What kid doesn’t love a great holiday TV special? I myself have fond memories of staying up a little extra late to catch some of my favorites. Reruns were always the best where you could memorize the script and look forward to seeing the part that you couldn’t wait to watch over and over again. Christmas stories are especially popular, adding to the child’s anticipation of Santa Claus to whoosh down the chimney with gifts. It is an enchanting time of year when magic is everywhere, particularly in the movies and shows that we view both in the cinemas and in our own homes. Although there’s no denying the hundreds of great children’s specials played during the last two months of the year, I have my top six that I just have to see to get me into the yuletide spirit.
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (1964)
A reindeer is out casted for having a bright red nose but finds a path straight to Santa when he is chosen to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve. Saving the day by lighting the way, this story tells a wonderful moral that sometimes the parts of us that are different are the ones that truly outshine us from the rest. The postal service this year commemorates this great flick with holiday stamps celebrating the movie. Exotic Flowers will be using these stamps on all their holiday mail.
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
A snowman comes to life when a magician loses his hat and finds itself on Frosty the Snowman’s head. Trouble appears when Frosty’s companion gets sick from the cold and he must get her to a warmer climate other than the chilly outdoors. Although the beloved snowman melts, Santa Claus promises to have Frosty return every winter to play with the children once again.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
All of Whoville is bursting with holiday cheer but little do they know that a terrible Grinch is plotting their ruin by planning to take their Christmas away. After stealing the decorations, cards, presents and feasts, he is stunned to find that the village still joins together to celebrate learning the true meaning of Christmas spirit can never be broken.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
The Peanuts gang joins together again when Charlie Brown searches for a deeper understanding of what Christmas is all about. Keeping in theme with the anti-commercialism aspect of the holiday, kids will love Snoopy’s rendition of stringing lights on top of his doghouse and Charlie’s sweet adoration for a small sapling tree.
A Christmas Carol (1984)
“Bah Humbug” are the famous words guffawed by Ebenezer Scrooge as three ghosts visit him with visions of his past, present and future. The miser soon learns that he is destined for doom if he does not change his stingy ways and open up his heart to the beauty of Christmas.
A Christmas Story (1983)
This is a fabulous story telling the tale of a typical family celebrating Christmas with one another. Filled with funny bits including feasting on their holiday meal at a Chinese restaurant, the father’s awful taste in leg lamps, bunny rabbit pajamas, getting tongues stuck to icy telephone poles and the famous scene when Ralphie shoots his eye out with a Beebe gun-you will love this movie as it reminds us of the bloopers that commonly occur during the Christmas season.
If you want to just tune in, check out ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas.
Suzie Canale
Fenway Park, 2014
Suzie lives in Westwood, MA and will be watching these shows with her two boys; creating lifetime memories.