6 Forgotten Christmas TV Specials That Time Erased
Remember when families gathered around the TV to watch holiday specials that filled homes with magic and wonder?
Many classic Christmas shows have faded into the dusty corners of television history, replaced by newer productions and streaming favorites.
Before Frosty and Rudolph became household names forever, dozens of other specials tried to capture our hearts but somehow slipped through the cracks of time.
1. Jack Frost
What happens when an immortal winter sprite falls head over heels for a human girl?
Jack Frost faces this exact dilemma in this 1979 Rankin/Bass special that blends romance with folklore.
He makes a deal to become human for one winter, hoping to win her heart before spring arrives.
Though it features gorgeous stop-motion animation and catchy songs, this special somehow vanished from holiday rotations.
If you love fairy tales with a frosty twist, tracking down this forgotten gem is absolutely worth the effort.
2. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year
Everyone knows Rudolph saved Christmas, but did you know he also rescued New Year’s Eve?
In this 1976 sequel, Rudolph searches for Happy, a runaway Baby New Year with gigantic ears.
If Happy isn’t found by midnight, time itself will freeze and the new year will never begin.
Strange new characters like Father Time and prehistoric creatures join Rudolph on this wild adventure.
Despite being a direct follow-up to the most famous reindeer ever, this special barely gets mentioned anymore.
3. The Little Drummer Boy Book II
Few people realize the Little Drummer Boy got a sequel that’s just as magical as the original.
Aaron, the drummer boy, sets out on another adventure in this 1976 follow-up to help silver bells ring again.
When evil forces steal the bells from Bethlehem, Aaron and his animal friends must recover them before it’s too late.
Zero Mostel voices the villain in this lesser-known Rankin/Bass creation that deserves way more recognition.
If you loved the first special, hunting down this sequel will feel like discovering buried treasure.
4. The Stingiest Man In Town
Charles Dickens’ Scrooge has been adapted countless times, but this 1978 version stands uniquely apart.
Rankin/Bass took their signature animation style and applied it to the classic tale with musical numbers throughout.
Walter Matthau narrates while Tom Bosley voices the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge learning his harsh lessons.
Though the story remains timeless, this particular adaptation somehow got buried under dozens of other Christmas Carol versions.
Collectors of vintage holiday specials consider this a must-watch, yet mainstream audiences have completely forgotten its existence.
5. The Life And Adventures Of Santa Claus
Ever wonder how Santa actually became Santa in the first place?
This 1985 Rankin/Bass special explores Santa’s origin story based on L. Frank Baum’s lesser-known novel.
Baby Claus gets adopted by magical forest creatures who raise him to become the gift-giving legend we know today.
Unlike their other productions, this one features traditional animation instead of stop-motion, giving it a completely different vibe.
Unfortunately, it aired during a time when holiday special fatigue was setting in, causing it to disappear almost immediately.
6. The Cricket On The Hearth
Charles Dickens wrote more than just A Christmas Carol, including this forgotten holiday tale from 1845.
Rankin/Bass adapted it in 1967 with stop-motion animation featuring a magical cricket who brings hope to struggling families.
Danny Thomas, Marlo Thomas, and Roddy McDowall lent their voices to this charming but overlooked special.
Though it predates many of their more famous productions, it showcases the studio’s early brilliance perfectly.
Tracking down a copy today requires serious detective work since it rarely airs anywhere anymore.
