A Little Christmas TV Cheer

By Josh Lasser on December 14, 2007 • ( 3 )

You know the wonderful thing about Christmas time? Do you know the thing that is truly fantastic about it? It's the Christmas television specials. The ones that air year after year after year. It doesn't matter how many times I see 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, there is something magical about it every single time.

In fact, I make a point every year of sitting down and watching a bunch of different Holiday movies. There are ones that I see every single year (The Muppet Christmas Carol) and others that appear in my viewing rotation less frequently (A Charlie Brown Christmas), but no matter which ones I watch, it helps instill the holiday spirit.

In recent years, many of these classic holiday specials (though neither of the two listed above) can be found in one place – on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. Sadly, we're about halfway through the 25 Days of Christmas fest, and some of the interesting things have passed. For instance, the premiere of the brand-new made-for-television movie Holiday in Handcuffs, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez aired on December 9, (but it does air again this Saturday night). I'll admit to not seeing it yet, but do plan on watching it this weekend. There is still one new made-for coming up, Snowglobe, starring Christina Milan, Lorraine Bracco, Josh Cooke, and Matt Keeslar. It's true that this doesn't have Clarissa explaining it all, but that doesn't mean that it can't be fun.

There is still a bunch of Dr. Seuss to come (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Cat in the Hat, and The Lorax). Then, on 12/24, the day before Christmas, ABC Family will be airing a marathon of classic Christmas specials (including stuff like my aforementioned favorite, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas).

I can't tell you that everything that airs on the ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas is as good as you remember it, nor can I tell you why exactly the Harry Potter films are a part of the festivities. However, it is a virtual certainty that you've watched at least one of the shows ABC Family has seen before, and I hereby declare you a Grinch if you don't like Snow Miser and Heat Miser (The Year Without a Santa Claus).

The fest is also missing things like the greatest Christmas movie of all time, but I guess you can't have everything. Anyways, there's still good stuff to be found, check your local listings to find out when your favorites are on.