At times in our life we have all wished our family would just leave us alone. Kevin McCallister could definitely relate in the 1990 Christmas movie Home Alone, directed by John Hughes. But unlike many of us, Kevin actually got his wish.

Eight year-old Kevin, played by Maculay Culkin, never felt like he was a part of his family, just the butt of his older brother Buzz’s (Devin Ratray) mean jokes. After an incident at the dinner table he gets sent up to the attic. The next morning his family leaves for France and forgets all about him until they are on the plane, halfway over the Atlantic Ocean.

He is forced to fend for himself–a dream come true! He lives off junk food, watches whatever he wants on TV and is forced to fight off the “Wet Bandits” played by actors Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.

Kevin finally learns the importance of family in this holiday classic that is now, and will always, be loved by many.

Macaulay Culkin was a young actor talented beyond his years. The rest of the cast is equally talented. They will have you laughing out loud with the witty dialogue and the over-the top-scream from the mother (Catherine O’Hara) when she realizes she left her son at home while the rest the family went on vacation.

Much to our pleasure, this isn’t the last time Kevin is forced to spend Christmas by himself trying to outsmart some not-so-bright burglars.

In the second movie installment of the series, “Home Alone 2,” he gets on the wrong plane and ends up in New York City. In addition to outsmarting the burglars, he is trying to throw off the hotel staff at the Plaza by convincing him that his father, who is actually in Florida with the rest of the family is in “important meetings” while Kevin runs around the Big Apple by himself.

Anyone who needs a little extra laugh during the sometimes stressful Christmas season should definitely watch this movie. You will find a new appreciation for your family and about 100 new ways to use random items around your house to defeat anyone who may try to rob you.