I'm often left wondering which contributing factors go into becoming one's "favourite" Christmas movie. We all have our must-watch movie titles every year, and I have a feeling it can depend on the generation in which one was raised.

I remember the first time I saw holiday film, Home Alone. As part of the "OG" ("Original Gangster") Home Alone-loving generation, I can clearly visualize when and where I first became acquainted with the wildly popular movie. Sitting in the movie theatre on the west island in Montreal in December 1990, my nine-year-old-self became immediately intrigued with the 8-year-old boy, left alone in his suburban Chicago mansion.

The film propelled previously unknown child actor, Macaulay Culkin into superstardom and every kid in my generation immediately knew the reference when someone held up their hands to their face and screamed, "aghhhhh!".

This movie went on to become a must-see holiday staple in households everywhere, ever since it's debut in theatres 27 years ago. It airs frequently (to say the least: our work placement student, Brody Hinz, mentioned he's seen it air "at least 15 times" this season alone!) every December, and has acquired fans from subsequent generations. 

After living the pop culture sensation firsthand, I had to wonder if the film had the same impact on generations that came after mine. Calum McAnally, several years my junior, mentioned the other day that Home Alone was alright but he didn't seem too enthused. Hinz, 18, said the film is "good" and that he enjoys it, despite it being a tad overplayed on TV. The mixed reviews surprised me a bit. Something has kept Home Alone popular over the years, but what that specific "something" is, I have yet to determine...

Maybe, like everything else, Home Alone just appeals to some more than others. Perhaps an overwhelming sense of nostalgia influences our opinions. I still don't know why A Christmas Story was such a big deal, (what's with that leg lamp anyway??!) and I personally can't fathom why one would willingly watch Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All the Way sixteen times every Christmas. 

But don't worry, Kevin. To me, you'll always be a favourite. I still wish you had had a chance to eat your mac and cheese, though.