The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Classic Christmas Specials

Hi friends!

I can’t believe TOMORROW is December 1st! ❄️You know what that means…it’s time to crack open that eggnog, hang your ornaments on the Christmas tree and watch all your favorite Christmas Classics!

One of my favorite memories is being with my whole family, putting ornaments on the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas music in the background and then watching one of the Christmas specials afterwards. I seriously look forward to watching these films every. single. year!

Theres no better way to get into the holiday spirit than rating all my favorite 60s & 70s Classic Christmas movies! Get ready for lots of nostalgia with these childhood favorites!

1. The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
Without a doubt, my all-time favorite Christmas special! What’s not to love about a film that has all sorts of holiday characters along with some pretty catchy songs weaved in. Heat Miser & Snow Miser? Iconic. It may be a Year Without a Santa Claus but it’s definitely not a year without watching this movie every Christmas season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_foc87X9_c

2. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)

Another stop-motion special from Rankin/Bass! I love that this movie gives a back-story to Santa Claus and all the traditions we partake in during the Christmas season. Not to mention the famous songs that we all know & love featured in it as well. Theres just something about those Rankin/Bass productions that bring me so much joy.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer (1964)

I mean, Who doesn’t love Rudolph?! It’s the longest running Christmas TV special thats been telecasted every single year since it was first aired December 6th, 1964! Again, another Rankin/Bass special filled with sing-a-long songs and memorable quotes that have been adored by many, many generations.

4. Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Listen, this whole list is basically all Rankin/Bass films, but can you blame me? They produced such good, classic Christmas specials. Anyways, everyone loves the story of that lovable snowman who was brought to life one day. This is a classic Christmas film that is sure to melt your heart. Happy Birthday!!!

5. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

A Charlie Brown Christmas is another classic Christmas film. This laid-back, slow paced film is filled with classic lines (like Linus’ famous monolouge), the iconic small Christmas tree chosen by Charlie and Christmas jazz music that is hard not to bop your head to. For sure this film was bound to make this list!

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

Now, this is a movie I remember watching in elementary school during our little classroom Christmas party. How the Grinch Stole Christmas trades in the usual happy-go-lucky theme in exchange for a Christmas-hating green “monster” wanting to get rid of Christmas entirely. Of course, by the end of the movie the Grinch has a change of heart and Christmas is saved…but you didn’t need me to tell you that.

Sidebar: That scene where the Grinch makes that big, evil grin always scared the shit out of my little sister…I’m sure it still does to this day. He just looks so creepy!

7. Jack Frost (1979)

Seriously, I love Jack Frost, and I feel like it’s such an underrated Christmas special. The film is narrated by a cute, lil groundhog named Pardon-Me-Pete and tells about the legend of Jack Frost. When you think about it, it’s actually quite sad. I mean, the overall fact that Jack Frost becomes human for one winter in a failed attempt to win the love of a special girl named Elisa. If you haven’t seen this one (even though I’m sure you have), I 10/10 recommend it.

Just talking about all these films has made me SO excited! Which Christmas Classic is your favorite? Let me know!

Happy Holidays!

Maddie ☮︎