The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and good cheer and it is a beloved time of year for so many. It’s a time to reflect on the year that has passed and to look forward to the year ahead. It’s a time to celebrate all that we are grateful for. We love spending time with family and friends, and we love the warm and cozy feeling that comes with being surrounded by loved ones. We love the Christmas decorations, the Christmas music, and all of the festive activities.
And we’d be hard-pressed to go an entire holiday season without catching one of the many great Christmas shows that have been playing on television (and in our hearts) year after year after year. We’ve seen them over and over again and can often recite the dialogue word for word. We know the little idiosyncracies and the funny voices. We sing along with the music. The holidays just wouldn’t be the holidays without these Christmas TV specials that are so near and dear to our hearts.
Read More »A Charlie Brown Christmas
For most people, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas every year is as much of a tradition as decorating the Christmas tree. This beloved classic TV special is simply timeless, and no matter how many years go by we still get the same thrill when watching it. We love the story of friendship, loyalty, and kindness that Charlie Brown teaches us. We laugh along with him as he attempts to put on a play, while simultaneously dealing with his own personal struggles. Vince Guaraldi’s music in this show is iconic, and the message of peace and love resonates with audiences young and old.
A Charlie Brown Christmas was the first television special created from the classic. Peanuts comic strip. In 1965, it won both an Emmy and Peabody Award and was even inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. It’s a holiday classic that has been enjoyed by generations of viewers, and we look forward to it every year!
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Another classic Christmas special that never gets old is The Grinch. When this show first aired in 1966, it was an instant hit because of its catchy musical numbers and witty humor. We love how the Grinch learns that Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations, it’s about being close to the people you love. We also love his transformation from a frowny creature into one with a smile as wide as the Whoville river.
Based on Dr. Seuss’s 1957 children’s book and narrated by Boris Karloff, The Grinch remains one of the most beloved Christmas specials today. The show has been adapted into a feature-length film, and it’s also been used as the basis for many theatrical productions. No matter how you experience The Grinch, whether it’s through watching the TV special or seeing the live theater production, it is sure to bring smiles, laughter, and great memories of the past.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
This Christmas television classic is a musical masterpiece, filled with catchy tunes and memorable characters. We love how Rudolph stands up to the bullies and uses his nose to light the way for Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. It’s a heartwarming story of accepting your differences and embracing what makes you unique. The unique animation style, quirky characters, and catchy music make this one of the most beloved Christmas TV specials ever.
Interestingly enough, this stop-motion animated TV special was based on the song written by Johnny Marks in 1949. It was first aired in 1964, and it quickly became an iconic Christmas classic. Every year since then, we look forward to watching Rudolph’s journey to the Island of Misfit Toys with his furry friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius.
Frosty The Snowman
Frosty The Snowman is a classic, heartwarming story about a snowman who comes to life with the help of a magical hat. We love seeing Frosty’s adventures and learning how special he really is. He also teaches us a valuable lesson about friendship and kindness, as he says goodbye to his beloved friends at the end of the show (with a cameo by Santa Claus). The catchy music and vibrant animation make this one of our favorite Christmas TV specials of all time.
Having first aired in 1969, Frosty The Snowman has been a staple of the holiday season for over 50 years. We look forward to singing along with Frosty each year, and can’t help but be filled with joy when we see him coming back to life at the end of the show. His message about friendship is always timely, and we love seeing how he brings joy to the whole town.
The Little Drummer Boy
This timeless Christmas special is the perfect reminder of the importance of kindness and giving. We love how the little drummer boy uses his music to show kindness to a baby Jesus in need of comfort. It’s a beautiful story that teaches us not only about charity but also about friendship and family.
The Little Drummer Boy first aired in 1968, and it quickly became one of the nation’s most beloved holiday TV specials. Its memorable characters, catchy tunes, and heartwarming message make it a timeless classic that continues to bring joy to families every year. We love watching this special every holiday season, and we’re certain that many generations will continue to enjoy it.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town is another classic Christmas television special that we look forward to watching each year. This musical show tells the tale of Kris Kringle, a young boy who eventually becomes Santa Claus. We love this story because it shows how one person can make a difference and spread joy by simply believing in the magic of Christmas. We also love the musical numbers and catchy tunes that are featured throughout this show.
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town has been airing since 1970 and it continues to be a favorite among viewers of all ages. It’s a classic holiday special that always brings smiles, laughter, and joy during the Christmas season. In fact, it was even selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2019. We look forward to watching Kris Kringle’s adventures every year and are always filled with joy when he arrives at the end of the show!
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
While not always aired on television year after year, Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is certainly a holiday classic that we can’t help but watch whenever it’s available. This 1977 TV special tells the story of Emmet Otter and his mother, who enter a talent show in hopes of winning the prize money to pay for Christmas dinner. We love this heartwarming story about a family’s determination and hope in the face of poverty, and we can’t help but smile when Emmet and his mother win at the end.
The music featured throughout this special is incredibly catchy, with beloved songs like “Riverbottom Nightmare Band” and “When The River Meets The Sea.” We love watching Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas each year, and we’re sure it will continue to be a holiday favorite for many years to come.
John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together
In 1979, John Denver and The Muppets joined forces to create one of the most beloved Christmas TV specials ever. This special is filled with great music and hilarious moments, as we watch John Denver and the gang sings some classic holiday tunes. It also teaches a valuable lesson about friendship, as each character learns that it’s not always easy but they can work together to make Christmas special.
This 45-minute television special was first aired in 1979 and has since gone on to become a beloved Christmas tradition. Who wouldn’t love singing along with John Denver and the Muppets as they spread some much-needed Christmas cheer? It’s a classic that will never go out of style, and one that we look forward to watching every year.
A Garfield Christmas
Another Christmas special that was borne out of a comic strip, A Garfield Christmas is a hilarious show that follows Garfield, the lazy and mischievous cat, as he visits his Grandma’s farm for the holidays. Despite all of the hijinks (and at times chaos) that ensue, we love how through it all Garfield learns some important lessons about family and friendship.
This 1987 television special is filled with great music and moments of heartfelt sincerity. We love the old-fashioned feel to it, and the classic animation style that resembles the comic strip it was based on. Plus, you can’t help but smile when Garfield gets into some trouble yet still manages to save Christmas in the end. This is a must-see for any fan of the Garfield franchise and Christmas classics.
Happy Winter Watching!
It’s safe to say that these Christmas TV shows are timeless classics and will never cease to bring a smile to our faces. We look forward to watching them year after year and hope they will continue entertaining families for many more years. From Charlie Brown’s quest for peace and love to Rudolph’s misadventures, these specials will always have a place in our hearts during the holiday season. So grab your hot chocolate and marshmallows, cozy up on the couch, and enjoy some classic winter viewing! Happy Holidays!
