2024 Christmas Calendar

Happy Iron Bowl Saturday!!!!! So no matter who wins today we are all winners cause we can start planning our holiday watch lists as Dec. 1^st is literally tomorrow. How on Earth does that happen every year like literal clockwork but still sneak up on me?! Sigh. I am ahead of the game tho cause I’ve bought several presents already ….. none are wrapped oh no that’s future Marcy’s problem but they are at least purchased and in the house. So go past Marcy !

I may have re-found my mojo … or at least my typical websites that I check were more on the ball this year than last year. Maybe I was in a better mood … or maybe I started it earlier than last year .. who knows…I totes started it earlier than I did last year but the procrastinator in me refuses to believe that was helpful. I’ll be honest. This time last year I didn’t think I’d still be doing this calendar, but it lives, and you know this cause you are reading these words! It was harder this year to find the new stuff that these networks are showing, but I think I captured most if not all of them. It was weird like if they premiered in November they didn’t want to talk about them airing again in December like it was some big secret on when it would air again. It’s not that deep Hallmark why you gotta make everything so difficult, looking at you too Lifetime don’t think you are getting off easy on this one!

This calendar is crammed tight with nostalgia, new offerings, and remixes of old fun family favorites told in what they hope is a new and “interesting” way…spoiler alert it’s usually not. Speaking of “interesting way” if you haven’t seen Red One rush to the theater, grab some popcorn and sit back for a very enjoyable time. I’m not sure it’s child friendly (cause language), but it is a good time and at least it’s an “original” idea for the holidays. Oh, and there’s snarky Chris Evans and The Rock, who is beyond done with the Snarky Chris Evans, which makes for a fun and enjoyable time even without the Crimmus theme. By the way … THAT … is how holiday fun should be, not a shot by shot remake or a word by word remake…. Yeah I’m looking at you Grinch… oh and don’t give the main character a new backstory that’s just lazy.

To prove my point, I present you with this …. there’s Hallmark Channels 2024 “Countdown to Christmas” which I believe started a few days after New Years and is replacing their regular line up of, and I kid you not, Christmas in July or some jazz like that (honestly I can’t make this stuff up guys) …. Then there’s UPtv’s “Uplifting Christmas” with over 600 hours of holiday cheer (yet oddly didn’t really make my calendar cause I don’t get that channel anymore *sad face* and as I have said on numerous occasions this is all about me and I’m just sharing the fun (I think even Hallmark said sit down UPtv that’s too much) …. Then there’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” on well…Lifetime (but ironically they aren’t showing It’s A Wonderful Life .. which is a missed opportunity IMO. I guess NBC said nah but E! and you USA … go nuts! …rolls eyes so hard) …. you can also find the “The Best Christmas Ever” on AMC with an amazing nod to “adultier” holiday fun, “Nickmas” is on Nickelodeon and of course “25 Days of Christmas” on Freeform …the OG of Holiday fun. Not to mention all the streaming stuff cause well you have all heard my rant about that and I don’t think any of us have the energy to go through that again!

So, my point is the calendar is full … but there are days where it’s kind of light on offerings and those are the days you should go look at Crimmus Lights or wrap gifts or put up your tree, hek spend time with your family… maybe meet friends for dinner after work to catch up … I mean I can’t entertain you guys all month … you gotta bring something to the holiday table too. You might need a magnifying glass to read it but that’s why God invented the guy who created ZOOM. Am I right?! Of course I am. I tried to include as many new offerings as I could and yes sometimes a beloved had to go. Sorry Clark, but I mean there are plenty of other opportunities to watch Clark light up the house or read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas as Cousin Eddie comes up the walk with Clark’s boss so that Clark can tell him off for not giving him a Bonus. Really the only time in that movie that I get upset … Clark it’s a bonus not a guarantee it’s not your bosses fault that you overspent on crimmus! Geeze enjoy your fruit of the month and be happy you still have a job!  I always get a little angry when the guy gives in instead of firing him on the spot. Sorry but it’s true.

A few items of note because I don’t want you to miss these and that is the purpose after all…

·       CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute will air on Dec. 8^th  at 7. It’s always a great reminder that in the doom and gloom of the world there are people attempting to make things better for us and good for them. I’ve always enjoyed this special cause it does seem to reach out to so many different types of people in so many different places just trying to use their time on Earth in a good way. 

·       Kennedy Center Honors will air on CBS Dec. 22^nd at 7:30 it’s another good program to remind you that there are very good humans in this world but this one leans more to the celebrity side while CNN’s version is more for the everyday man. This year’s honorees include Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and The Appollo (that’s right even buildings get love at the Kennedy Center Honors) and will be hosted by my Queen …. Dana Owens.

·       CBS is airing the “Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas” on Dec 19^th at 8 (central). They will also air a Josh Groban and Friends go home for the Holidays on Dec. 20^th at 8 (central), right after the National Tree Lighting special (is it not a little late for that CBS?!). Of Course these are all on CBS. Both of which have really stupid long names and thus they didn’t make the calendar but something you all might be interested in…if not keep walking.

·       NEW Shows for the Win! As stated, there are several new items on the calendar, I haven’t watched them, but I am interested in many of them cause well at least they are new. I like new. I like original. Do some research before you put Billy in front of the TV with popcorn or plop little Bailey down in your lap for something that you then decide is inappropriate …that’s not my mess. Take it up with your facebook friends on how horrible it is so they can justify themselves as well by sharing in your fake outrage. Or just take it for what it is .. a lesson learned for both you and your offspring crank up Disney+ and move on with your life. You are welcome!

·       TBS, Hallmark, and TNT started their holiday playlist in November. However, they do have enough classics in their lineups to calm me down some so I’ll let it go and not blacklist them like that other network. I would hate to interrupt their nightly Big Bang Theory marathons for something as silly as Crimmus, no seriously we all need to watch Sheldon explain his spot one more time please and thank you. Don’t worry tho the Christmas Day Marathon of A Christmas Story is still on the schedule for TBS so all is not lost, and as long as they keep doing that I’ll keep a soft spot in my heart for them. But I’m side eyeing them real hard.

·       As always if you are looking for something to throw the littles in front of while you wrap gifts, bake, shop online, drink a glass or three of wine, scroll on your phone, or just need a minute … Freeform is the place for you. Their love for Claymation is admirable and while not all the offerings are eyeball worthy they do have a very impressive lineup again this year. May we all bow to the awesome that is Freeform.

·       I’d like to point out the purpose of this calendar …. Jimmy Fallon’s “5 More Sleeps ‘Til X-mas” no longer comes on … or I couldn’t find it anywhere and I’m real good at this Calendar so I am going to say it’s not coming on. I think it aired what 2 maybe 3 years then poof it was gone! That’s how quick a beloved special goes from must watch TV (cause we are trying to help our Host sell books) to wait what was that? I am not a Jimmy Fallon fan but that was a cute special. Wish it had stuck around. While I’m at it what about Yes Virginia ….. I still can’t believe they took that one down …….. silly CBS….silly ABC…..silly NBC it’s like they just don’t care about Crimmus. I’m sure it’s on a streaming service somewhere….but again we won’t rant about that …again. This is how we save these specials tho by watching when they air. YES most of us have the DVDs and some even still have the DVD players but hit that DVR up when it comes on and let em know we want to see them. As long as we watch they will keep showing them.

·       Incase anyone is keeping score I’m still mad at Food Network so they can keep their holiday specials safely in November cause I’m not participating! PS I love Christmas Cookie Challenge or whatever it is called and it’s on repeat about 97,463,049,730,497,630,943,706 times a day so totally check it out between that and Diners Drive in and Dives. It’s madness what’s going on over there … madness … I tell you …. madness!

Now for …the rules. If you are an OG user of this calendar, feel free to skip ahead. If you are new to the party …. Well, you want to read on or face my wrath. Don’t make me hulk smash you cause I’ve been wanting to Hulk Smash something all year so I’m ready don’t come at me bro!

·       NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list, just let me know.

·       I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·       Late Hour Focus, but hour round fun. For you work from home people, stay at home mom’s, or employers who have access to good wifi ….  they run these specials all day long, and while my calendar focuses mainly on the after-work hour times since that is when I can watch (again see note about this being about me and my schedule not yours), fire it up as background noise for that meeting that you are totes paying attention to while you are on mute, or while you edit that really long annoying document that you have already edited several other times but it’s fine you’ll do it again. I also don’t list things if they are on at like 3am…. You insomniacs are on your own.

Much like the Halloween one ….. I have been doing this one for over 15 years now …. The goal is to set aside some time for the holiday cheer to enter your soul …. for those shows and stories we all grew up with to fill your heart with happiness … and most importantly to stop…breathe…take a minute … then jump back out there into the madness that is the holiday season. Teach the new generation that our generation was way better by making them watch the hour long Rudolph or watch them spaz out when Ralphie well you know. Then casually say, “hey isn’t that the guy from the Iron Man movies and watch them again think of what a smart person you are for recognizing him. IYKYK.

Merry Christmas to you all …. and I hope you each have a wonderful and safe New Years. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 for us all !

Marcy

2023 Christmas TV Calendar

 I have a confession ……… there’s too much Christmas … I mean honestly, everyone slow down. I can’t imagine as an actor how it feels to be all Christmasy in like February but then again they shoot Halloween Wars in January so BOOM take that Christmas! I’ve always wondered how they keep their pumpkins so fresh …. and how do they convince a farm to hold out that many pumpkins ?! Maybe they delay their planting and use greenhouses ….. wait … this one is about the big guy in the Red suit, the reindeer with the red nose, the snowman in a magic hat, the geeky mouse that broke the clock, and the poor 4 eyed kid in a pink bunny costume! In case you are living in a cave with no electricity it is already Christmas, or as my bestie calls it Crimmus. Not sure how that happened but calendars don’t lie ….. the clocks often do but calendars are always trustworthy. You could think it’s 3 but it’s actually 1 or worse it’s 7 … but even if you think it’s Tuesday and it’s actually Thursday well it will never NOT be Thursday it will always be the day it’s suppose to be. Every.Single.time. Trust me. It’s a thing! Wait … how did you get my calendar in your cave?!

I will admit that this one was easier than Halloween, but it usually is. It’s crammed tight with nostalgia, new offerings, and remixes of old fun family favorites told in what they hope is a new and “interesting” way…spoiler alert it’s usually not. By the way … THIS … is how holiday fun should be. Now I admit, Hallmark just went stupid, as they do every year, and started showing these things in like March. Truth is that I’m not even sure they have a time when they aren’t showing Christmas offerings. God love em they know their audience and they deliver the goods. I do admit hearing the Freddy Theme Song as you also hear Jingle Bells coming from the next room is a little discombobulating, yet…oddly comforting too. No bad Marcy …. This is about Crimmus not Halloween. Get it together!

To prove my point, I present you with this …. there’s Hallmark Channels 2023 “Countdown to Christmas” which I believe started a few days before Halloween ended and replaced their Christmas in July or some jazz like that …. there’s UPtv’s “Uplifting Christmas” with over 600 hours of holiday cheer (yet oddly didn’t really make my calendar cause I don’t get that channel anymore *sad face* … I think even Hallmark said sit down UPtv …. There’s “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” on well…Lifetime (come on guys some of these are easy) …. TBS is having a “Winter Break” …. you can find the “The Best Christmas Ever” on AMC, “Nickmas” is on Nickelodeon (Question…. how many Nicks are in the Nickelodeon theme song … asking for a friend… who is me – PS I say 7, if you say 8 we can’t be friends anymore, just kidding we totes can but you are wrong) and of course “25 Days of Christmas” on Freeform …the OG of Holiday fun. Not to mention all the streaming stuff cause well you have all heard my rant about that and I just don’t have the energy for that again.

So, my point is the calendar is full … it’s the fullest calendar I’ve done in years and frankly I really enjoyed it. You might need a magnifying glass to read it but that’s what ZOOM is for right?! Right?! I tried to include as many new offerings as I could and yes sometimes a beloved had to go. Sorry Clark! While Halloween was kind of a catastrophic failure on my part, I hope I have redeemed myself with this one. I know I have renewed my love for doing these so I am going to take that W.  

A few items of note because I don’t want you to miss these and that is the purpose after all…

·       TBS is airing the new A Christmas Story Christmas released on HBO/MAX last year!!!!!! Oh, Happy Day!!!!! Don’t worry tho the Christmas Day Marathon is still the original movie only, I checked! I mean they aren’t that insane. You don’t mess with tradition. But the fact that this one is now going to get to be watched by the masses makes me happy. They are showing equal love to the original but oddly the sequel from 2012 isn’t getting any love at all. If you have seen it you know why! Don’t yell at TED it’s not his fault. I have to warn you my mom finds A Christmas Story Christmas to be a bit depressing but what does mom know, well a lot but still it is a good movie. The gentle nod to the original, the returning original actors, a catch up of the characters and what they have been up to, a lot of love to the Old man and an original story all make up for the sadness. Give it a go let me know what you think cause I love it! Thanks Marvel for giving us back Ralphie! IYKYK

·       NEW Shows for the Win! As stated, there are several new items on the calendar, I haven’t watched them, but I am interested in many of them cause well at least they are new. I like new. I like original. I enjoy the old school seen it a thousand times, but will watch it again and again whenever it is on too but new … makes me giddy. Do some research before you put Sally in front of the TV with popcorn or plop little Bailey down in your lap for something that you deem inappropriate …that’s not my mess. Take it up with your facebook friends on how horrible it is so they can justify themselves as well by sharing in your fake outrage. Or just take it for what it is .. a lesson learned for both you and your offspring. You are welcome!

·       Speaking of Bailey …  God Love Hallmark for getting Scott Wolf and Lacy Chabert back together for a new Christmas movie called “A Merry Scottish Christmas” and no before you ask these two are not love interests, but are in fact playing siblings. I think they even realized how problematic that could be. I have seen it cause of course it premiered in November as part of their lead up to Christmas. I not only set my DVR but counted down the minutes until it started and I could wait 30 minutes or so in an effort to not have to watch commercials. I didn’t succeed. It’s good, predictable in a Hallmark movie kind of way but … good. I’d watch it again and I plan to. I am so excited about this movie, for many reasons that have little to do with the story line of said movie … so it’s getting a lot of love on this calendar and I’m not even going to apologize for it. Full disclosure … Don’t show up if you are expecting Bailey and Claudia (HEY Fox isn’t it time to find out what the Salinger clan has been up to all these years?). Bonus points if you catch the nod to their FOX show Party of Five. However, do show up if you still love Scott Wolf’s dimples, which I do, or like seeing Lacey’s doe eyed look every time those dimples are on display. If you haven’t seen Party of Five and are like what is this crazy lady talking about … I have all the episodes on VHS and DVD and can hook you up. I’m just gonna need you to put down a deposit and leave a note saying you promise to take care of it and promptly return it or I’ll send over the law. It’s that good. For me it’s right up there with Sports Night, another excellent show that you should totally check out … you know in January after all this holiday madness ends.

·       AMC is the marathon machine…. Like for reals. At various points of the month, they have dedicated theme nights. Dec. 9^th is “Merry 80’s Marathon” …. Dec. 10^th “So Many Santas Marathon” …. Dec. 16^th “Best Elf Marathon” …. Dec. 17^th “Holiday Hijinks Marathon” ….. and my favorite Dec 26^th as the “Holiday Hangover” I think there’s even one for Reece Witherspoon. If you are stuck and can’t figure out what to watch check out AMC and see what they are offering.  

·       CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute will air on Dec. 10^th at 7. It’s always a great reminder that in the doom and gloom of the world there are people attempting to make things better and good for them, better for us.  

·       Kennedy Center Honors  will air on CBS Dec. 27^th at 8 it’s another good program to remind you that there are very good humans in this world but this one leans more to the celebrity side while CNN’s version is for the everyday man. This year’s honorees include Billy Crystal, Reneee Fleming, Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick and my Queen …. Dana Owens.

·       As always if you are looking for something to throw the littles in front of while you wrap gifts, bake, shop online, drink a glass or three of wine, scroll on your phone, or just need a minute … Freeform is the place for you. Their love for Claymation is admirable and while not all the offerings are eyeball worthy they do have a very impressive lineup again this year. May we all bow to the awesome that is Freeform this time of year.

Now for …the rules. If you are an OG user of this calendar, feel free to skip ahead. If you are new to the party …. Well, you want to read on or face my wrath.

·       NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list, just let me know.

·       I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·       Late Hour Focus, but hour round fun. For you work from home people, stay at home mom’s, or employers who have access to good wifi ….  they run these specials all day long, and while my calendar focuses mainly on the after-work hour times since that is when I can watch (especially during the week), fire it up as background noise for that meeting that you are totes paying attention to, or while you edit that really long annoying document.

Much like the Halloween one ….. I have been doing this one for at least 15 years …. The goal is to set aside some time for the holiday cheer to enter your soul …. for those shows and stories we all grew up with to fill your heart with happiness … and most importantly to stop…breathe…take a minute … then jump back out there into the madness that is the holiday season.

Merry Christmas to you all …. and I hope you each have a wonderful and safe New Years. Here’s to a fantastic 2024 for us all !

Marcy

2021 Christmas Calendar

Goodness gracious it feels like I just sent out the Halloween calendar … I mean doesn’t it? Like how did we get here so quickly …. I guess the calendar has a tendency to do that. Either way it’s time for some sappy Crimmus (as my Partner in Crime spells it (Golden) movies that are going to make you smile, cringe, laugh, and in some cases cry. Either way there will be moisture involved so .. have fun with that.

So … here you go …. I present to you the 2021 Christmas TV Schedule in all its glory! Once again, the calendar is set up in 11X17 format in an effort to save your eye balls. If you have to print it 8.5x11 it is readable but if you can print it 11X17 your eyes will thank you, tho your IT guy might question why you are suddenly out of ink at the office. I have also found that saving the PDF to your favorite portable device is the best way to keep the calendar handy and as an added bonus you can zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. 

A few highlights to discuss ….

• AMC is having their “Best Christmas Ever” which will feature “popular Christmas and Family films along with other acquired specials” whatever the heck that means. However, they are showing the Olsen Twins before they got greasy hair in To Grandmother’s House We go and giving all the love to National Lampoons Christmas Vacay so I’m going to let them pass on that. This is where those of you without kiddos might want to land each night to avoid the cartoon crimmus .. but I mean if you aren’t watching Claymation at Crimmus are you even gonna get a visit from Santa … I think not.
• ABC is bringing the holiday fun with regular programing having Christmas/Holiday themed episodes as well as specials (which is what this calendar is about) including “The Magic Maker,” “A Very Boy Band Holiday,” “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”; “CMA Country Christmas” and of course kicking off 2022 with the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2022.
• Freeform is doing another 25 days of Christmas, after their 31 days lead up and after their 31 days of Halloween …. So I guess that’s just what they do now. However Freeform is filled with a lot of fun stuff for the kiddos and the adult kiddos will find some fun too, but not everything on their schedule is what I’d call “crimmus” worthy. See Die Hard Fans I can pick and choose what is Crimmus and what isn’t too.
• There are now roughly 4,567 versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (give or take) … God love you Dr. Seuss … it’s on TBS, Freeform, AMC, NBC, USA, I mean it’s every freaking where! I used to try and flag the cartoon vs Jim Carey vs the new animated one with Cumber-what’s-his-face (which is actually really good almost better than the original but don’t tell Chuck Jones and Boris Karloff I said that please) however it’s all too much. So, it’s on the schedule … tune in … see which one and turn it off …. Or keep watching … entirely up to you. I mean his heart is gonna grow no matter what you do cause that’s what Grinches do … PS Spoiler alert … I guess I mean it’s been out since 1957, so I mean that’s on you.
• Hallmark, Halmark Movies and Mysteries, and Lifetime have been cranking out the Christmas specials since like April and I get it … really I do. It’s a simple formula that usually pays off, but know that if I needed room on the calendar, these were the first to get kicked out. I did try to add the “new” specials you know the ones that haven’t been seen a billion times in the last week. Hallmark announced something like 41 new movies this season and Lifetime added 50 “Holiday themed” specials” to their line up and well … that’s just dumb. I will admit when you think about how these actors had to pretend to be freezing in say 97 degree California or Canadian weather…so well played actors.
• Other options include ION channel, UpTV, TCM, and Food Network for your holiday fun. Not everyone gets all of these channels but if you have them, they have some pretty fun looking shows coming up. I get them and as I have said on numerous occasions … this is all about me … I just share the love cause well … it’s the holidays and I want you all to be happy.
• Lastly, we all know by now the fate of the Peanuts cartoons …. PBS is showing these specials once … one time … they showed the Great Pumpkin commercial free which I admit was nice. I am hoping for the same with the Christmas special. So, plan your schedule around these showings cause well it’s important. What has happened to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and Woodstock is exactly what this calendar has tried to prevent. Streaming can’t take over … it just can’t but it’s gonna and until it does, I’ll be here … wasting everyone’s time and file space with these calendars.

Speaking of streaming if you partake … here ya go … you are welcome!

28 Christmas Movies on Disney Plus for 2021 | Best Family Films to Watch (rd.com)

The 16 Best New Christmas Movies of 2021 (yahoo.com)

The Most Festive Christmas Movies to Stream on Amazon Prime (yahoo.com)

Best Christmas Movies Streaming on Netflix | PEOPLE.com

25 Best Christmas Movies on Hulu 2021 — Hulu Holiday Films (rd.com)

The Best Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and More - TV Guide

THE RULES

• NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.
• Thanks for your understanding.
• For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.
• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly for those of you that have traveled as far and wide as this calendar has. (PS What’s that like?!)
• Unless otherwise stated the times are PM
• Also, the times may vary (my TV provider could be wrong, the website could be wrong, I might have screwed up the conversation from Eastern/Central time zone cause numbers are not my friend and a really awesome song distracted me) the point is … don’t call because you missed Clark finally get those lights to work, that’s on you…I mean that movie comes on like 75 billion times … and I always catch the same 12 scenes every.single.time.
• Use your fancy devices and find out when it comes on again and watch accordingly. I know you can do it. I have faith in you! Or ask your kid to handle it for you, I have more faith in them to be honest.
• This calendar contains shows I want to see, so it includes a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies, cause let’s face it I’m basically a little person in a big person body.
• PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch
• It’s not that I don’t love your kids but I didn’t birth them, they aren’t my mess and I don’t want to hear about it.
• You should have thought about that before you decided to have kids. Just saying.
• Seriously don’t be the one that every year calls cause of this ….that’s how you get removed from next year’s list.
• It happens … every…damn…year!
• Feel free to make your own calendar, which if you don’t share with the world around you .. then you are just the worst.
• Seriously tho.. Love ya … but yeah the worst!

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary holding little Zuzu and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan, oh no did I give the end away ?!) and have a GREAT Christmas season!

Marcy

PS while I’m here cause I’m not doing a New Year's calendar (Halloween and Christmas are enough) …. Hallmark has developed some New Year's movies for 2022 (cause why not) here’s what they are planning to offer, some frankly sound like they might be decent.

Hallmark Channel Kicks Off 2022 with "New Year New Movies" Event | Southern Living

 

2020 Christmas TV Movie Calendar

Let’s start by stating the obvious … 2020 has just drained me and I came very close to not doing this calendar cause well frankly nothing else has worked out this year why should this … but then decided A. I needed something to look forward to so looking up these shows and movies made me happy. B. so many people have been asking about this calendar even before the Halloween one went out so the pressure to do it was strong. C. For that reason I knew that many of you were looking forward to was this calendar and I didn’t deliver then well it would have made you sad and I can’t have that on my head. D. by sending out the Halloween calendar I kind of obligated myself to do this one too E. For those indifferent to the calendar I salute you but question your loyalty F. it’s all about me and this calendar makes me smile and wears out my TV … so we must proceed! (My Tivos recently died a horrible death but Xfinity-X1 is in the house …. Literally. Dad blames Xfinity, Comcast whatever they call themselves these days… I am just gonna lay it at 2020’s doorstep, in a paper bag, with other organic matter inside it, and it will be on fire. Just saying.

So … here you go …. I present to you the 2020 Christmas TV Schedule in all its glory! It's best if you save the image below for viewing on the go. By my calculations my digital files of calendars goes back to 2008. However, before 2008 I was horrible about file management (I’m getting better) so who really knows. The Halloween calendar stated the 12^th Edition so that’s what I’m going to go with …. tho I swear I’ve been doing it longer. I also confess that I, who is on the finance committee at the Church, suck at Math so ya know … take that for what you want. Forget Diamonds … Calculators are a girls friend. Cell phones with a built in calculator ... well that’s our bestie.

Another house cleaning item before we dive in …. You’ll notice that I never sent an e-mail about the Charlie Brown goodness that was to have been the airing date of the Great Pumpkin back in October. I confess at the time I blamed ABC … little did I know that they were just as sad about it as me (at least I like to think they were). Well that’s cause Apple's TV+ and Peanuts ruined Halloween for everyone. Just everyone. I mean yeah sure Covid (the Covid, The Virus, whatever it goes by in your respective parts of the world) killed it in many areas of the US … but even those people have to admit that it was truly dead when it was announced that Peanuts had sold out to Apple's TV+  and thus no showing on Network TV (ABC) was to happen this year. Screw those kids whose parents hadn’t bought into the online digital age. Forget the littles who rely on network TV for their wholesome TV (you know after they watch 10 minutes of vomiting on Family Guy). Suck it …kid far away from home for the first time in college who smiles when Charlie Brown gets his rock or when Linus misses the great pumpkin…again. GUYS …the thing I’ve been trying to combat with this calendar is finally happening. They are slowly removing all life as we know it from network TV and moving to Digital platforms. Or…you know something far less dramatic. I blame you all for not watching. For DVRing and then not watching cause it’s a week or two after the holiday and you are trying to free up space for yet another Walking Dead spin off. For not tweeting and facebooking that you were watching when you finally pause long enough to watch. You know who you are. Anyway… once that “news story broke” all haties broke loose, the world descended into anarchy and Apple was like whoa we don’t care for negative backlash (I mean their fan allegiance is usually really high), then Charles Schulz and his halo came down to the Peanut offices all God like and mad demanding answers as he threw footballs at his staff for this very obvious betrayal. I understand, Steve Jobbs decided to not don the Turtleneck and make the trip north in order to get involved (see what I did there?). So, after all that the result was that we get one showing of the Thanksgiving and one showing of the Christmas specials on PBS …. One. Make it count guys. Plan your lives around it cause while I am still mad at them we need to watch. Show them that the backlash was real, explain to them that it is important for it to be on network TV and maybe just maybe next year I get my freaking Great Pumpkin back! I don’t ask for much guys …. I mean honestly.

• ·       A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Nov. 22 – sorry I didn’t get this out in time for you to watch …. that’s on me … but hey if you miss Christmas… that’s .. well that’s on you
• ·       A Charlie Brown Christmas On PBS  Dec. 13 plan accordingly

Now that all that unpleasantness is handled …. Back to our regularly scheduled programing ….

The rules:

• ·       No e-mails about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-mas allows for extra real estate on an already full calendar. Thanks for your understanding and if you don’t understand that feel free to let me remove you from this list.
• ·       I live in the central time zone thus the times reflect that, adjust accordingly and plan ahead. Unless otherwise stated the times are PM.
• ·       This is about specials and movies, not single one off episodes for scheduled shows. You can watch those all year long, this is about things that other than Hallmark, Lifetime etc., you can only watch this time of year.
• ·       It’s about me… this calendar reflect what I WANT to watch and the channels that I get. There is a mixture of cartoons, children’s programs, and adult themed programs. Some are classics, some are new. I vouch not for their quality or content so don’t be calling me cause your little watched a Lifetime movie with you and now has questions. You made that not me.

Channels you will want to take note of

Freeform has been having a Kick off to Christmas all November and is planning another 25 days of Christmas starting December 1st. If you have littles this is the place for you. There are some classics Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, Rudolph, Frosty … that being said just cause it’s airing doesn’t mean it deserves your time. While the offerings for Christmas are a lot better than the Halloween offerings, there are still a lot of repeats. If you have had a bad day or want something for background noise as you bake or wrap gifts, or the kids are being impossible and you just need a break … this is your channel. Let me also add that the LOVE that Freeform is giving to Rudolph and Frosty this year makes for a Happy Marcy! Claymation for the Win!

As a friend of mine so eloquently stated … “Hallmark, Lifetime, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries have been assaulting us with Christmas movies all freaking year” … so I have decided to only include “new movies” or movies that I liked and want to see again are on the calendar. There are frankly too many to show them all and if you are having a night where you want to see the same movie but with a different setting and actors then these are the channels for you. They are predictable but always good for killing a few hours.

On that note …. All new showings (or new to me anyway) are marked all PURPLE.

A few airings of note ….

• ·       Die Hard …. I tried guys, I really did, mostly for you Joe (stay safe out there, and come home soon sir!). The only place I can find it on is HBO, and I don’t have HBO and well remember the rules. I was really surprised AMC didn’t jump on the Die Hard is a Christmas movie bandwagon. It would fit really well with their line up but maybe HBO has the rights?! Who knows. At least I’m finally conceding that it can be conceived by some as a Christmas movie.
• ·       How the Grinch Stole X-mas – look I love the original….the cartoon … with all it’s wonderful Seussiness …. I like the Jim Carey version but it comes on like 62,986,529,862 times on Freeform. This calendar shows some of those but if you miss it well you have been warned. There is also a showing of the new Grinch cartoon (2018) Dec 18^th at 8 on Freeform (you know the new one from Illumination (Minions Fame) that has Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the Grinch-which I haven’t seen yet so that’s exciting), but the OG Cartoon with Boris Karloff as your narrator comes on once … on NBC Dec. 25^th at 7  …. It’s marked as TOON and in true NBC fashion it’s MUST SEE TV!
• ·       It’s a Wonderful Life – we get one shot at this one this year …. Dec. 24^th NBC 7  … Don’t blow it. What’s up with NBC showing stuff once and then moving on ?! Like really?! 
• ·       The Grinch Musical – I don’t know much about this one ….. I know it stars Matthew Morrison as the Grinch …. And frankly I don’t have high hopes for it, however I love me some Broadway and anything that puts Broadway on my TV gets a win in my book, tho I’d love to have been in the pitch meeting for this musical. It airs on NBC Dec. 9^th at 7.
• ·       The Sound of Music – This is just an iconic story that a dear friend of mine loves and thus I love it too. Definitely worth watching at least once in your lifetime, more if you are so blessed to do so. Released in 1965 it is about Maria (Julie Andrews), a young Austrian postulant (candidate to be a nun) in 1938 who is sent to serve as a governess to the 7 children of a naval officer (Christopher Plummer), when it’s clear the life of a Nun is not for her. It features music, puppets, dancing, costume changes and Nazis. The 2^nd half of the movie is stupid dark for as light and fun as the first half is. Catch it Dec. 20^th on ABC at 6 (it’s a long movie 172 minutes to be exact. Or nearly 3 hours).
• ·       Kennedy Center Honors – we could all use a pick me up and watching a special that highlights wonderful people doing wonderful things for others is a good start. This is the 42^nd showing and it airs on Dec. 15^th at 7 on CBS.
• ·       CNN Heroes on well … CNN … is also a great pick me up and a reminder that there are people out there who care about others airing on Dec. 13^th at 7 well on CNN.

Digital Options for you …….. cause I love you guys that much … can be found at the following links …. The 2^nd link breaks it down by service and days which was super nice of someone

Netflix, other streaming services add more Christmas movies and specials, from 'Lego Star Wars Holiday Special' to 'Charlie Brown Christmas' (msn.com)

 

Everything Coming To Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Hulu And Prime Video In December (wegotthiscovered.com)

Anyway, the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they will go forever.

Today’s “classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing, I present Exhibit A …. Charlie Brown. Exhibit B Yes Virginia once again not showing up on CBS …. For reasons I don’t understand. Like seriously can someone explain this to me? Exhibit C What happened to Yes Virginia … I can’t even find the movie airing anywhere. So please take the time to watch it with your family as it airs so that it will air for years to come.  If not for me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady who sang really really loudly but also really beautifully.

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary holding little Zuzu and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan, oh no did I give the end away ?!) and have a GREAT Christmas season!

Marcy

Thankfulness Challenge – 2019 Christmas TV/Movie Calendar

I present to you as your present the 2019 Christmas TV Schedule! See the bottom of this post. Once again, the calendar is set up in 11X17 format but if you have to print it 8.5x11 it is readable – hopefully you have glasses - but if you can print it 11X17 your eyes will thank you. I have also found that saving the PDF to your favorite portable device is the best way to keep the calendar handy and as an added bonus you can zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. The jpeg breaks up the more you zoom so if you can the PDF is the way to go. 

So, they’ve done it …………. They’ve broken me. Hallmark and Hallmark Movie and Mysteries has been showing movies nonstop since June. I’m done. So, for the calendar the only Hallmark Movies that show up are A. The classic ones I want to see again and B. New movies/specials that, again, I want to see. After all as I’ve said on other occasions this is about me and I just share the wealth. You are welcome! 

Most of this calendar this year will focus on network specials, AMC, TCM, Freeform, and Lifetime. Hallmark has taken over this calendar for the last year …… so yeah if you can’t find anything on my list flip over to Hallmark or Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (why they insist on having two non-stop Christmas channels is beyond me – just rename them Christmas 24-7 and be done with it) and see what they have going on. Spoiler alert the dude who the girl hates at the beginning of the movie … will get the girl by the time the credits roll, at some point there will be a huge misunderstanding that a 5 minute conversation could solve and there will be snow, even when the movie is set in a state that traditionally does not partake in snow... Just saying. 

• Freeform started their Christmas holiday in November with a “Kick off to Christmas” before they had 25 days of Christmas (starting Dec. 1), but since they gave so much love to the Claymation of my childhood, I’m going to let it slide. I’m very excited to see what their lineup has to offer this year tho it concerns me a little their recent connection with The Simpsons. I love it but am also concerned. 
  
• TCM hits the holiday fun on Dec 1^st with classics like It Happened on 5^th Avenue, Remember the Night, The Greatest Story Ever Told, A Christmas Carol, those movies and shows that made the Christmas special magical. If you are wanting nostalgia Christmas this is the channel to check out. This is especially true should you have an older loved on in your house. These are the shows Grandma or Grandpa with Alzheimer’s remembers. Let them relive her childhood a few times too.
  
• AMC started their holiday on November 25^th which runs through Christmas Day featuring over 60 films and specials airing all day every day in what they are calling the “Best Christmas Ever!” However as with Halloween they are not releasing said Schedule cause they don’t care about me or my calendar and that’s just fine …. I mean ……. It’s rude but … fine. I found some of them but I’m sure not all of them. 
  
• Lifetime is like Hallmark in which they are turning into a 24-7 holiday, they did at least limit it to starting October 25^th and they don’t take over the calendar they get to stay another year, but I’m watching you Lifetime. Get it together man! Also keep in mind if you are looking for G rated Lifetime is not the place for you, I’m not saying you’ll get NC-17 mind you but if the kids are watching too then you might want to  head on over to Hallmark instead if you are concerned. Better yet go to TCM or Freeform and show them something fun. 
  
• Food Network is back in the game with all kind of Holiday themed competition shows. Frankly however all the Halloween ones made me mad so I’m not showing them on my calendar. That’s their punishment. Take note Lifetime. They typically air Sunday, Monday and Wednesday nights so yeah find them….. Holiday Wars, Gingerbread Showdown, Kids Baking Championship, etc., There is one exception, a Hanukkah Challenge that will air on the 21^st at 8, which frankly made me smile. Nice to see them giving some love to the other side of this holiday for once. It’s not all Santas, Snowmen, and Mangers (oh my!) after all people! 
  

For those that do digital Might I suggest Season 2 of Magic for Humans from Justin Willman, which will appear on Dec 4. Keeping with the spirit of the calendar there is a holiday themed episode there you will want to watch. Also there’s a Christmas movie Holiday Rush which started playing Nov. 28^th, I’m sure it’s still around check it out. If you are a Million Little Things fan Rome stars in that movie and if you are a MLT fan I don’t have to tell you how wonderful he is. My boss swears by A Very Murray Christmas which came out in 2015. So if it is still out there (I don’t understand how Digital stuff works) then check that out.

So… here’s what Netflix has in store for you …cause I love you and I want you all to be happy too …

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/10/8574620/netflix-christmas-movies-tv-shows-2019

I post this today cause tomorrow on ABC you can find A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and well dear readers you know how I feel about that lovely Charles Shultz movie but you might find it interesting so here you go.

Marcy
@beaslma

2017 Christmas Calendar

PLEASE find below a Jpeg of the 2017 Christmas TV Schedule, in original size ... which makes it look like it is falling off the page but that makes it a better quality when you click and save it.  I am also putting a link to download the PDF which is, in my opinion, the easiest way to see it. I think it’s best to save the PDF to your favorite portable device so you can keep the calendar handy. It also saves your eyes by allowing you to zoom in and out to read that ever so small type. The jpeg breaks up the more you zoom so if you can the PDF is the way to go.

Link to PDF: 2017 Christmas Calendar PDF

This year I tried to highlight new specials (meaning had not aired previously before Jan. 1, 2017) in GREEN but as they are new be mindful of what you and your family sit down to watch. I vouch not for their quality, their rating level, or even their sappiness. As always this calendar is filled with new shows, some old classics, and some mediocre stuff that just fills the time slots throughout the month that are fun to have in the background as you wrap gifts, make cookies, fill out Christmas cards .... though my lawyers tell me I should inform you not to do all of those things at once, then again you are an adult and if you can multitask go for it, I myself would burn the cookies, waste the paper and end up sending Christmas cards to the wrong person.  

Unfortunately, the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX) started their Christmas right after thanksgiving which is why it’s hard to find Frosty, Rudolph, and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’m not seeing that these will be reairing but I mean that’s just dumb right?! So keep an eye on those coming back to your screens. I hope they do. As stated below, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon showing in December. It was all over the place throughout November but starting Dec. 1^st it’s only the Jim Cary movie which is fun but the cartoon is fantastic.

Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (HMM on the calendar btw), Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movie Network have been vomiting Christmas themed movies since like last October (meaning 2016) it seems so only a hand full of theirs made the listings, but truthfully on some days they were the only game in town. If I needed room that was the first place I went to cut and trust me on some days it was a very necessary … but tough decision.

As a wanna be writer it amazes me that that they take the same concept, really the same story, change to a different “snow covered town,” change out the actors (usually Candance Cameron Bure for Lacey Chabert (from Party of Five fame, and Meg on the 1^st season of Family Guy, and Eliza on the Wild Thornberrys—didn’t know that did you? See you learned something by reading my rambling. Good for you!)), add a super cute guy for said female actor to fall for even through her heart belongs to another (another person or her work), drop both into said “snow covered town," wait for the spark to ignight then end on a happy/sappy note as their lives become one. Put a new title on the movie, create a poster of the beautiful people, and BOOM we got us a show!!

As always there are rules or as the guys at my work call them ….. “disclaimers” ….

• NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word. used over and over again, and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

• Thanks for your understanding.
• For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

• That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

• This calendar does not focus on established shows “Christmas special episodes” so watch out for those … some are fun to re-watch this time of year. Psych for instance has a great Christmas themed episode, and so did How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Big Bang Theory, Wings, Family Ties, and other established shows.
• Again, that is not what this is about.  Those are fun but those also air all year around, then again with Hallmark and Freeform I’m starting to think the ones that made the calendar are also available all year but if we go down that road all of this falls apart so … happy thoughts!
• This calendar contains shows I want to see, so a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies are represented. Some are classics and some are new, so PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch. If your favorites didn’t make the list… well make your own calendar next year.

• Don’t call me cause your little one watched some holiday movie on Lifetime and now has “questions”. . . . that’s your mess not mine.

¾    Please NOTE: The Disney version of a Christmas Carol (AKA the computer animated Jim Carrey version) is a little dark and can be scary (much like the original story btw), you might want to check it out before you and little man/lady plop down with popcorn and a blanket to “watch a classic” that may also result in sleepless nights for both you and said child. Not me I’ll be sleeping like a baby due to a sleeping pill, you know like an adult. 

• That is also why Psych The Movie (Dec. 7^th USA) made the calendar cause it’s gonna be awesome and you need to see it and so alerting you to it’s presence is your Christmas Present this year!

¾    You are welcome … no thank you note will be required but it is polite to send one. Just saying. Your grandma would be proud of you but whatever, I’m sure she’s proud of you on the inside.

¾    PS extra credit if you know why there is a cool pineapple on the calendar to mark this occasion.

• Keep an eye out for additional shows/movies that pop up throughout the month as networks change their lineups.
• Feel free to add your own specials and traditions to the calendar that’s what it is there for.
• As stated some channels have been vomiting Holiday specials for several months so if a network had several great specials in a row I only listed one figuring you’d be alerted to the others as you watched, hey something had to give right!?
• For you stay at home mom’s they run specials all day long and for the most part my calendar focuses on the after work hour times since that is when I can watch.

¾    That’s right it’s all about me I just share the wealth cause I’m awesome like that!

¾    If you make your own calendar and don’t share it … well you are just the worst kind of person.

A few programs of note:

• A returning favorite made the list (yippie the list is working) Ernest Saves Christmas comes on AMC several times this month, check it out at least once, or twice or many many times … know what I’m saying Vern?!
• TCM is one again doing their “Night at the Movies” every Monday starting at 5:45 which will feature different specials and behind the scenes interviews. Holiday movies on the schedule include Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol to name a few. They won’t say when they will air so you’ll have to check it out every Monday to see what’s on that week.
• I can only find A Christmas Story during the TBS Christmas Day Marathon so make sure you work it into your Christmas celebrations.
• Bless you Ted Turner, you crazy old man, may this tradition live forever!!
• I think it’s a rule you watch at least once.

o   If it’s not a rule it should be.

• I also think it should be illegal that that’s the only time it is going to air so keep an eye out for it maybe it will pop up a few extra times.
• Then again it’s 24 freaking hours of Ralphie if you miss it that’s on you. SHAME…SHAME!
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the best movies ever, comes on several times this year on multiple channels but especially on Freefrom and AMC.
• Bless you FreeForm! Bless you AMC! Bless you Chevy Chase! Bless us everyone!
• Seriously If you don’t know the joy of Clark finally getting the lights to work…well I feel sorry for you and your family and the people that know you because you are missing the joy in your life. Correct that this year please! Don’t be Todd guys, who I’m sure cheered when Margo was attacked by Eddie’s dog.
• PS did you know that the lady who plays Clarks mom was the same lady that played Belle on Alice all those years ago.
1. I didn’t until Mom pointed it out this year, see kids let that be a lesson it’s never too late to learn new things.
2. Feel free to use this tidbit at you viewing party (during commercial breaks of course – no one likes a movie talker) to gain bonus points with your friends.
• It’s A Wonderful Life –  Dec. 9^th and reairs on Dec. 24^th on NBC It’s also featured a few times on TCM (as said note above states) so you should have plenty of time to see if Clarence gets his wings!
• The “boys” in my life informed me that DIEHARD should have been on the calendar …. boys are silly … however and I couldn’t find it showing anywhere other than say Cinemax, or via online viewing which my boss informs me is all that really matters anyway.
• So yeah there’s that. If you want to watch it … those are your options.

o   Sorry fellas. I tried, kinda.

A few programs of note that are not “Christmas” related but interesting enough to make the calendar include:

• Psych the Movie  - Dec. 7^th USA …. Seriously watch this and enjoy.
• CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute – Dec. 17^th – it’s nice seeing that in a world full of insanity there are some people out there trying to do good and are being recognized for it. It’s a really inspirational night even if this year you have to deal with Kelly Rippa, so check it out.

Anyway, the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they will go forever.

Today’s “classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing. I’m looking at you CBS and Yes Virginia which I’m sure is airing but I can’t find out when so keep an eye out for it. As stated, I can’t find the Grinch cartoon, Freeform aired it like a billion times in their run up to their 25 days of Christmas but not one airing during the 25 days of Christmas, nope after Nov. 30^th all we get is the live action movie which I like but the cartoon has a special place in my heart and the people who decided not to air it during December have a special place in a very hot climate waiting for them. That’s how important it is people.

The point is, just because you have these shows on DVD, Blueray, or via online ordering, take the time to watch it with your family as it airs so that it will air for me for years to come.  If not for me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady who I believe has passed away but her voice and legend continue to live on.

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan and Clarence gets his wings, oh no did I give the end away?! SPOILER ALERT) and have a safe and GREAT Christmas!

Marcy & Golden

PS – as always we thank you for reading our ramblings and thoughts, thanks for joining the journey of two girls trying to find their place in this weird wonderful world! #SayWhatMG