20 of the most cheerful holiday characters ranked

19. Ralphie Parker (A Christmas Story)

Every year, fans of A Christmas Story get to see Ralphie Parker share his biggest wish, to get his hands on an “official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.” In fact, the majority of the movie is Ralphie’s eternal optimism that Santa is listening to him and will get him the one thing his heart desires the most, even as he is repeatedly “you’ll shoot your eye out.”

Is there anything more cheerful than hope? Honestly, we have to give Ralphie a lot of credit here. He never wavers in his hope or faith in Santa. He truly believes that he will get the ultimate gift this year. And that’s not the only way he shows his faith.

Let’s not forget how Ralphie is completely convinced that with the help of the decoder ring he also waits for, he will learn the secret of the radio show messages.

Even if this is a movie you dislike, you have to admit that Ralphie is the epitome of childhood nostalgia. He has faith and hope and a solid belief in Santa. He is a child who still retains his child-like wonder and gives us our own sense of holiday cheer.