5. Billy Bob Thornton - Bad Santa
A work of utter genius - remarkably removed from the traditional image of the loving, altruistic old man in the red suit, Thornton's take on Santa is a chauvinistic, womanising drunk with a serious attitude problem and very little in the way of Christmas spirit. Still hugely watchable, and charming for entirely the wrong reasons.
4. Jack Skellington - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Second entry on this list from Burton's colourful imagination, and the least traditional of all ten choices since he's like a skeleton but Jack's journey to discovering what Christmas is all about, through self-discovery and fascinated exploration is a fine basis for the film's overall festive themes. Ironically, it is only when Jack takes off the misappropriated "Sandy Claws" suit that he realises exactly what Christmas is about, and decides to rescue the real Santa from Oogie's evil clutches. But for a minute there, it's impossible not to be sucked in by Jack's naive joy at being given the chance to do Christmas his own way, and his pride in wearing the famous red suit.
