Wishing you a holiday that’s the picture of warmth and cheer.
Thinksorts are a bunch of characters—literally. Enchanted by the magic of the holiday season, our team has turned into iconic characters from some of our favorite holiday movies, books, traditions, and more. Peek through their portraits and see if you spot any of your favorites.
Elizabeth Amorose as Doris Walker
Unfortunately, I can relate all too well to Doris, the overly serious, hard-working mother in the 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street. But this photo turned out to be a lovely tribute to my wonderful grandmother, Maggi, who was in her 20s when the movie was made. (The resemblance is uncanny.) Wishing you fond memories of loved ones, near and far, this holiday season.
Shelley Batuyong as Dr. Mindy Lahiri
Growing up, I rarely saw people that looked like me in strong, smart, and relatable roles on TV and in movies. Mindy Kaling has helped change that. So to honor The Mindy Project: devour that gingerbread mansion, take a giant swig from your wine bra, and lose those inhibitions. Your holiday hijinks await. Happy holidays!
Nicole Fortuna as Kevin McCallister
Nothing says the holidays like snuggling up with your favorite blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and watching the holiday classic Home Alone 2. My family and I never tire of Kevin’s sharp wit, intricate planning, and ruthless pursuit of justice, but I’m not sure they would say the same about my childhood obsession with that Talkboy. “Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal.”
Olive Miller as Amanita muscaria
Few people know these magic mushrooms played an important role in holiday rituals and celebrations of ancient Scandinavian reindeer herding tribes. Perhaps their widespread use explains why Santa is such a jolly old elf! Wishing you magic and joy this holiday season.
Laura Rubin as The Nutcracker
I spent my youth and early adulthood as a cellist in pit orchestras. So, my end-of-year celebrations include big, bold performances. Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season of beautiful music, whether it’s witnessed live or via Nutflix… er, Netflix.
Paulina Greenland as Billy Peltzer
Who says the holidays can’t be a little spooky? I always loved the thrill of little, terrible monsters wreaking havoc against the jolly backdrop of Christmas. Plus, as one of six kids, Gremlins reminded me of the chaos of the holidays at our house. Happy holidays, and remember: Don’t feed it after midnight!
Brett Traylor as the Leg Lamp
Perhaps the kitschiest of all Christmas kitsch, the Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story can always be counted on for a smile. And who doesn’t like playing dress-up in fishnets and high heels? So, here’s to a festive holiday filled with laughter and cheer that only this kind of “major award” can produce.
Jay Sherman-Godfrey as Norman Rockwell’s Santa
To Rockwell, Santa was, above all, human. The humanity in his portrayals is what makes them so special. In this scene, published almost exactly 100 years ago, Santa is far from enchanted or jolly—he’s exhausted and woefully behind in his work. It’s a holiday situation many a weary parent of small children knows all too well, and where this particular image touches my heart. May you have a joyful and restful holiday!
Kate Lee as Yukon Cornelius
Yukon Cornelius’ iconic blend of brash confidence and eccentric wisdom adds needed momentum to Team Misfits’ journey in the 1964 telling of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He appears when Rudolph and Hermey are at their lowest moment—alone, lost in a blizzard, and about to face the Abominable Snowman. Like the “Greatest Prospector of the North,” I strive to show up for my friends and family when they need me the most. This holiday season, here’s hoping “You eat what you like and I’ll eat what I like!”
Emily Wack as Margo Chester
When I was a kid, my dad and I would hunker down in the basement to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation a few nights after Christmas each year. All year long, I would repeat my favorite line, spoken in the movie by a distraught Julia Louis-Dreyfus after coming home to a destroyed home: “And why is the carpet all wet, Todd?” Here’s to a holiday season filled with love, community, and dry carpets.
Purnima Moni as Mary Poppins
As a child, I was obsessed with Disney’s Mary Poppins. I can still remember watching the movie over and over with my parents and falling in love with Julie Andrews’ impressive voice, the enchanting songs, and the valuable life lessons. Wishing you a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious holiday season!
Emily Smith as a Christmas pickle
My mother has hidden a pickle ornament in our tree on Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. When I got old enough to ask her why, she chuckled and said, “It was the only way to keep you kids distracted long enough to get a cup of coffee on Christmas morning.” Here’s a reminder from this Christmas pickle to slow down and enjoy the holiday season. Happy holidays!
Jane Orgel-Swidler as Betty and Judy
We’re all familiar with Bing Crosby’s titular tune from the holiday classic White Christmas, but Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen’s duet, “Sisters” is my preferred performance. Nostalgic and a little cringeworthy, it perfectly captures the spirit of the holidays. Happy holidays and remember: Through all kinds of weather, we stick together.
David Robinson as Jack Skellington
Because my sister was born on Halloween, both spooky and jolly holidays were celebrated with gusto in our childhood home. The Nightmare Before Christmas was the perfect bridge between October and December. To this day, I still love the mixture of the light and dark and the childlike magic both holidays share. Wishing you and yours a couple of shivers amidst the holiday cheer.
Talia Bromberg as Tommy Pickles
I have vivid memories of popping the bright orange tape into the VHS player to watch A Rugrats Chanukah every winter as a kid. In college, my friends and I would gather in a common room, fry up some latkes, and wait for Tommy Pickles to utter the iconic line, “A Macababy’s gotta do what a Macababy’s gotta do!” Wishing you a holiday season filled with light, miracles, and community.
Chris Riely as a SantaConer
SantaCon always catches me by surprise. As hoards of young, drunk, rowdy red suits take over the city, I’m reminded that there is such a thing as too much ‘spirit.’ So join me in a toast to good judgment, graciousness, and just the right amount of holiday cheer this season.
