My kids are not charmed by my childhood Christmas specials. I never understood why. I was discussing this with Marina recently and she enlightened me. When she watched one of these specials when she was little, she would become so traumatized by some scene that the movie would essentially end for her at that part. Therefore, Frosty the Snowman ended with him melting. The Little Drummer Boy ended with his lamb getting hit by a horse and cart (or was it because he became an orphan at the beginning?) Whatever the conflict, that is where the character lived unhappily ever after.
I don't remember ever doing that as a child, but I do remember adding scenes to books. This was a bad habit, because it meant that I could never find the scene I imagined when I went back to look for it. Marina does that too. I think we have overactive imaginations!
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Just today, I was talking with my kids about Frosty the Snowman. I really hated that special but now I can't remember why. Who knows, perhaps I didn't like him melting at the end, either! Since we don't have TV, we bought our four favorite Christmas kid specials years ago and we watch one each week of December: The Grinch (the Seuss cartoon narrated by Walter Matthau), Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Mickey Rooney's voice), Burl Ives' Rudolph and, of course, Charlie Brown Christmas. Chad is 15 and still enjoys watching these with the family. My two artistic kids enjoy analyzing the claymation and cartoon techniques. I'm glad they enjoy these shows as much (or more) than I did growing up.
Enjoy your Monday - Kate
I remember watching "The Snowman" with Emily when she was a little kidlet. My dh and I just sat there watching her, both nervous, as she was enthralled and captivated. We watched and waited until....there it was...the trauma, the tears, and we leaped in to love on her.
What is it with weirdo English people ending sweet Christmas stories in a sad way?
I'm with Marina on this one -- I have never liked those specials (Rudolph, Frosty, but most of all, The Little Drummer Boy). I don't think it's that I only remember the traumatic scenes, though . . . I just don't like them!
~*~The Family~*~ : Thank you!
I see the opinions run hot and cold about these old Christmas specials! Kate, I'm like your artistic kids, I like to analyze the animation. Keeley, I LOVE the Snowman, but my daughter reacted like yours. Again, the artwork is what attracts me to it. Foggi, I know so many who feel like you. I know I have a love/hate relationship with all of them, but I had hoped they might like aspects of the specials without panning them entirely.
Ah well! We'll always have Charlie Brown and The Grinch (the animated one)!
OK Here's some really old time Christmas specials - before TV. My Dad would play us records of "The Littlest Angel" and "The Other Wise Man". Or maybe we listened to them on the radio. And yes, they had sad parts but doesn't that make the joy even sweeter. Love, Mom
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