Rankin Bass: The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

The story elaborates on the popular Christmas song about a shepherd boy who plays his drum for the baby Jesus and makes the animals dance, is a little more tough-minded than you might expect. The kid begins the story as what we'd now call a neglected child, a surly urchin who says he hates all people. He's pulled back from the brink, first by learning to make music, and then by his encounter with the Christ child. The underlying message alone--that everybody has something worth contributing--qualifies the show for holiday-perennial status. The big-name voice performers, Jose Ferrer and Greer Garson (who narrates), may be a little too ponderous for the occasion, but the familiar cartoony tones of Paul Frees (aka Boris Badenov) and June Forey (aka Rocket J. Squirrel) help liven up the proceedings. It's only 23 minutes long, so it's worth a shot for younger children. --David Chute

Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)

The wondrous story of Christ's birth is told by an unlikely source: Nestor, a gentle donkey with incredibly long ears and a first-hand knowledge of life in a stable. This simple tale, which takes place in the days of the Roman Empire, is about a humble couple about to take a long journey to Bethlehem and a small, insignificant donkey who is destined to help them along. By all outward appearances, Nestor is undeserving of such a privilege. Stable animals tease him incessantly for his long appendages until, finally, he is cast out of the barn into the winter cold. Snow and ice bring about even greater calamity for Nestor until he receives a dose of divine goodness. Nestor meets Tilly, a heavenly cherub (voiced by Brenda Vaccaro) who imparts guidance to the despairing burro and tells him that soon he would be chosen to participate in a miracle involving a star and a baby, a lowly stable and some travelers named Mary and Joseph. Short and sweet, this stop-motion Christmas gem from Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass is narrated by Roger Miller. Get out the hanky for an understated holiday classic that will appeal to families of all ages. --Lynn Gibson

Pam Tillis - Beautiful Night (2006)

Paul Reid's Christmas - The Littlest Angel (1992)

http://paulreidchristmas.com/A_Paul_Reid_Christmas.html

http://paulreidchristmas.com/Biography.html

Website of the week: Christmas Cookies

Every kind of cookie you can think of making is here. They have over 540 recipes. Don't eat too many or you may get sick!

http://www.christmas-cookies.com/

If that isn't enough, check out http://www.recipegoldmine.com/cook/cook.html too.

We're stuffed already just from looking! Happy baking, gang!

Judy Garland - Silent Night (1937 Exhibitor's Christmas Trailer)

Judy Garland - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (1944)

from the film "Meet Me In St. Louis"

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Fans & kids check out: http://www.seussville.com/grinch/

Absolute Grinch:

Tex Avery - One Ham's Family (1943)

Toby Keith - Santa I'm Right Here (1995)

Top Dog - Howliday Favorites In Dog

Boney M - Mary's Boy Child (Top Of The Pops 1978)

Website of the week - Christmas Art by MFPA

Take a look at some of the beautiful paintings & artwork. They're lovely. Now imagine they were all painted either by mouth or by foot. Now the art becomes incredible!
You can send a beautiful Christmas gift AND help a charity at the same time. Here's the American artists site: and here's the international artists site:

"Formed in 1956, the MFPA (Mouth & Foot Painting Artists) is an international, for-profit association wholly owned and run by disabled artists to help them meet their financial needs. Members paint with brushes held in their mouths or feet as a result of a disability sustained at birth or through an accident or illness that prohibits them from using their hands."

To purchase, click 'order form' under the 'our products' drop-down box. They have cards, calendars, prints, books, gift wrapping and more. Or you can browse by artist and read their personal stories. Merry Christmas!