Five Lesser Known GREAT Christmas specials

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1.  Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.   I remember when I
was really little, in the 1970s, in the days before VCRs we used to have to try and watch for this to be on.  And the public broadcasting station always interrupted it for their fund drive, which seemed to be FOREVER.  This is another I watch every year.  Oscar the Grouch scared Big Bird about how Santa can deliver all the toys in one night, Big Bird camps out on the rooftop without telling anyone and all of Sesame Street is searching for Big Bird.  The Bert and Ernie rendition of O'Henry's classic Gift of the Magi story is fun.  Even without kids, you will find me watching this every year!



2.  It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown.  While most people love A Charlie Brown Christmas, It's Christmastime again is more of a favorite to me.  I love the jokes in this show, especially Harold Angel, and how Sally is worried about flubbing her line in the Christmas play (spoiler:  she does.)  Peppermint Patty as a sheep is so funny.  This is only available on VHS, but you can also download it from Amazon Video.

3.  The House Without A Christmas Tree is set in 1946 Nebraska.  Addie Mills wants a Christmas tree, but her father is grieving the loss of his wife and wants nothing to do with Christmas.  This is the 1972 made for TV movie, and one I watch every Christmas

4. Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas is a true classic.  Directed by Jim Henson, this shows all the genius of the Muppet creator, with characters that have never been seen in other shows or specials.  When Ma and Emmett sing "When The River Meets the Sea", (written by John Denver) it gives me chills (someone please add that to the hymnal!)  This special has it all, great characters, funny for children, sentimental for adults.  This should be on everyone's watch list every Christmas!

5.  Roundhouse Christmas.   I never really watched Roundhouse growing up, but one year Nick at Night was doing a bunch of old Christmas episodes all night long.  I set the VCR to record and Roundhouse was at the beginning of it.  It was kind of like Saturday Night Live for teenagers, and I was a teenager at the time.  The Christmas cards for those who don't celebrate Christmas were so politically incorrect for today's culture, but was hilarious then.   The advertisement for Yule-Tide which shrunk the ugly clothing gifts you were given was a hoot.

You can watch that one right here: