Some people wait all year to watch Frosty or Rudolph. Others look forward to the Grinch. (Okay, I like that one, too.) But my favorite Christmas special is A Claymation Christmas Celebration starring the California Raisins.
I’ve found that when I talk about this holiday musical delight, most people haven’t seen or even heard of it. For those unfortunate folks, you’re in luck today. You can buy the video on Amazon here, or you can check out my favorite songs below:
We Three Kings
Carol of the Bells
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (by the Raisins themselves)
What’s your favorite Christmas special?
Wow. Never seen or heard of that one! (and I haven’t watched the videos yet b/c I’m at work, but don’t worry; I will;)
I think my favorites are ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Christmas Vacation’ (which I bought for $5.98 on Black Friday — yay!:)… but I also like ‘All I Want for Christmas,’ which I don’t think many people have heard of and is pretty cheesy. Oh well. Lots of Christmas movies are cheesy, aren’t they? ;) Oh, and I also like Home Alone. Great music on that one too! :) And I don’t think I’ve seen ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ in its entirety so I should do that. I’m sure I’d like it. :)
I was all set to not comment on your posts for a while since you can always predict what I’m going to say, but I couldn’t help it. Sigh… I guess I’m addicted to commenting.
I’ve never heard of it either…
Charlie Brown Christmas is definitely the best :-D. I always get teary eyed at the Christmas tree all decorated…
Chelley, would you believe I’ve never seen A Christmas Story?! I don’t like Home Alone (or any movies with obnoxious kids, really), but I love Christmas Vacation (yay for $5.98!).
But hey, don’t be a party pooper. I never said I can predict all your comments. I just knew out of all my thousands (ha!) of readers, you might not be one to play along with my 10 things quiz. Would you rather I DIDN’T know you so well?
See, that was my point — you know me too well; how can I tell you 10 new things about myself?? :P
That’s too bad you haven’t seen ‘A Christmas Story,’ although you might not like it because it’s about kids, and you could probably argue they’re obnoxious at times. :) But I think it’s hilarious. :D You should probably be able to find it on TV sometime though, at least if you have cable. Unlike your favorite — it’s never on TV, is it?? Or maybe I just never noticed it… ;)
Muppet Family Christmas!!
Christmas Vacation, Elf and White Christmas are also standards around here. Oh, and Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas. I was just about to post about this list.
But you have answered a long-outstanding question at my house and that is: “Why does my family have a California Raisin wearing Christmas attire?” Because we have one.
Glad to help, Amy. :) I love Elf, too. And Holiday Inn – where the original White Christmas appeared!
Okay, how weird is this, everyone? I was on Facebook tonight and my brother IM’d me – and told me he’s watching the Claymation Christmas special right now! Crazy, right?
amy – do you mean the muppet family Christmas where they all go to fozzie’s mom’s house? i didn’t know anyone else remembered that one! for years, it was the show i’d watch while wrapping presents, but then, two years ago, i accidentally taped over it. do you know if it’s out on dvd?
i love muppet family Christmas! why don’t they show that one anymore?
and photo and chelley, i am absolutely shocked at your lack of christmas story and charlie brown-ness. are you sure you’re american?
i’d have to say charlie brown, with the grinch a close second. (and, side note – the jim carey grinch is NOT the grinch. not even remotely close. it’s a travesty.)
Mel, I love Peanuts holiday specials! But Charlie Brown just isn’t my favorite! And I haven’t even see the Jim Carrey Grinch – I say why mess with greatness?
Photoqueen…this is one of my absolute FAVES! We had a really bad quality videotape of it growing up, and we watched it at least 15 times a year (which may have been the reason for the poor quality). It is AWESOME.
I like all the other Christmas specials discussed here as well, except for anything with Chevy Chase in it. (We weren’t allowed to watch movies with him in them when we were little!)
oops – sorry guys. i’m celeste. wrong blog account.
Oh, I wondered. What a lovely name, Celeste! ;)
Amy, that’s too funny about your raisin! :))
And Photo, I just watched your clips. Very entertaining. Especially the Carol of the Bells (but I didn’t get the comment at the end — who’s the conductor supposed to look like?), but the Raisins kind of creeped me out a little, to be honest. I mean, they were cool, but also a little creepy.
Celeste & Melilot – YES, that is the one! It's out of print, and not on DVD. We have a VHS of it. It's so fantastic.
i just found the muppets on youtube! (in 4 parts or something like that) but i haven’t watched it cuz of that whole dial-up thing. you’ll have to try it and let me know. :)