December 1 – It’s Christmastime Again Charlie Brown
While A Charlie Brown Christmas gets all the hype in terms of Charles Schulz’s holiday specials, and rightfully so, It’s Christmastime Again Charlie Brown isn’t all that far behind. First releasing in 1992, the special isn’t often shown on the air anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less worth your while.
It touches on the commercialism of the holiday again, as Charlie Brown sells Christmas wreaths and Sally comes to the conclusion that the holiday is about “getting all you can get while the getting is good,” but perhaps most enjoyable are the scenes of Snoopy and his feathered friends. They dance around with their candy canes and top hats, epitomizing the joy of the season.
Grab your cardboard box and tumble down a hill, Christmas has begun.
December 2 – Mickey’s Christmas Carol
There have been countless tellings of A Christmas Carol, ranging from quite good to pretty bad, but in terms of animated versions, there isn’t any better than the Mouse House’s adaptation. Taking the classic Charles Dickens’ story and sticking some of the most iconic animated characters in the roles is almost a certain recipe for success, and this one definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Mickey takes on the role of Bob Cratchit, and Scrooge McDuck is perfect as Ebenezer Scrooge with his 80% interest, compounded daily. What I like most about this one is how accessible it makes one of the more complex and darker Christmas stories. It doesn’t come across as too childish for older viewers, but it’s great for the whole family, unlike many of the older adaptations.
December 3 – Home Alone
One of the most enjoyable comedic action movies ever, Home Alone is filled to every corner of every frame with Christmas decorations and the spirit of the season. There’s hardly a minute that goes by without some Christmas tune filling the background as Kevin McCallister fights to defend his house from the bumbling burglars who think that handling a kid his size should be no problem.
Macaulay Culkin’s character is living every kid’s dream, with a whole house to himself until those crooks show up. In terms of the actual plot of the movie, it definitely isn’t a traditional holiday film. Really though, John Hughes and Christmas is such a predictably perfect match that there was almost no way this one was going to go wrong – and it doesn’t, making for a must-watch film every single December.
December 4 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
Considering it’s a Halloween and Christmas movie moulded into one, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a solid way to bridge the gap between the two seasons. I usually watch it in November, and then again before Christmas, but it’s as good a choice as any for the first week of December.
Coming mostly from the mind of Tim Burton, the movie tells the story of Jack Skellington, the leader of Halloween Town, who accidentally opens a portal to Christmas Town and becomes enamored with the holiday, ultimately deciding that he wants to take part in it. Once thought to be too dark and scary for younger viewers because of the whole kidnapping Santa plan and tree-eating snakes, most critics have come to realize that it can work for all ages, and I definitely agree.
December 5 – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
Usually I would wait until a bit later on in the month to watch Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town, but considering it answers just about every question you could ever have about Christmas traditions and the season, I think it’s an important one to view early this year, though it’s totally acceptable if you want to watch it again closer to the 25th.
Narrated to perfection by Fred Astaire, this story picks up with a young St. Nick (voiced by Mickey Rooney) as he goes up against Burgermeister Meisterburger and Winter Warlock with the help of his trusty penguin friend. It’s the start of Christmas and Santa as we know it, and there hasn’t been a better origin story for the jolly man in the red suit since. This is one of my all-time favorite specials, and watching it in the first week of the month will definitely get you excited for a red sleigh to be headed your way.