One thing that gets me in the mood? Christmas specials. I love Christmas specials. Below, my list for some of the greatest specials of all time. Two things to note: some of these specials are impossible to find online. I know, right? So apologies for not having videos for everything on the list. Also, note the difference between Christmas specials and Christmas movies. There is a difference, but a lot of other people who’ve discussed this tend to get mixed up. I’ll post my favourite Christmas movies (probably a top 5) and perhaps a top 5 of Christmas episodes of various television shows. But for now, enjoy!
10. Rudolph. It’s a little dated, sure, but you can’t go through the holidays without watching this one. It’s cute, it’s sweet, it’s classic. Yes, Rudolph’s voice can get a little irritating, but it’ll get you in the mood for Christmas, if nothing else. (Plus, there’s a great moment in a Christmas episode of That ‘70s Show, where they discuss Rudolph’s sexuality and it’s frigging hilarious! “Rudolph has a girlfriend! Clarisse. If anyone’s gay, it’s Herbie. No straight elf has hair like that!!!”)
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Much like It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!, this one is a must. The scene where they sing by the tree is pretty legendary.
8. Dr. Suess's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Duh. Who doesn’t love this one? It doesn’t feel like Christmas without the Grinch. Plus,“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is so darn catchy!
7. Frosty the Snowman. This was – and still is – one of my favourites of all time. I watched it at least 1,000 times as a kid, and watching it now brings me back. Maybe it’s the nostalgic in me, but I think this is one of the greatest cartoons specials of all time.
6. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. I completely forgot about this one until recently, I admit, but it was a favourite of mine when I was pretty young. It's a cute retelling of the original poem by the same name, with a mouse family as the main characters, and it stars Joel Grey. Joel + cartoon mice = a winning combination. Trust me.
5. A Pinky & the Brain Christmas. A more modern classic, but a classic it is nevertheless. Watch and enjoy – just make sure you have plenty of Kleenex when the Brain reads Pinky’s letter to Santa towards the end.
4. Care Bears Nutcracker Suite. I watched the Care Bears every morning when I was young, and I always loved this special. It lasted several episodes, since it’s quite a long story, but their version of the ultimate Christmas tradition is one worth catching. If you can. And if you do, let me know. It’s been too long since I’ve seen it.
Note: I can't find a clip of this freaking episode anywhere, so we have to make do with a picture. Sorry, gang. I'll call Veronica Mars, maybe she can help.
3. Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too. Pooh and the gang have always been a favourite of mine, so it’s not a shock that their Christmas special made this list. It’s a sweet story with loveable characters – what’s not to love?
2. A Garfield Christmas Special. Another one of my favourites – I’ve seen this one many a time, too. This particular special actually packs quite the punch – watch the scene where Grandma is looking over her old letters from her now-deceased husband and reminiscing her life with him. I defy you to watch that scene and not get misty-eyed. Defy you, I say.
And finally...
1. Mickey’s Christmas Carol. If I had to choose just one Christmas special to give the title of My Absolute Favourite, it would be this one. Like Frosty, it could be the nostalgia factor, as I watched this incarnation of the Dickens classic about 1,000 times, too. I’ve seen many versions of A Christmas Carol, including the amazing Jim Carrey production that came out a few weeks ago, but Mickey and the gang really bring it to the table for me. It’s a little short, but hey, it was meant for kids, after all. I have to watch this special every year, or it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas.
And there you have it. Have fun watching them!
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