Christmas Eve is tomorrow! We hope you’ve got the tree trimmed, the presents wrapped, and (most importantly) the house lit and decorated in all its gaudy, Christmas-y glory!
But seriously, Christmas is a special time of year, one in which you wish peace on Earth to all mankind and you partake in Christmas family traditions. For many families, one of those traditions is breaking out those classic Christmas movies that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you nostalgic for childhood and days gone by.
And if there’s one thing that usually stands out in these holiday films, it’s the iconic houses these Christmas movies contain. And they are the focus of today’s blog.
From the stately to the stupefying, from the classy to the corny, these 10 pieces of festive novelty real estate were the top selections in an (unscientific) Zillow poll conducted by Julie, writer of the blog entitled Hooked on Houses. We’ll now list out the top 5 houses, followed by the 5 runners-up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!
Top 5 Christmas Homes
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#1 Christmas Movie: Home Alone
Location: Winnetka, IL
Fun Facts: This house is on the market for $2.4 million.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#2 Christmas Movie: Christmas in Connecticut
Location: Burbank, CA
Fun Facts: This home’s not real — it’s a Warner Bros. set in Burbank.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#3 Christmas Movie: White Christmas
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Fun Facts: Like the Christmas in Connecticut home, the Columbia Inn is just a Paramount Studios set.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#4a Christmas Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Location: New York, NY
Fun Facts: Destroyed back in the 1950s, this “drafty old” home was located on the back lot of RKO Studios as part of the 4-acre Bedford Falls set.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#4b Christmas Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Location: La Canada Flintridge, CA
Fun Facts: This home was named the Martini House, after the fictional Martini family who was gifted the house by George Bailey in the movie.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#5 Christmas Movie: A Christmas Story
Location: Cleveland, OH
Fun Facts: Want a leg lamp? This home is now a museum where you can buy one!
Top 5 Runners-Up
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#1 Christmas Movie Runner-Up: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Location: Burbank, CA
Fun Facts: Sadly, the Griswold house exists only as a Warner Bros. back lot set called “Blondie Street” that has been altered for use in other films.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#2 Christmas Movie Runner-Up: Miracle on 34th Street
Location: Port Washington, NY
Fun Facts: This home, featured in the original Miracle, got the most write-in votes in Zillow’s poll.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#3 Christmas Movie Runner-Up: Elf
Location: New York, NY
Fun Facts: Located at 55 Central Park West, this iconic Upper West Side building was also featured in the 1984 horror-comedy film, Ghostbusters.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#4 Christmas Movie Runner-Up: Bad Santa
Location: West Hills, CA
Fun Facts: Recently up for sale, this 5-bed/4.5-bath home sold for $950,000, the asking price.
Photo: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2011-12-09/top-5-holiday-movie-houses-and-5-honorable-mentions/
#5 Christmas Movie Runner-Up: The Family Stone
Location: Watertown, CT
Fun Facts: This 3,554-square-foot 1860 colonial home features 1.4 acres of land and 10 rooms, including 5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.
