10 Nostalgic Christmas Specials to Enjoy This Holiday Season

Valenti Govantes/Staff Writer

Whether they are based on a song or television series, Christmas specials have been a vital part of the holiday season. Although most are considered corny and overly sentimental by today’s television standards, years of reruns during Christmas time shows their charm never fades. Grab your fuzzy socks and hot chocolate, and experience the holiday season with a Christmas special. 

  1.  Santa Claus is Comin to Town (1970)

YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRt3XXJs_54

This stop-motion animated special follows a young Kris Kringle as he begins giving gifts to children and evolves into the titular Santa Claus. The special answers all kinds of questions about the holiday figure: how he got his outfit, how he started giving gifts to children, why he goes through the chimney, etc. The cartoon was created by famed holiday special creators Rankin/Bass, and gives a charming insight into the meaning of Christmas. 

Available on: ABC.com

2.  A Charlie Brown Christmas (1969)

Youtube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jmCffjiwM&list=PLLVts612J19Z_i9wjm5DDmj5p5gAh9g_1

Adapted from the classic comic strip Peanuts, this special focuses on Charlie Brown as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. The recent uproar over the removal of the Charlie Brown specials from television stations reaffirms the place of this special as the perfect holiday entertainment. This program in particular will leave you with a renewed holiday spirit. 

Available on: Apple TV+ 

3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/114504471

Inspired by the classic Christmas song of the same name, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer sees the title character from his initial rejection by the other reindeer to leading Santa’s sleigh. The first major special in the Rankin/Bass catalog, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer portrays a sweet coming of age story themed to the Christmas holiday. Today, the special has been the subject of funny memes mocking the show’s endearingly weird moments.

Available on: CBS All Access

4. Spongebob Square Pants – “Christmas Who?”  (2000)

YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J11oIvgWec&list=PLg4nWNQB6QIYaowaxr3-6w0WpCyWy7jAV&index=1&t=19s

This Christmas-themed episode of the iconic Nickelodeon cartoon series, features the title character spreading the holiday spirit around Bikini Bottom. Many Gen-Zers have a special nostalgia for Spongebob since they grew up watching the cartoon. This episode is great for those who want to tap into their childhood with a trusted character. 

Available on: CBS All Access


5. The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQY4A7pzHAo&list=PLMKhgS7inh4pC5of81h0lehdLFiT74Vci&index=1

In this special, Santa comes down with a cold and cancels Christmas, leading Mrs. Claus to find ways to keep Christmas back on including the help of the Miser Brothers. The standout characters in the cartoon are definitely Snow Miser and Heat Miser with their exaggerated and comical personalities. The characters, the decent animation, and the grand scope are why it is considered one of the best Rankin/Bass has created. 

Available on: Amazon Prime Video, AMC.com, YouTube

6. Seinfeld – “Festivus” (1997)

Youtube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX55AzGku5Y

In this episode of the famous sitcom starring comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Kramer deals with the fallout of a strike in his workplace as Frank introduces the gang of characters to Festivus, an alternative holiday to Christmas. “Festivus” is a hilarious satire on consumerism that is synonymous with Christmas and a perfect example of the show’s realistic humor. 

Available on: Hulu

7.  Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2000)

Youtube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFATUs4HtkE

This show, inspired by the wacky song of the same name, follows a young boy who realizes his grandmother who got run over by Santa’s reindeer, is still alive. The special is notable for its repeated airings on Cartoon Network in the years since its premiere. The early 2000s animation and bizarre story make the special an enjoyable watch. 

Available on: Amazon Prime Video 

  8. Friends – “The One With the Holiday Armadillo”  (2000)

Youtube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH-6u-3qglY

In this episode of the extremely popular sitcom, Ross dresses up in an armadillo costume in order to teach his son about the holidays to the confusion of his friends. The episode presents a contrast between the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays such as how the latter holiday has no real mascot. It is a comical look into these cultural differences when celebrating the holiday season.  

Available on: HBO Max 

9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1968)

Youtube Clip:

In the first adaptation of the book by Dr.Seuss, irritated by the seeming materialism displayed by the Whos, the Grinch decides to take their Christmas gifts and decorations. The adaptation brings the book to life with colorful animation that has aged amazingly well. With the extremely likeable Grinch as the main lead, the adaptation continues to appeal those sick of Christmas consumerism everywhere. 

Available on:  YouTube 

10. The Office – “A Benihana Christmas” (2006)

YouTube Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwveKepqCos

In this two-part episode from Season 3, heartbroken by a breakup, Michael Scott spends Christmas with Jim, Dwight, and Andy at a Benihana restaurant. The episode brings the characters outside of the office environment to highlight the silliness that comes when attending Christmas dinners. In times such as these, it is nice to sit down and relive memories of such occasions. 

Available on: Netflix

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