What's So Special About Christmas Specials? - The Top Animated Holiday Shows of All-Time!

Today we’re talking about those classic animated Christmas specials that everybody loves. Did you know that the very first animated holiday special made for TV was the classic 1962 “Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol”?

Bah-Humbug!

Since then, there have been hundreds of animated specials; some much better than others. (Anyone remember “Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey”?)

All the better to hear you with, my dear!

Christmas specials are holiday video treats brought to us by the TV networks and their corporate sponsors to get us into the Christmas spirit, and of course sell stuff.  I remember thinking Santa riding that electric razor was just part of the show.

There was a time before streaming, on-demand, DVR's, DVD's and VCR's when these shows would just air once a year.  If you missed it, you'd have to wait 12 long months for another chance to catch it.

Must record Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey!

These specials brought almost as much Christmas joy into our homes as a Christmas tree.

The staff here at Dad's Christmas Blog (DCB) has compiled a list of the four all-time greatest, most essential, definitive, iconic, not-to-be-missed Christmas specials of all-time! Check 'em out!

No kids, do it like this!

Frosty the Snowman: This special first aired in December of 1969, and has ran every year since. It tells the story of a snowman that comes alive with a magic hat and runs around town making friends with all the kids, especially little Karen. He's pursued by an inept magician who's after the magic hat, and ends up sacrificing himself to save Karen from freezing to death.  Of course, Santa comes in and saves the day and Frosty vows to return every year.  A promise he's managed to keep for well over 50 years!  This is a fun story with a theme song and narration by the famous Jimmy Durante.

Ain't no party like a Peanut party!

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Kicking off the holiday season of 1965, this was the very first animated version of the Peanut's gang. This laid-back special focuses on Charlie Brown who finds himself depressed at Christmas time.  With its tone, pacing and unorthodox jazz soundtrack, the network expected this one to be a big flop. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to love it. It's received several awards, including an Emmy, and the soundtrack, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, has sold over 5 million copies in the U.S.  This show aired every December on broadcast TV for 56 years before moving exclusively to Apple TV+. “Good grief!”

Could this post get any longer?

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The year after Charlie Brown hit it big, 1966, the Grinch came to town.  Chuck Jones, best known for making Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons, convinced Dr. Seuss himself to let him make this show.  Making it even more special, he got legendary Frankenstein actor, Boris Karloff to be narrator and the voice of the Grinch.  The theme song, “You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is goofy fun and the story itself is heart-warming and funny.  It's been remade a few times now, but here at DCB, we stand by the original.

I'm just a misfit.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Created in 1964, this special, based on the song that was based on a poem by the same name, no longer runs once annually, but several times during the holiday season. It is the longest continuously running Christmas TV special in the U.S.; and for good reason. It's awesome! I was always fascinated by the stop-motion animation of Rudolph, and the song “Holly Jolly Christmas” has become a traditional favorite nearly as popular as the title song. Besides great music, this story has thrills, chills, comedy, romance and a monster!

Ahh! These wings are so hot!!

Well, there you have it. our best of the best of the TV Christmas specials! I suggest you gather the family and watch a few of these if you haven’t already. Weird how they all came out in the 1960's.  But they're still a lot of fun to watch.  If you can think of any that are better than these, you're probably wrong, but we'll gladly give them an honorable mention. (Any Long-Eared Christmas Donkey fans out there?) -DCB

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Rudolph: Have you finished your Christmas shopping?
Hermie: Well, this year I’m sending all my gifts telepathically.  After all, it’s the thought that counts!
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Hermie:  Did you know the man who invented the Ferris wheel never met the man who invented the Merry-Go-Round?
Rudolph: Really?
Hermie: Yes. Seems they traveled in different circles.