It is that time of the season. No, not the holidays, but a different cause for celebration: the end of the semester.

However, while the end is near, it cannot be fully appreciated without the completion of the ... you guessed it, the fatal finals week. As students struggle to get swept up by the Christmas spirit, the consequences of procrastination begin to take effect as mounting assignments and exams threaten to steal everyone’s joy.

Well, that simply won’t do. I have created the perfect holiday diversion to keep your spirits high and your anxieties low, sprinkling some festive optimism on top of a likely stressful week. There’s nothing like a few Christmas classics and rich treats to liven up our Scrooge or Grinch-ish attitudes.

‘Home Alone’ (1990):

Being a ’90s kid, no Christmas would be complete without the wildly hilarious “Home Alone,” which showcased the impeccable comic timing of Macaulay Culkin. One wonders what happened to that cute, mischievous little troublemaker who went on to become the biggest child star in the world before disappearing off the face of the Earth. Ah, well, we still have this holiday classic to admire his talents and watch him cleverly orchestrate a Christmas butt-kicking for a pair of unfortunate burglars, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern).

‘Bad Santa’ (2003):

Now that we are old enough to view rated-R movies without parental supervision, we all can appreciate Billy Bob Thornton’s cheerful obscenities in the raunchy “Bad Santa.” This is, of course, an adult Christmas film not to be confused with the cutesy, inoffensive Tim Allen flick “The Santa Clause.” While this is by no means a sappy, heartwarming affair, it does supply some outrageous gags and spirited chuckles. No matter how politically incorrect this Santa may be, it is easy to warm up to the jolly banter, drunken delights and crude charms of Thornton’s terrific performance.

‘A Christmas Story’ (1983):

Who could forget the meek, starry-eyed Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), his eccentric parents (Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon), the suggestive stripper leg lamp or the infamous pole-licking scene? As a coming-of-age story, the film brilliantly captures the pressures, anxieties and awkwardness of adolescence in a darkly comical fashion. As a holiday-themed tale, it is the ultimate Christmas film with enough heart and humor to go around.

‘Elf’ (2003):

Displaying an irresistibly charming and lovable performance from Will Ferrell, “Elf” is a modern holiday treat that will melt the hearts of even the grumpiest of grinches. Ferrell stars as Buddy the elf, a human raised in the North Pole who travels to New York City to meet his biological father (James Caan). One clumsy mishap at a time, Buddy wins his stern father’s affection and compassion in both comedic and heartwarming ways.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993):

OK, OK, so it is not a Christmas movie, exactly. Whether you watch Tim Burton’s enchanting “The Nightmare Before Christmas” for Halloween, Christmas or both, there is enough visual spectacle and invention to satisfy any mood. When Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), king of the seedy Halloween town, discovers a portal to the colorful, festive Christmas town, bizarre misadventures and misunderstandings ensue. This cinematic gem is a marvelous feast for the eyes.

Laron Chapman is a film and media studies senior.