obscure christmas cartoons i've been watching this year.

What is it about holiday specials? Each one manages to make life feel extra beautiful. I suppose it comes down to this: the world is often stressful, frustrating, and unfair, but in Christmas movies and television specials, there is hope. Things get better. People grow. Circumstances change. Dreams are realized. Prayers are answered. It feels nice to escape to a magical dream world every now and then. Though there are many beloved Christmas movies and television specials out there, this post is focused on some obscure Christmas cartoons that have been high on my list of loves this year. If you are looking for something different that is sure to make your season bright, consider one of these hidden gems. You just might find a new favourite.

Tired of watching the same old holiday specials year after year? Looking for something both new and nostalgic? Then one of these obscure Christmas cartoons might be exactly what you are looking for to mix things up. Here are some favourites...

• Little Orphan Annie: A Very Animated Christmas. The Annie movie from the 1982 is one of my all-time favourite movies and has a very special place in my heart. In fact, most Annie-related releases have a special place in my heart. I love the character so much. This animated Christmas special is from 1995 and puts Daddy Warbucks in the Ebenezer Scrooge role, with grown up versions of Annie serving as the ghosts. Each one helps Daddy Warbucks realize how much better he can make the world. It is impossible to dislike this unexpected version of the story.
• Eek the Cat: It's a Very Merry Eek-Mas. This obscure Christmas special is actually an episode of a 90s television show that I had not seen before, Eek the Cat. The episode is on YouTube and it focuses on reindeer on strike at Santa's workshop. Meanwhile, Eek the Cat focuses on doing his part to save Christmas. I have a serious weakness for cartoons from the 80s/90s/00s, so this one made me smile. It was an unexpected delight, with unique characters, a little slapstick humor, and a lot of heart. My favourite quote? "Sure there are times when the world seems like a cold place, and believe me, sometimes it is. See Santa, maybe it's only one day a year, but on one day, Christmas Day, people remember to try to make the world a little nicer, to smile at a stranger, to offer a hand to those who need it. We seem to - for just a moment - remember that we can live with each other in peace."
• Nine Dog Christmas: The Movie. As mentioned, cartoons from the 80s, 90s, and 00s are my preference. Nine Dogs Christmas: The Movie was released in 2002 and always makes me smile. This is an animated movie about nine stray dogs who fill in when Santa's reindeer are sick. There are heroes and villains in this story, but it all works out well in the end, of course. These cute animal characters not only save Christmas, but they find the perfect homes.
• The Bears Who Saved Christmas. Next is a cute animated special from 1994, which features two adorable teddy bears, Christopher and Holly. After the family becomes stranded in a cabin, the bears (and some adorable sidekicks, like Flashy the Flashlight) work to bring Christmas magic to the cabin so the family will not miss out on all of the festivities. This is such a cute little special. I have a weakness for cartoons that focus on the efforts that others make to ensure the holidays are magical. It speaks to generosity, love, and kindness. (Another examples of this is the cartoon A Christmas Story from Hanna-Barbera.) The characters are so sweet and there is even a song. 
• Christmas Every Day. The last obscure Christmas cartoon on the list is one called Christmas Every Day, which is from either 1986 or 1987. (There seems to be some inconsistency around the date, but at any rate, this is a cartoon from the late 80s.) It is about a little girl who wishes it would be Christmas every day...and it results in some terrible outcomes. Eventually, the wish is reversed, and everyone learns it is nice to have something to look forward to once a year. The animation style is a little rough, but this special has a strong message.

As a bonus, there are some Canadian Christmas cartoons that definitely deserve more attention. Some are better known than others, but these are a few of my favourite Canadian offerings: 10th Ave Christmas cartoons (The Collection of Christmas Tales), Noel Noel, A Fairytale Christmas, The Secret World of Santa, Care Bears: The Nutcracker, and Bluetoes the Christmas Elf. 

There are many holiday cartoons out there...and I love almost all of them. These are some examples of the ones that I have returned to over and over again this year. Each one has a special place in my heart, especially during the month of December.

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Do you enjoy watching obscure Christmas cartoons? Be sure to share your own favourites in the comment section below!