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Making a (Must-See TV) List, and Checking it Twice

December 6, 2013 By Lena

If I sit back and think of my parenting style, the words “unapologetically old-school” come to mind. You see, I’m a firm believer that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and both my husband and I somehow survived 30+ years with simple little things like good values, respect for elders, and a fear of God.

So, I’ve adopted that parenting style when it comes to my own kids, and hence, they receive a small glass of pop at parties, copious amounts of outdoor play, and a swat on the behind if they do something with malice or wrongful intent. And during the holiday season, it means they’re allowed unrestricted time in front of the tube to indulge in holiday specials.

Thinking back to my own upbringing, I fondly remember my mom creating Christmas goodies while my brother and I camped in front of the TV. Back in the day, in addition to the classics like Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town! and The Year Without a Santa Claus, it was also the cartoon specials such as A Garfield Christmas Special, The Smurfs Christmas Special and Care Bears Nutcracker Suite that filled us with good cheer. Today, my boys wait in anticipation for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, Tickety Toc Christmas Special and A Very McStuffins Christmas.

And as a #DisneyJuniorMom, I’m pleased to share with you their holiday programming schedule!

Disney Junior will be filled with the excitement of the holidays, with many new holiday-themed episodes, movies and specials! Highlights include:

– Every weeknight at 6pm ET from December 2nd to 24th, families can enjoy holiday episodes and specials.

– Sunday,December 8th at 10:30am ET, be sure not to miss Mickey’sMagical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse. In this special, extended episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mickey and the gang throw a party to help Donald get into the holiday spirit, after a snowstorm leaves them stranded in The House of Mouse. The magical episode features extra-special guest appearances by favourite Disney characters including Snow White, Aladdin, Winnie the Pooh and many more!

– All day on Christmas Day from 6am ET until 11pm ET, enjoy holiday movies,episodes and specials.

During the holidays, my husband and I *conveniently* forget about “Disney Junior On Demand” and “PVR”. You see, we want the boys to experience the same sense of anticipation and contentment as we did, years ago: scrolling through the guide, finding the holiday specials, writing down the show times and keeping an eye on the clock. It’s a small tradition, but one we’re happy to carry out – although we sorely miss the printed TV guide! There’s nothing to circle when all the guides are on-screen!

What were some of your favourite television holiday specials growing up?

I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program andI receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group.
The opinions on this blog are my own. 

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #DisneyJuniorMom, Disney Junior Holiday Schedule

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AC

    December 7, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    TV guide, holiday specials…good times! You’ve listed some classics, especially The Year Without A Santa Claus with Heat and Snow Miser. Too much! |-) Some of my other favourites were Home Alone (Harry and Marv cracked me up), Mickey’s Christmas Carol and Scrooged. Happy holidays!!

  2. Lena

    December 7, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    You know what? I was just thinking today that I’ve never seen Home Alone! Must change that this season!

  3. Tracy

    December 7, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    I could not wait for The Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year specials. Christmas season didn’t fully begin until they came on tv.

    • Lena

      December 8, 2013 at 9:31 pm

      All great picks, Tracy! Totally agree that the season officially begins when the shows come on!

  4. Holly

    December 8, 2013 at 1:32 am

    Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and A Charlie Brown Christmas were my favourites! I still watch them every year :)

    • Lena

      December 8, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      I’m trying to introduce my boys to my favourites, since I still watch them too!

  5. Nicole W.

    December 8, 2013 at 3:14 am

    How have you not seen Home Alone!? It’s amazing! Well, the first two are, with Macaulay Culkin. :) My faves growing up were Rudolph, The Grinch (cartoon), and Charlie Brown. Now my absolute favourite is Elf!

    • Lena

      December 8, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      I know Nicole! I totally have to change that :) I heard it’s a great movie!

  6. MrDisco

    December 8, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I love the classic Frosty and Rudolph specials!

    • Lena

      December 8, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Yup, they’re awesome!

  7. Flora M

    December 8, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was always watched and when they came out with Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, that was added to the lineup. The Muppets Christmas Carol and their Christmas specials (loved the one with John Denver in it) were also regular fare :o) Now I tune in to catch the Alastair Sim version of Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), It’s a Wonderful Life and of course laugh at the antics in Scrooged with Bill Murray and Carol Kane.

    • Lena

      December 8, 2013 at 9:34 pm

      Totally forgot about The Muppets Christmas Carol – it’s one of my faves, too!

  8. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    December 9, 2013 at 12:31 am

    I love all the classics – Frosty, Rudolph, Charlie Brown…even as an adult I still enjoy taking time around the holidays to enjoy all the Christmas shows!

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 3:58 pm

      Me too, Judy!

  9. Matthew Tully

    December 10, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Whatever happened to THE VELVETEEN RABBIT? That was a yearly rave for me when I was very young…not sure if anyone remembers it.

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      I remember it! And you’re right… it kind of disappeared, didn’t it?

  10. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    December 11, 2013 at 6:44 am

    I know practically know every line in the movie “Elf” such a good movie.

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      I LOVE Elf!!!

  11. NT

    December 11, 2013 at 9:16 am

    I’m a sucker for ALL Christmas specials, from all the classic cartoons already mentioned, to old movies like Its a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th St. And Sound of Music is on every year! Love the new stuff too like Kung Fu Panda Holiday.

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Sound of Music = EPIC.

  12. Stephanie S.

    December 11, 2013 at 11:10 am

    My daughter LOVES mickey mouse once upon a christmas & mickey mouse twice upon a christmas!! :) I just love all the christmas movies showing! i record them all so we can watch them over & over on PVR. LOL

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:00 pm

      Love that! It’s such a happy time of year!

  13. Victoria Ess

    December 16, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I love that you two “forget” about PVR and OnDemand. I remember that I loved waiting in anticipation for shows when I was a kid.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Me too! I think that’s what makes it fun!

  14. loriag

    December 20, 2013 at 9:19 am

    The Grinch was always the show I remember planning to see every Christmas. I must admit, we don’t watch the classics like we use to.

    • Lena

      December 22, 2013 at 9:55 am

      You’ll just have to change that!

  15. MrDisco

    January 2, 2014 at 2:02 am

    The Peanuts holiday specials were always a staple for me

  16. kathy downey

    March 20, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Frosty the Snowman,and A Charlie Brown Christmas were my favourites growing up and i still watch them every year.It brings i warm feeling to enjoy them again.

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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