In Search of Classic Christmas TV

One of the best things about growing up in the 60s and 70s was watching the holiday episodes of our favorite weekly TV shows. In the 1990s many of these episodes were replayed each year on “Nick at Night’s” annual “Merrython” which aired each December. I recorded a lot of those old shows onto VHS tapes which I still have and which I cherish despite the poor quality of the recordings. I have also spent years searching out and trying to buy my favorite Christmas shows. They are available but they are difficult to find and most of the best ones are not available in a collection and must be purchased as part of a season series. Nevertheless, here is a list of some of my favorites.

Merry Sitcom! Christmas Classics from TV’s Golden Age is a collection that includes Christmas episodes of

There are a couple more companion DVD collections which can be purchased separately or as a two DVD set. Holiday Treats includes

I found and purchased  Lassie’s Christmas Stories and Lassie’s Gift of Love which conveniently collects all of the Lassie Christmas episodes onto 2 DVDs.

TV Guide Spotlight: TV’s Merriest Holiday Episodes includes holiday episodes of Bewitched – The Flying Nun – The Partridge Family – Roseanne – The Cosby Show – Married With Children – 3rd Rock From The Sun – The Ellen Show – Just Shoot Me – The Nanny – NewsRadio – That ’70s Show.

Holiday TV Classics: 49 Classic TV Episodes includes older holiday episodes from Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, the Beverly Hillbillies, and Ozzie and Harriet. There is a lot of other stuff on this DVD also which may or may not appeal to you.

I just recently found Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet – Christmas Collection which is said to contain eight episodes.

Now on DVD is an old favorite The Andy Griffith Show: Christmas Special. For as long as this series ran I am surprised that there is only one Christmas episode. That one episode however, is one of my favorites.

it’s also possible to purchase individual episodes of:

The I Love Lucy Christmas Special – Colorized For Kids of All Ages

Dick Van Dyke Show: Classic Christmas

Honeymooners Holiday Classics

The Bob Newhart Show Special Christmas Addition

Newhart Special Christmas Edition: No Room at the Inn / The Prodigal Darryl

The Carol Burnett Show: Christmas with Carol

And who could forget these favorite old variety specials?

Bing Crosby: The Television Specials – Volume 2: The Christmas Specials 

Dean Martin Christmas

Perry Como’s Christmas show

Andy Williams: The Best of Andy Williams’ Christmas

The Andy Williams Christmas Show (Live from Branson)

 There are many more of these old classics on DVD. The quality varies, but keep in mind that the original quality wasn’t all that great. Like me, you’ll love some of them and you will hate others. But when you find a good one it’s bound to bring back many Christmas memories.