I found a site with a very comprehensive list of Christmas movies and specials and when they air on TV this year. It inspired me to come up with my list of favorite Christmas shows. I really wanted to get this out sooner but facing a bit of writers block. If you don't have anything better to do, please read on.

12. A Family Circus Christmas (1979)

On TV? No. :-(

As a child, I would spend hours on the top bunk of my bunk bed reading comic strip compilations that I checked out from the library. One of my favorites was The Family Circus. So, I was very excited when I saw this holiday special for the first time. I’m surprised to find out this show first aired in 1979. I don’t remember watching it until the mid ‘80’s.  I find the humor of Family Circus to be pretty corny now and I think it’s loathed by people nowadays. A satirically biting review of the A Family Circus Christmas can be found here.

11. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974)

On TV? ABC Family Dec. 11th 10:30pm; Dec 14th 4pm; Dec. 24, 3:30pm (Eastern Time)

This animated special seems to be on every year though it doesn’t seem to pack the same nostalgic punch as other shows. The premise: A town, where humans and mice live together in harmony, is threatened with the possibility that Santa Claus will pass them by this Christmas. An obnoxious nerd mouse writes a letter to the editor declaring that Santa Claus does not exist. This offends St. Nick so much that he returns every letter sent to him by every man, woman, child and mouse in town. Such shock and awe sends the town into utter despair.  The mayor even endorses a clockmaker’s half-baked scheme to build a giant clock that will play a song for Santa at the stroke of midnight Christmas day. Hearing this music will undoubtedly change Santa’s mind. Amazingly, after an inadvertent sabotage and repentant repair of the clock by the nerd mouse, the plan actually works!

What I find more amazing than Santa Claus’ proven existence is the fact that mice can actually read and write. But nobody in this show seems to care. Not even the mice.

10. One Magic Christmas (1985)

On TV? Hallmark Dec. 13th 1pm; Dec. 14th 1am (Eastern Time)

This movie is inspired by It’s a Wonderful Life. I remember watching this one a few times growing up. I always liked it, but Amy had never seen it. A few years ago we watched it together and she thought I was crazy. Really, it’s a pretty dark movie. All I remember Amy exclaiming (despite its title) “THIS IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE????” This was at the point in the film where the dad is murdered by a bank robber and the children and bank robber, now kidnapper, plunge to their deaths into an icy river after a high speed chase leaving Mary Steenbergen without a family...Merry Christmas! Yeah, pretty harsh but it’s well made and has a good theme. Also, Harry Dean Stanton plays a mysterious guardian angel named Gideon who, when you take a step back, come’s across a little stalker-ish as he watches the family’s movements at night. He even appears in the daughter's bedroom and smashes her snow globe. Just to prove he's an angel.

9. A Garfield Christmas (1987)

On TV? ABC Family Dec. 9, 7pm; 10:30pm, Dec. 13 12pm (Eastern Time)

Garfield was another one of my favorite comic strips. I remember thinking when I was young that this was the first time Garfield was animated for television. But, a search on IMDB shows that there were six other specials starting in 1982. The only thing I remember from this show is the scene where the family lights their Christmas tree. The pic above shows the reaction of the characters as they say “Oooooooo!” I remember this cracked my brother, Nick, and I up for some reason.

8. The Polar Express (2004)

On TV? ABC Family Dec. 22, 6pm & 8:30pm

This one has become a tradition for me and Alex to watch every year. Our favorite character is the know-it-all kid with glasses. Alex was in stitches the first time he saw this kid with the nerdy voice pop up on screen and tattle “He did it!” He kept asking me to rewind and replay it over and over. The last couple of years Alex and I have mimicked this character’s quotes throughout the holiday season, much to Amy's annoyance.

The Polar Express is an ‘ok’ film by my standards. There are a few plot holes here and there and the look of the animated characters does have a slightly creepy, almost unsettling feel. Tom Hanks played multiple characters including the role of the ‘hero boy.’ All the children were physically played by adults, but voiced by child actors. The filmmakers used 3D computer animation to ‘skin’ the look of the characters over the physical movements of the actors.

A little useless trivia: Checking IMDB.com, I see that the ‘lonely boy’ character was played by Peter Scolari. Not many people will remember this but Scolari and Hanks were the main characters in a short lived ‘80’s sitcom called “Bosom Buddies”:

Two single men must disguise themselves as women to live in the one apartment they can afford.

 ...and hilarity ensues.

7. A Charlie Brown Christmas

On TV? Sorry Charlie, you missed it. Dec. 8 on ABC.

Poor Charlie Brown, he can’t ever catch a break. That sad, little Christmas tree he takes to the pageant only brings him more grief. One girl tells him he’s stupid—right to his face! Another girl calls him, and I quote, “a blockhead.”

6. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

On TV? Already aired Dec. 5th on CBS

Growing up this show was my absolute favorite animated (cartoonish) special. I think it was always followed by Frosty the Snowman. Rudolph is still fun to watch now but there are a few things that I pick up on that went over my head as a kid. Rudolph’s dad, Donner, saw the red nose and was like ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. Cover it up. We can’t have any of that around.” And Santa? That is one cold dude. He totally told Donner that he “should be ashamed of himself.” ‘Cause you know, his son was born with a birth defect and all. Not one of Santa's better moments in television.

5. Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

On TV? Not sure

Though Emmit Otter's jugband was pretty good, in a folksy lo-fi sort of way, nobody can deny the awesomeness of the Riverbottom Nightmare Band:

4. A Christmas Carol (1938) or Scrooge (1951)

On TV?  A Christmas Carol TCM Dec. 20 4:45 PM (Eastern Time)

Alastair Sim as Scrooge (1951)

I cannot tolerate any of the newer renditions of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. I only watch one of the versions that are in black and white. “Scrooge” (1951) is regarded as the best but the 1938 version is just as good. They seem to be darker than any of the modern, filmed in color, versions could ever be. But these two versions are harder to find on TV every year. Usually cable channels will air the versions starring George C. Scott, Kelsey Grammar or Captain Picard from Star Trek. All in color, all inferior. Amy would probably be rolling her eyes as she reads this. She has an aversion to watching anything in black and white.

3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

On TV? Can’t find it. :-(

A “classic” Christmas movie. The only thing I find at fault with this film is the animated Santa Claus intro. It just doesn’t fit with the rest of the film. For me, the best unobvious joke in the film is Cousin Eddie’s black turtleneck dickey clearly seen through his white v-neck sweater. There was never any mention of it by any of the characters. It’s just there for laughs by those with observant eyes.

2. A Christmas Story

On TV? TBS Marathon begins on Dec. 24, 8pm (Eastern time)

I also refer to this film as “Ralphie.” This movie is pure holiday gold. I remember seeing it in the theaters when it came out. Nothing was funnier than Santa Claus placing his foot on Ralphie’s head and pushing him down the slide. Well, maybe sticking the tongue to the icy pole.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

On TV? NBC Dec. 13, 7pm and Dec. 24th 8pm (Eastern Time)

Not only is It’s a Wonderful Life my favorite holiday movie, It’s also my favorite movie of all time. I really can’t say why I like it so much. It’s just an all around great movie. I feel for George Bailey whose dream was to travel the world, but just couldn’t break free of his small town. He had a few chances to leave, but his sense of duty and responsibility always kept him home. It wasn’t until he sees what life would be like without him that he realizes that everything he needs is right in Bedford Falls.

That's it. If you've read all this then you really must love Christmas shows as much as me. I know there are probably a few classics that I didn't include here. A Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas are a couple that come to mind. Scooged, with Bill Murray, should get honorable mention.

What are your favorite Christmas shows? Feel free to leave a comment.

Merry Christmas!