‘Tis the season for cozying up with a mug of hot cocoa by the tree and watching your favorite holiday movie.

We asked faculty across the college to tell us their favorite Christmas movie and why.

Here’s what they had to say:

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

“I have to go with Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas! It ran on HBO constantly when I was a kid, so I imprinted on it like a baby bird to its mama and need to watch it at least once per holiday season. It’s a sweet story in the extended Muppet universe about family (both the one we’re born into and the “friend families” we choose), taking a chance on your dreams, and what might happen if we all just get together and sing. Come for the cameos from Kermit the Frog and some beautiful songs, stay for the Riverbottom Nightmare Band!”

Michelle McQuade Dewhirst | Professor of Music

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Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

“There are no tricks involved with the title of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. In an absolute fever dream of a movie, Martians are upset that their children are becoming lazy and have fallen under the spell of Earthling pop culture, so the Martians conspire to kidnap Santa Claus and bring him to Mars in hopes that he can rehabilitate their children; hijinx ensue. Stars a very young Pia Zadora.”

Zack Kruse | Lecturer of Applied Writing and English and Humanities

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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)

“So many hilarious moments and some great quotes!”

Aaron Weinschenk | Ben J. and Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Political Science

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Violent Night (2022)

“Honestly my favorite one is a recent one, Violent Night. This is a genius work  that essentially solves the enduring question of whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie by putting Santa Claus himself in the John McClane role, trying to save a little girl and her dysfunctional family from a team of mercenaries and thieves on Christmas. David Harbour is a fantastic, world-weary Santa and despite the hilarious amounts of violence and gore (including a sequence that does not shy away from the real consequences of the violence in Home Alone) it’s also just a big squishy movie with a big squishy heart that’s all about love, family, and Christmas magic in the end. It’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had in a movie theater. “

Bryan Carr | Professor of Info & Computing Science

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The Holdovers (2023)

“An authoritarian private school history teacher who his students and fellow teachers loathe for his brutally honest grades, difficult personality, and old-fashioned ways is grounded by the principal and forced to supervise the five students who, due to various circumstances, stay on campus over the break. Among them is a student whose mother has abruptly canceled a family trip to the Caribbean to honeymoon with her new husband. This is a great film! 97% in Rotten Tomatoes!”

Hernan Fernandez Meardi | Associate Professor of Humanities

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holidays on the horizon means the end of the semester is near… and finals.

We know this can be a stressful time for students. We want you to know your professors are here for you and want to see you succeed. In fact, we have some tips from them on preparing for finals week.

Good luck, students! We believe in you!

Finals Tips from Your Professors:

Christopher Kelps | Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice

“Don’t go into a final thinking of it as a time to be judged, think of it as an opportunity to prove to the world and yourself just how much you’ve learned.”

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Lisa Lamson | Assistant Teaching Professor of History and Humanities

“Go to sleep, eat food (maybe a vegetable), and take short breaks. It is a grind, but you will do better by taking short breaks that’ll keep you sane and help you retain information better.”

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Ann Mattis | Associate Professor of English, Humanities, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

“Read prompts and rubrics carefully. Email your professor early if confused. Schedule meetings with professors. Prioritize your health. Take breaks when stuck. Trust your preparation. Avoid perfectionism. Set realistic goals.

Stay positive and focused – you’ve got this!”

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Kris Purzycki | Associate Professor of Applied Writing and English

“We often get overwhelmed when we focus more on the goal instead of the process. Use the Pomodoro technique to break your time into manageable chunks between working (20 mins) and breaks (5 mins). Time yourself and, if you get distracted, get back on your schedule!”

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Katia Levintova | Professor of Political Science and Global Studies (Democracy and Justice Studies)

“Push yourselves to get to that finish line of the semester — it is finally in sight and you can totally do it! Finals are not as scary as people think — you have been preparing for them all semester, so review old material and concentrate on anything you covered since the last assessment.”

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Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges | Professor of Psychology

“Being in the best mental state possible is a great way to do your best on finals. One of the best ways to boost your mental health is to spend time in nature – even 5 or 10 minutes per day can help you focus on studying and taking your exams. So bundle up, go outside, and take a walk to restore your brain and boost your mood!”

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Aaron Weinschenk | Ben J. and Joyce Professor of Political Science

“Take breaks when you’re studying or working on projects (even if it’s just 5-10 minutes). Stepping away from something you’re working on can really help you focus once you come back to your work!”

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Alison Jane Martingano | Assistant Professor of Psychology

“Psychology study hack: state-dependent learning means your brain remembers best when your study vibes match your exam vibes. So, if you’ll be sitting at a particular desk in your favorite pajamas for the test, do the same while you’re studying—even try to match your study caffeine levels to your exam caffeine levels!”