 16 votes. A character by Dr. Seuss, he made his debut in Seuss’ 1957 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and has appeared in several other films and even a video game.

Finally, we have the canon behind Christmas gifts, Santa Claus with 23 votes. Based on Saint Nicholas, a priest from the fourth century that gave gifts to the poor, this character brings joy to children every year when they find presents under their Christmas trees on Christmas day.