The Christmas holiday season would just not seem the same if our favorite friends were unable to come to visit us each year on television. Of course, there are two exceptions, namely Scrooge and The Grinch. Although their stories are of a miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth, and Scrooge’s “bah humbug” disdain for most everything, I’ll cut them some slack, because they eventually became poster boys for the story of redemption and overcoming evil.

Some Christmas characters that bring joy to the season are my favorites, Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.

They need no introductions, of course, but look for Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr.’s Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town for a real treat.

Everyone’s favorite bear, Winnie the Pooh, warms hearts with the charming animated film Winnie the Pooh & Christmas Too, from 1991, about Christopher Robin’s selfless letter to Santa.

Don’t miss out on the holiday capers of the Rugrats, The Muppets and Garfield. Those lovable cartoon characters serve up tales of redemption in the 1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol, about our friend Scrooge. Bratty rugrat Angelica learns that it is better to give than to receive in The Rugrats Christmas, and Garfield has six holiday specials that all eventually teach him the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without watching the 1965 classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Young and old alike have been raised with the touching story about what happens when Christ is taken out of Christmas. Charlie Brown and his friends grasp the truth, and end up with new found joy as they celebrate the season, as it rightfully deserves to be celebrated.