Christmas Opinion Article

Watch 101 Classic Christmas Videos Online

Opinion by

greedo posted over a year ago

190 fans

(12/04/08 Update: I'm currently cleaning up the dead links in this article. You can also
take a look at my 2nd Big List of Christmas Videos - ...e!)

Ahh Christmas. The tree, the stockings, the mistletoe and - of course - the holiday television programming.

Some of my fondest Christmas memories were spent in front a of television watching such classics as the animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or one of the myriad versions of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'.

So without further ado, I am presenting you with my big, big list of holiday specials. I've tried to categorize the list into subsections to make it a little more bearable and consumable. The list is in no particular order, though the first section, 'essentials', are (in my humble opinion) the cream of the crop. I should also note that I've only included programs for which I was able to find online videos so you'll notice some glaring omissions (like 'A Christmas Story' and 'Miracle on 34th Street).

In any event, here's wishing you a great Christmas. Now sit back and dig into some of the best Christmas content on the web...

The Essentials
If you can only watch a couple of holiday specials, these are the ones to watch. This is the proverbial 'hall of fame' of Christmas programming.

1. It's a Wonderful Life (click to watch)

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas (click to watch)

3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (click to watch)

4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (click to watch)

5. Frosty the Snowman (click to watch)

Stop-Motion Animation (Claymation)
There aren't too many specials in this category, but the legendary Rudolph the Red Nosed Reinder (listed as entry #3 in the "Essentials" section) make it necessary to call out other specials in this genre. There's something about claymation and Christmas that seem to go hand-in-hand.

31. Santa Claus is Coming to Town (click to watch)

32. The Year Without a Santa Claus (click to watch)

33. Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (click to watch)

34. Davey & Goliath: Christmas Lost & Found (click...ch)

35. Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Celebration (click ...ch)

Versions of 'A Christmas Carol'
There have been so many versions of this Charles Dickens classic that it warrants its own section in this article. Here are just a few of the adaptations (all animated, I might add):

36. Mickey's Christmas Carol (click to watch)

37. Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol (click to watch)

38. Richard Williams' A Christmas Carol (click to watch)

Sitcoms
The sitcom is another mainstay of Christmas. Year after year television sitcoms revel in the same, recyled holiday plots. Of course there are some original bright spots (like 'The Office' and Seinfeld's classic 'Festivus' episode).

39. The Simpsons Christmas Episode (click to watch)

40. The Flinstones Christmas Episode (click to watch)

41. Scrubs: Christmas Episode (click to watch)

42. The Beverly Hillbillies: Christmas Episode (click to watch)

43. That 70's Show: Christmas Episode (click to watch)

44. Friends: Season 6 Christmas Episode (click to watch)

45. Seinfeld: Festivus (click to watch)

46. Ozzie & Harriet: Christmas Episode (click to watch)

47. Mork & Mindy: Mork's 1st Christmas (click to watch)

48. Veronica's Closet: Veronica's Christmas (click to watch)

49. The Brady Bunch: The Voice of Christmas (click to watch)

50. A Very Brady Christmas (click to watch)

51. Family Ties: A Christmas Story (click to watch)

52. Family Ties: A Keaton Xmas Carol (click to watch)

Music Videos
Christmas music is an integral part of Christmas. Sure some of it is cheesy and way too corny, but I generally enjoy Christmas music in reasonable doses. Here are some of my favorites. My all-time favorite clip is probalby the improbable duet between David Bowie and Bing Crosby from a 1977 Christmas Special.

53. Bing Crosby: White Christmas (click to watch)

54. Karen Carpenter: Merry Christmas Darling (click to watch)

55. Band Aid: do They Know it's Christmas? (click to watch)

56. Faith Hill: where Are You Christmas (click to watch)

57. Elmo & Patsy: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (...ch)

58. Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas is You (click t...ch)

59. Paul McCartney: Wonderful Christmas Time (click to watch)

60. Judy Garland: Silent Night (click to watch)

61. Run DMC: Christmas in Hollis (click to watch)

62. David Bowie & Bing Crosby: Drummer Boy (click to watch)

63. Elvis Presley: Blue Christmas (click to watch)

64. Billy Idol: Jingle Bell Rock (click to watch)

65. Kenny G: Merry Little Christmas (click to watch)

66. U2: It's Christmas Baby (click to watch)

67. John Lennon: Happy Xmas (War is Over) (click to watch)

68. Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra: It's a Marshmallow Wo...ch)

69. Trans Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Canon (click to watch)

70. Christina Aguilera & Brian McKnight: Merry Little ...ch)

71. Wham!: Last Christmas (click to watch)

72. Kelly Clarkson: O Holy Night (click to watch)

73. Whitney Houston: Do You Hear What I Hear (click to watch)

74. Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song (click to watch)

75. Johnny Mathis: Silver Bells (click to watch)

Miscellaneous Specials & Documentaries
This is a mish-mash of some different Christmas programming that I didn't know how to categorize otherwise. Still, you'll find some interesting (non-animated) stuff.

76. Ali G Christmas Message (click to watch)

77. Mythbusters Christmas Special (click to watch)

78. Christmas Unwrapped: The Truth About Christmas (click ...ch)

79. The Naked Chef: Christmas Comes Early (click to watch)

80. The Worst Christmas Jobs in History (click to watch)

The Commercials
Of course, with all that Christmas television programming there's bound to be an equal amount of holiday-themed advertising. Here are some of my favorites. I'm partial to the Hershey's Kisses commercial.

81. The Coca-Cola Holiday Truck (click to watch)

82. Fruity Pebbles Christmas Commercial (click to watch)

83. McDonalds : Ice-Skating Ronald McDonald (click to watch)

84. Honey Nut Cheerios (click to watch)

85. Hershey's Kisses Christmas Commercial (click to watch)

86. DirectTV: Bad Guys Become Good for the Holidays (click...ch)

87. Coca-Cola: Teach the World to Sing (click to watch)

88. Victoria's: Dazzle Me (click to watch)

The Parodies, Sketches & Spoofs
Because poking fun at Christmas may be irreverant, but it can also be pretty damned funny. Here are some short clips and sketches that have some fun with Christmas.

89. The Three Little Pigs' Christmas (click to watch)

90. South Park: Merry F@%#%ing Christmas (click to watch)

91. Mad TV: Raging Rudolph (click to watch)

92. Indian Santa Claus: Funny Sketch (click to watch)

93. Family Guy: Christmas CD Ad (click to watch)

94. Christmas with Mr. Bill (click to watch)

95. Jeff Foxworthy: The Redneck 12 Days of Christmas (clic...ch)

96. Scrubs Performs 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' (click to watch)

97. Dogs Barking 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' (click t...ch)

98. A Christmas Gory: Christmas Story Spoof (click to watch)

99. If Santa Claus Were Like Fox TV's '24' (click to watch)

The Abominations
Of course, not all holiday specials are created equal. Folks have create a lot of horrible Christmas programming over the years. I'm not about to subject myself to watching or cataloging all of them, but here are a few to get you started. But note that you have been warned - these will have you crying out: "oh the humanity" before too long.

100. Star Wars Holiday Special (part 1, part 2)

101. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (click to watch)

Well, that's it. 101 videos as promised. If I missed anything good be sure to message me or add a comment below. Merry Christmas!

Feel free to check out my other soapboxes:
* Halloween Treats: The Big List of Halloween Videos
* Another 101 Christmas Videos to Watch and Enjoy (2007 ...on)
* The Top 10 Creepiest Fast Food Mascots
* The Top 10 Hottest Animated Disney Babes

107 comments

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	sfdude said: This list is friggin AMAZING. You rock Greedo! posted over a year ago.

	smokyjoe said: Nice. I guess I know what I'm watching at work today ;-) posted over a year ago.

	sfdude said: Number 102 would have to be Justin Timberlake on SNL with Dick in a Box! http://www.fanpop.com/spots/justin-timbberlake/links/13913 Now THAT was classic. :) posted over a year ago.

	annieb said: Hey! Where's Emmit Otter??? posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: Hmm....several links here were dead. The Simpsons Xmas was among one of them. posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: Just went to youtube.com for the Simpsons Christmas and it was there. So....if you need your Homer Xmas fix then you should head there instead. You may also want to look up - and watch Christmas Bear under youtube.com as thats a real cute one 2. posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: How could this site overlook Perry Como - Nat King Cole and Andy Williams? Their the heart of what was yet their not here. posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: Rather....of what Christmas was to America who grew up in the 50's - 60's and 1970's posted over a year ago.

	greedo said: Thanks DuaneBoda - I updated the Simpsons link. If there are other broken ones, just let me know. It's inevitable that stuff will get pulled down. I did look for Andy Williams and Mario Lanza vids, but most of them just had static images with music in the background -- so they weren't so interesting. I totally overlooked Perry Como (my bad!). At the end of the day, the list was based around (a) availability of content and (b) stuff that I liked. So sure, lots of stuff got left off. But if you find something interesting, just post a link like sfdude did to the comments so that others might check it out. posted over a year ago.

	sundodger said: How about "The Tick Loves Santa?" Spoon! http://www.thetick.ws/car23.html posted over a year ago.

	greedo said: Sundodger, nice call. Here are 2 more to add to the list. #103: The Tick Loves Santa http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/llinks/13924 #104: Rudolph's Shiny New Year (Rankin Bass) http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/llinks/13925 The latter isn't necessarily a Christmas special, but it's another one of those Rankin Bass claymation classics (remember the big-eared Baby New Year?) posted over a year ago.

	PaulE said: You rock! This is seasonally AWESOME!!! posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: How about adding The Carpenters Christmas Alphabet to the list? And also the CBS Christmas greeting from the 70's? The first one can be found at Classic Tv Ads (page 2) and the other is also available IF you look it up. I could do this (if desired) its a short clip - maybe a minute in total length but it has a certain charm to it. posted over a year ago.

	DuaneBoda said: One more....can anyone find the Happy Days first Christmas episode? I don't believe its being shown anywhere on TV yet this season and won't be widely available (for sale) until early April of next year when the first complete season goes on sale. posted over a year ago.

	gator1825 said: Where is the famous Christmas Story with the leg lamp? posted over a year ago.

	HooHoo said: Thats right Rah-binnn,I invented Christmas,tell `em Fred.Hoo hoo hoo hoo. posted over a year ago.

	TooMuchToDo said: In a 2003 Nick@Nite Christmas special, Clay Aiken sang with Bing Crosby. The duet is too cute not to be included in your list. Here's a link: http://www.sendspace.com/file/upbpmz posted over a year ago.

	JinxMcHue said: Didn't the "Dungeons & Dragons" cartoon have a Christmas episode? posted over a year ago.

	JinxMcHue said: Oh, no. Nevermind. I think it was something about Venger's birthday or making nice with him or something. posted over a year ago.

	BigSuze said: This is truly amazing, now if I could only find Dave Foley's True Meaning of Christmas Specials my life would finally be complete. posted over a year ago.

	lemergirl said: Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas? The only reason I checked this list out was to see where Emmett was ranked!!! You obviously have never seen it... posted over a year ago.

	flowerpower said: lemergirl - the author says it isn't a rank list. he just tried to post what he could find. i've looked for emmett otter and haven't been able to find it. i'm assuming that's why it's not on the list. posted over a year ago.

	jerseygirl said: For all you Emmett Otter fans it looks like elizs has added at least Part 1 of Emmett Otter's Jug Band Christmas: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/llinks/13998 Thanks elizs! posted over a year ago.

	artthesmart said: i am so thankful someone sent me this.....peace posted over a year ago.

	kpowers said: what about Mr Maggoo's Christmas Carol????? posted over a year ago.

	cyndi411 said: OK. YES -- Emmett Otter! "I'm not just hungry, I'm HUNGRY!!!" Although, let's not forget Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas special, seriously cameo's from Cher, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg?? C'mon! And for commercials, the quintesential 80's Christmas commercial -- Folgers, guy comes home on Christmas morning via a friend in a VW bug, wakes his family up with coffee brewing?? PETER!! posted over a year ago.

	mrk said: Pretty cool... with this list, that's more than enough christmas for the next 101 years.. why do they keep making these things? posted over a year ago.

	tankgirl said: Greedo! You are my hero!!! I am out of the US with no TV for my 10yr old and weve been looking everywhere for good christmas movies online!!! YOU saved christmas:) posted over a year ago.

	adva said: Where might be Opus Penguin, "A wish for wings that work" only saw it once on TV back in the early 90's late 80's. Adva posted over a year ago.

	lemming said: Greedo - here's another Charlie Brown Christmas special. This one is called "It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown" http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/llinks/14045 Enjoy. posted over a year ago.

	HairyPotter said: And the "Married w/Children" episode where "santa" falls out of an airplane into their back yard, and they have to smuggle the corpse past all the waiting kids? One of the funniest episodes of them all! posted over a year ago.

	sherry_baby16 said: Does anyone know where to find the California Raisin's Christmas Special? posted over a year ago.

	AirDave817 said: Awesome! Thanks for compiling the list! posted over a year ago.

	greedo said: sherry_baby16, Will Vinton's Christmas Special (#34 in the list) is the California Raisin's special, here's the link: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/christmas/llinks/13835 posted over a year ago.

	sweetstf42 said: Thank you Thank you Thank you What a wonderful collection we have had great time here in our office watching posted over a year ago.

	cat_sigh said: Where is the stop-motion animation "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" based on the story by L. Frank Baum? This is my all-time favorite Christmas special because of its bizarre pagan idea of Claus being a foundling raised by fairies and a she-lion in a magical forest. I think it was made in the early 80's, and it's been revived on the Family Channel's run of Christmas specials, and yet I swear I am the only person to have ever seen it. There are even terrible "Where the Wild Things Are" style monsters that steal all the toys, and a fabulous song about a little black cat. It's the craziest of all the crazy Christmas specials! posted over a year ago.

	buddah1123 said: i just got here today and have been on this website all day. i love it. all the old classics. a few technical problems but nothing serious. Love it! posted over a year ago.

	Diva said: Thank you so much for this! I have been in heaven watching all the oldies. You did a great job. If you happen to come across Married With Children Christmas special starring Sam Kinison I would love to see it! :) posted over a year ago.

	daveward said: Steve Martin's "A Christmas Wish" sketch from Saturday Night Live -- truly a classic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVNMVGeffAWY posted over a year ago.

	bellamama said: Where's the Little Drummer Boy?? Stop motion at it's catchy-song, adorable best, no? posted over a year ago.

	noran said: I born and raised on Chicagoland TV. You have to have Hardrock, Coco, and Joe, along with Here comes Suzy snowflake for this list to be really the top 100! My favorite christmas Cartoon is "the Snowman" when it first aired on Cable, it was introduced by David Bowie, as if it was a story from his childhood. All music, no words, simply amazing. Merry christmas to all. Thank you for the list! posted over a year ago.

	jlg said: Enjoy this moving and poignant holiday short film. Remember when there used to be snow in December in NYC? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nJ1kciHHHfQ posted over a year ago.

	aquamarathon said: How about anything from Saturday Night Live? There must be plenty of Christmas sketches. I watched the "Star Wars Holiday Special." Truly horrifyingly BAD. It reminds me of Crofts Bros TV shows, ONLY WORSE. posted over a year ago.

	kris3185 said: ok this is a great list... but does anyone know where i can find "A very Brady Christmas" I know it is very cheesy but i love it and can't find it anywhere? posted over a year ago.

	SavageWit said: This list ROCKS! There is only one classic (Essential) that seems to be conspicuous by its absence - the 1951 "Scrooge" A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim. It's brilliant. It is the standard by which ALL other "A Christmas Carol"s are measured. Once you see Alistair Sim as Scrooge, you'll never be able to imagine anyone else in the role. posted over a year ago.

	henren8341 said: Brilliant list!! There is one cartoon that I've searched for but have yet to find. "The Tiny Tree" was shown on NBC many years ago and it's a sweet toon. I hope that maybe someday someone will find it and post it. posted over a year ago.

	icemaiden said: What a fab site. Having had a miserable Christmas without the coca cola truck advert I was delighted to find it here. Any chance you could find the Family Circus Christms Special? Keep up the good work and truely great site. Here's to lots of new entries for this year posted over a year ago.

	captkirkyota said: Hey, I thought I saw on here at one time links to other classic cartoons, like George of the Jungle, Tom Slick, Heckle and Jeckle, Tarzan Lord of the Jungle, ABC's school house rock commercials Rikki Tikki Tavey and the like. I can't find it here nor did google turn up anything but endless pages of pay for it stuff. I know I watched George of the Jungle and some Popeye for free somewhere, I thought it to be here. So anyone know where I can? I'd like to show my 5 year olds some cool old cartoons there Daddy watched back in the 70's and 80's. Thanks. Kirk. posted over a year ago.

	MarianBlack said: "Where is the stop-motion animation "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" based on the story by L. Frank Baum? This is my all-time favorite Christmas special because of its bizarre pagan idea of Claus being a foundling raised by fairies and a she-lion in a magical forest. I think it was made in the early 80's, and it's been revived on the Family Channel's run of Christmas specials, and yet I swear I am the only person to have ever seen it. There are even terrible "Where the Wild Things Are" style monsters that steal all the toys, and a fabulous song about a little black cat. It's the craziest of all the crazy Christmas specials!" HOLY CRAP I LOVE YOU!!! I've been trying to find the name of the special all night. I grew up with it, and it's my favorite. I was trying to tell my husband about it, and he thinks I made it up. I am always singing those songs to myself. "A little black cat with yellow green eyes... yellow green eyes!" Thank you so much for commenting about this! posted over a year ago.

	fir3g0d said: BEFORE ANYTHING,I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS IS AWESUME . . O AVID BELIVER IN SANTA =) BUT SOME OF THE LINKS ARE BROKEN =( SPONGEBOB ONE OF THEM AN I THINK THAT THE HOME ALONES SHOULD BE ADDED AH YES THE LIFE AN ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS..... LOVE IT! posted over a year ago. last edited over a year ago

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Watch 101 Classic Christmas Videos Online

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