What To Watch When You’re Waiting For Santa

Cozy up to Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and classic holiday song and dance numbers while you’re waiting for morning to come. You might not be able to sleep, but you can still dream of that White Christmas. [Watch White Christmas]

So, remember how we said some of these titles were just weird? In the 1950s, before he was better known for what went on Behind The Candelabra, Liberace was a dapper entertainer and “ladies man.” Don’t believe us? At least one woman shows up in this holiday special and it comes with a bonus Mother’s Day special. [Watch Liberace’s Christmas Special]

Spend the night before Christmas singing along with Kermit about how there’s only “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas.” Also, rage silently that you can’t go to the penguin’s annual skating party in real life.  [Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol]

 

Every year, millions of tourists visit New York City to take in the sights, check out the holiday lights, and see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Believe me, that number really is in the millions. I have to walk through the throngs of them outside Radio City Music Hall every day to get my lunch. Anyway, you can save the airfare and skip the expensive trip by watching The Radio City Christmas Spectacular on Netflix. It’s just like being there in person — except you’re not in my way! [Watch The Radio City Christmas Spectacular]

This is a real thing that exists and you can stream it. He-Man and She-Ra have to manage celebrating the holidays while saving a couple of kids from the machinations of Skeletor. This totally ’80s special also features this amazing line of dialogue: “I think you’re feeling the Christmas spirit, Skeletor.” [Watch He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special]

Before Toy Story, there was Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy. Rugby is the most popular toy in the playroom, but his status is put into jeopardy when he learns that a new “Christmas Toy” might show up and steal his thunder. So, naturally, he conspires to sneak down under the tree so that he’ll be the Christmas Toy again. The problem? If he’s caught, he’ll be frozen forever. So, yeah, it’s a darker, weirder Toy Story, but one that I personally loved as a girl. [Watch The Christmas Toy]

The Nutcracker is a holiday staple and this 1993 film adaptation boasts a young Macaulay Culkin and the choreography of George Balanchine. And if you do happen to doze off, you’ll have that sweet Tchaikovsky score to lull you off to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy in your dreams. [Watch George Balanchine’s Nutcracker]

Shh… Don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone that you watched this. And let’s face it. That Buble can croon. [Watch Michael Buble’s Christmas In New York]

If you’re looking for something a little less warm and fuzzy, and more “timey-wimey,” you can marathon the Doctor Who Christmas specials. They’re all big, bombastic stories that feature major casting shake ups, crazy villains, or internationally famous guest stars. Yes, that is Kylie Minogue wearing a French maid’s costume on a space Titanic. Yes, it does make sense in context. [Watch The Doctor Who Christmas Specials]

Let’s be real: if there’s one Christmas song that we all want to listen to again and again, it’s Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” You could watch all of Love Actually just to get to the school pageant part, or you could just watch the music video again and again on YouTube. We’re not saying it’s the best viewing choice, but it’s the one you actually want.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY]

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