Every year, the holiday season unfolds with plenty of familiar signifiers: Santa’s arrival in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the sounds of our favorite Christmas songs on the radio, and, if you’re lucky enough to live in a place where it happens, the magic of winter’s first snowfall.
But there’s one other crucial component of the holiday season that can’t be overstated: the holiday TV specials, both new and old, that make their way onto our screens.
Plenty of retro shows still air each year, never ceasing to induce feelings of comfort and nostalgia: Is it even Christmas until Charlie Brown picks the saddest-looking tree on the lot in 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas?
In addition to the animated classics, holiday-themed episodes of our favorite sitcoms are annual must-watches. Friends’ “Holiday Armadillo” episode hilariously tackles the trials of teaching kids about both Christmas and Hanukkah, while Seinfeld famously (or infamously?) invented a new holiday altogether: the now-iconic “Festivus.”
This collection of quotes from TV specials and episodes about Christmas and Hanukkah help illustrate the meaning of the season — or at the very least, demonstrate the joy this time of year can bring.
Frosty's not gone for good. You see, he was made out of Christmas snow, and Christmas snow can never disappear completely.Santa Claus (Paul Frees) in “Frosty the Snowman,” 1969
Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem … Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.Linus Van Pelt (Christopher Shea) in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 1965
Goodbye, Cornelius. I hope you find lots of tinsel. Goodbye, Hermey. Whatever a dentist is, I hope someday that you’re the greatest.Rudolph (Billie Mae Richards) in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” 1964
Welcome, newcomers. The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. I got a lot of problems with you people! And now you're gonna hear about it!Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) in “Seinfeld” (“The Strike”), 1997
It's not just presents and you know it. What about all that Christmas spirit and goodwill?Mrs. Claus (Shirley Booth) in “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” 1974
I love Valentine's Day and the Fourth of July, I'm a little bit sad when Halloween has gone by, I'm thankful Thanksgiving comes around in the fall, but I've always loved Christmas the best of them all.Olive (Drew Barrymore) in “Olive the Other Reindeer,” 1999
A menorah is, uh, like the night-light of our people. In times of darkness it shines on the whole world, reminding us not to be afraid to be different, but to be proud of who we are.Shlomo (Fyvush Finkel) in “A Rugrats Chanukah,” 1996
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”Narrator (Boris Karloff) in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” 1966
What would happen if we all tried to be like Santa and learned to give as only he can give: of ourselves, our talents, our love, and our hearts? … Maybe there would finally be peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.S.D. Kluger (Fred Astaire) in "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," 1970
What’s this world coming to, Cratchit? You work all your life to get money, then people want you to give it away.Scrooge (Alan Young) in “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” 1983
You don't know as much as you think because you only think with your head. So you have a lot of trouble believing in things you can't see or touch.Father Mouse (George Gobel) in “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” 1974
You forgot the part where Aquaman swam to Egypt and parted the Red Sea with his fish friends and Moses, the porpoise.Albert “Pops” Solomon (George Segal) in “The Goldbergs” (“A Christmas Story”), 2015
If Santa and the Holiday Armadillo stay in the same room for too long, the universe will implode.Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) in “Friends” (“The One With the Holiday Armadillo”), 2000
Peace on Earth. Give me presents!Animal (Frank Oz) in “A Muppet Family Christmas,” 1987
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