When A Christmas Story opened in theaters on Nov. 18, 1983, it was not one of the year’s biggest films. Thirty-five years later, that little movie looms large over the holiday season. You can buy “major award” leg lamps at any price point, tour Ralphie’s actual house that was used in the filming of the movie, watch the Broadway musical adaptation and, of course, spend 24 hours in front of the TV watching the annual Christmas Story marathon on basic cable. The film has become a Christmas tradition beloved by many — but not all. In this video, I make a case for why A Christmas Story, despite its title, is a terrible Christmas movie. (Note: The opinions of this contributor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone else at Yahoo, who likely see this video as the work of a deranged Easter Bunny.) Watch the video above to see the full case against A Christmas Story, or read on for the short version of why the depiction of Ralphie’s childhood fails as a great holiday film.

Peter Billingsley as Ralphie in A Christmas Story. (Photo: MGM/Everett Collection) More

1. A Christmas Story is all about consumerism.

Most classic Christmas movies embrace the idea that Christmas means goodwill to all. Maybe the characters want presents or other selfish things, but ultimately they realize that the holiday is about so much more. In A Christmas Story, Ralphie really, really wants an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot range model air rifle. But by the end of the film, he has realized that the true meaning of Christmas… is shooting things with his new Red Ryder BB gun.

2. A Christmas Story is not especially about Christmas.

Yes, it’s set during the Christmas season, but the holiday is largely irrelevant to the loosely strung vignettes that the film calls a plot. So what is the film about? Well, a major theme is “children in pain.”

The flagpole scene in A Christmas Story. (Photo: MGM/Everett Collection) More

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