Written By: Justin Lee
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is watching how TV shows and movies incorporate the holidays into their story. Now, I really enjoy Christmas episodes and specials, so my list could go on and on....but here is a list to get you started this year.
Fireplace- Nothing special here, just a DVD with a video of logs burning in a fireplace. This may help those without a firplace to set the mood for a romantic Christmas date…or just to say you opened presents in front of a roaring fire.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas- Nothing brings in the holidays like Charlie Brown. This special may have one of the most recognizable songs in all of TV history.
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas- Another Christmas classic that never gets old (unless you replace the main characters with Jim Carrey and Faith Hill).
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A Muppet Family Christmas- Watching this always makes me sad that we lost Jim Henson too soon. The muppets are on their way home and run in to some familiar faces like: The Fraggles, Sesame Street, and MORE!
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The Town That Santa Forgot- This is a special that I haven’t seen since I was a kid. It originally aired on Cartoon Network, and if anyone knows where I can find the DVD, it would make my Christmas! Also, this is narrated by the one and only Dick Van Dyke.
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A Very Garfield Christmas- In this special Garfield, Odie, and John head back to the Arbuckle family Christmas at the old farm house.
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Family Circus- A member of the family returns in a spooky way to help find the tree-topper.
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It’s Always Sunny In Philidelphia - PARENTAL ADVISORY WARNING Just a couple of degenerates trying to survive Christmas…
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Movies
Elf – “Us elves’ like to stick to the 4 basic food groups: candy, candy corn, candy canes, and SYRUP!”
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A Christmas Story – A Christmas classic that airs every Christmas Eve for 24 hours straight.
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It’s A Wonderful Life – This movie needs no introduction.
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Scrooged – Bill Murray runs a television network. His current project is a live-broadcast of “A Christmas Carol”.
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Jingle all the way – Arnold hits downtown Minneapolis to find his son the hottest toy of the season, Turbo Man.
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The Santa Clause – The first of three (and best) stars Tim Allen as the man who takes over for Santa Claus.
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation – Hands down my FAVORITE Christmas movie. Clark Griswold is the ultimate family man and has always dreamed of having a fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.
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Home Alone – A problem child gets left behind as the family leaves Chicago for the holiday. A burglury on Christmas!? AAAAAHHHHHHH!!! (get it?)
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TV Episodes
King of the Hill: Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane
In this episode, Bobby joins Hank on a cross-country trip via semi. But to their surprise, Dale, Boomhaur, and Bill joined along, as well. While the guys are gone, Peggy and Luanne attempt to write an original Christmas song.
King of the Hill: Ms. Wakefield
What happens when a crazy, old lady tries to return to her childhood home?... to die?...on Christmas!? This is an interesting episode to say the least.
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Family Guy- Road to the North Pole
After Stewie and Brian get the cold shoulder from a mall Santa, they decide to take a trip to the North Pole.
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Batman: The Animated Series- Holiday Knights
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The Simpsons - Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
The first episode of the Simpsons to be aired was “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”. Homer doesn’t get a Christmas bonus, which means less presents for the family. This is also the origin of how “Santa’s Little Helper” joined the Simpson family.
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3rd Rock From The Sun: Jolly Old St. Dick
This show is based around aliens coming to earth and learning about human interaction. Watching human experience Christmas for the first time is hilarious!
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I Love Lucy: I Love Lucy Christmas Special When everyone tries to make it an extra-special Christmas by dressing up as Santa, the gang realizes they didn’t need to dress up at all.
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The Andy Griffith Show- The Christmas Story This is an episode for the whole family.
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The Office (US)- The Office has several Christmas episodes, but the first is hard to top. This has everything anybody who works in an office setting could want: gift exchange gone wrong, 20 bottles of vodka, and some bad decisions.
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Like I said, this is only a starter kit for your holiday. Is there something you didn't see on the list that should be there? Let me know via twitter or tumblr. You can also hit me up via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I hope everybody has an awesome and safe Christmas!
