You can't watch every Christmas special that's on TV. You'd have to quit your job and abandon your family to do that.
On the other hand, it just wouldn't be Christmas without watching some of the holiday classics.
Here, in alphabetical order, is a list of a dozen classic Christmas TV specials and movies not to miss. And you can watch them the old-fashioned way — on TV. (Although they're all also available on DVD and many on Blu-ray.)
1. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965) • This perfect mix of charm and heart may just be the best holiday special ever. (Tuesday and Sunday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4)
2. "A Christmas Story" (1983) • How many times can you watch it during the annual 24-hour marathon? (Wednesday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m.-Thursday, Dec. 25, 6 p.m., TBS)
3. "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (1966) • It will touch your heart when the spirit of Christmas makes the Grinch's heart grow three sizes. Watch the animated special; ignore the 2000 movie. (Thursday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4)
4. "Elf" (2003) • Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel are almost too adorable to believe. (Monday, 6 and 9 p.m.; Tuesday, 4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 19, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 25, 5 p.m., ABC Family)
5. "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) • Who doesn't love Jimmy Stewart? (Saturday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5)
6. "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) • Make sure you watch the original — the one with Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, John Payne and Edmund Gwenn — not the inferior 1994 attempt at a remake. (Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 and 10:45 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 18, 9 and 11:15 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 22, 10 a.m., 2, 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 12:30 p.m., AMC)
7. "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" (1962) • An outstanding animated musical that holds up after more than half a century. (Friday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m., CW/Ch. 30)
8. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989) • Spend the holidays with the Griswolds. (Tonight at 8 and 11; Monday, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 11, 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 25, 3 p.m., ABC Family)
9. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964) • This holiday classic still charms a half-century after it first aired. (Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2)
10. "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (1970) • Great songs, great story, Fred Astaire narrates. (Monday, 3, 6 and 10 p.m.; Tuesday, 1 a.m.; Friday, 8:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 8, 10 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 22, 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 24, noon; ABC Family. Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4)
11. "A Very Brady Christmas" (1988) • Do you enjoy cheese at Christmas? Because there aren't many movies cheesier than this one. (Wednesday, 10 p.m., ABC Family)
12. "White Christmas" (1954) • Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen sing and dance up a storm. (Friday, Dec. 12, 7 and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 3 a.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 17, 9 and 11:45 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 23, 10:15 a.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 24, 3:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m., AMC)
spierce@sltrib.com
Twitter: @ScottDPierce
Courtesy photo The Grinch isn't exactly Scrooge, but there are definitely a lot of similarities.
| Courtesy Kris Kringle in "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town."
| Courtesy "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
| Courtesy Warner Bros. HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
| Courtesy Classic Media The cast of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" includes (clockwise from front and center) Rudolph, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius, Sam the Snowman, Santa Claus and an unidentified elf.
| Courtesy Classic Media Hermey and Rudolph become fast friends.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS - When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle; and when an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" airs on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (© 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc.)
ChristmasStory.jpg: Peter Billingsly plays Ralphie in the classic comedy movie, "A Christmas Story."
Enjoy wassail, waffles, tea and cookies during a free screening of the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story.” Courtesy photo
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE -- NBC Theatrical Movie -- Pictured: (l-r) Thomas Mitchell, Jimmy Stewart -- NBC Photo
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE -- NBC Theatrical Movie -- Pictured: Cast -- NBC Photo
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Image #WBHS-7898 Pictured: The Grinch Photo Credit: © Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.
CB_CHRISTMAS006 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas" - When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle; and when an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus' help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" airs on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (© 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc.)
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION -- NBC Theatrical -- Pictured: Chevy Chase as Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. -- Warner Bros. photo
“Santa Claus is Comin' to Town' airs on Thursday, Dec. 2, on ABC. Credit: Rankin/Bass Productions
"Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" was TV's first animated holiday special. Courtesy photo
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN - "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" airs on MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET/PT) on ABC. (RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS/ABC FAMILY) KRIS KRINGLE
A scene from "A Christmas Story."
Courtesy Paramount Bing Crosy, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen in "White Christmas."