When Mizz Geena asked us to share our favorite holiday movies, I immediately knew my answer: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

This movie is pure chaos from start to finish, and honestly, it speaks to my soul. The Griswold family’s over-the-top antics remind me of some of my own family holidays—though thankfully, we’ve never had quite that much property damage. What really gets me is Clark’s relentless determination to make everything perfect, even as the universe conspires against him. It’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and I laugh just as hard every time I watch it.

Of course, Annie and I have made it our own tradition to watch each year before I attempt to put up the lights on the house – a reminder not to turn into a Griswold I guess.