There are certainly lots of other things you've got to do this weekend — shop, cook, decorate, spend time with family — but at some point you're going to sit down in front of the TV.
And here are 11 Christmas-related things worth watching:
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" • Rudolph, Charlie Brown and the Grinch have higher profiles, but this 1970 musical special is right up there with them. (5:35 p.m. Friday, 12:15 p.m. Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Freeform)
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" • This 1966 animated special (not the inferior 2000 movie), in its own weird way, teaches that Christmas is about more than just presents. (7 p.m. Friday, NBC/Ch. 5)
"The Simpsons" Christmas Episodes • Some of the series' best outings are holiday themed — from the very first, 1989's "Simpsons Roasting On an Open Fire" (5 p.m. Sunday, FXX), to the 606th and most recent, "The Nightmare After Krustmas" (7 p.m. Sunday, Fox/Ch. 13). Others, all showing on FXX, include 1997's "Miracle on Evergreen Terrace" (tonight at 9), 1999's "Grift of the Magi" (tonight, 9:30), 2000's "Skinner's Sense of Snow" (tonight, 10:30), 2003's " 'Tis the 15th Season (tonight, 11), 2013's "White Christmas Blues" (tonight, 11:30), 1995's "Marge Be Not Proud" (5:30 p.m. Sunday), 2001's "She of Little Faith" (6 p.m. Sunday), 2005's "Simpsons Christmas Stories" (6:30 p.m. Sunday), 2006's "Kill Gil, Volumes 1 & 2" (7 p.m. Sunday), 2010's "The Fight Before Christmas" (7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2011's "Holidays of Future Passed" (8 p.m. Sunday) and 2014's "I Won't Be Home for Christmas" (8:30 p.m. Sunday).
"A Christmas Carol" • This 1984 version, starring George C. Scott, is one of the best. (Noon Saturday, AMC; 2 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Sundance)
"A Christmas Story" • The 24-hour marathon of this 1983 movie has become a TV tradition. (6 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday, TBS and TNT)
"Elf" • Will Ferrell is great in this delightful 2003 movie. (8:40 p.m. Saturday; 6:40 p.m. Sunday, FreeForm.)
"It's a Wonderful Life" • There's nothing more traditional than this 1946 classic. (7 p.m. Saturday, NBC/Ch. 5)
"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" • This 1989 movie has become rather dated. But that's part of its charm. (10:45 p.m. Saturday; 8:45 p.m. Sunday, Freeform)
"The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration" • It's fun — and a good way to pass time while you're waiting for relatives to show up and open gifts. (9 a.m. Sunday, ABC/Ch. 4)
"Miracle on 34th Street" • For my money, this is the best Christmas movie ever. The 1947 version — not the terrible 1994 remake. (9 a.m. Sunday, HBO)
"Doctor Who Christmas Special" • The Doctor teams up with a superhero. (10 p.m. Sunday, BBC America).
Scott D. Pierce covers TV for The Salt Lake Tribune. Email him at spierce@sltrib.com; follow him on Twitter @ScottDPierce.
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: Cast -- NBC Photo
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION -- NBC Theatrical -- Pictured: Chevy Chase as Clark Wilhelm Griswold, Jr. -- Warner Bros. photo
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