It's time to start looking out for those TV shows and films that help you get into the holiday spirit. It could be anything from a blockhead learning the real meaning of Christmas in an animated classic to a cooking show with tips for those holiday meals.
Here is a list of the time (central time), date and channel where some of the more popular holiday shows can be found.
Frosty the Snowman, 7 p.m. Saturday, CBS: Jimmy Durante narrates this holiday story about a special snowman, followed by Frosty Returns at 7:30 p.m. and The Story of Santa Claus at 8 p.m.
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox: Scrat and the gang deal with holiday events.
My One Christmas Wish, 6 p.m. Sunday, Up: A young woman discovers she's not alone in her loneliness during the holidays.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, 8 p.m. Monday, ABC: This is the 50th anniversary of the animated special starring the Peanuts gang, preceded by a special at 7 p.m.
Disney's A Christmas Carol, 10 a.m. Tuesday, ABC Family: Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) is visited by three ghosts.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Noon Tuesday, ABC Family: Kelsey Grammer narrates three Christmas tales.
The Polar Express, 6 p.m. Tuesday, ABC Family: A young boy takes a magical train to the North Pole.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 7 p.m. Tuesday, CBS: A young deer who is the brunt of jokes becomes a hero.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC Family: Jim Carrey plays the green character who terrorizes Whoville.
The Santa Clause, 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, ABC Family: Divorced father takes over for Santa Claus. Tim Allen stars.
Christmas at Rockefeller Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday, NBC: The network's stars and musical guests attend the 83rd annual tree lighting from Rockefeller Plaza.
Santas in the Barn, 8 p.m. Wednesday, TruTV: Ten Santas, including one from Dallas, compete in an array of over-the-top Christmas-themed challenges.
The Wiz Live!, 7 p.m. Thursday, NBC: Shanice Williams and an all-star cast star in this stage production based on The Wizard of Oz.
Shrek the Halls, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, ABC: The lovable ogre deals with the holidays.
CMA Country Christmas, 8 p.m. Thursday, ABC: Jennifer Nettles hosts this holiday special taped at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Elf, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ABC Family: An elf travels to New York to meet the father he never knew.
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, 11:30 p.m. Friday, ABC Family: Jack Skellington takes over Christmas.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 9 p.m. Dec. 6, ABC Family: The Griswold family celebrates the holidays in their special way.
The Great Christmas Light Fight, 7 p.m. Dec. 7, ABC: Taniya Nayak and Carter Oosterhouse will judge home decorations.
Coat of Many Colors, 8 p.m. Dec. 10, NBC: Special is based on the Dolly Parton song.
Scrooge, 9 p.m. Dec. 11, TCM: Albert Finney stars in this 1970 adaptation.
Disney's Prep & Landing, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, ABC Family: The story of an elite unit of elves.
It's a Wonderful Life, 8 p.m. Dec. 12, NBC: Jimmy Stewart stars in this 1946 film that has become a holiday tradition.
The Flight Before Christmas, 8 p.m. Dec. 12, CBS: Young reindeer has the ambition to be an expert flier.
A Home for the Holidays, 8 p.m. Dec. 18, CBS: Special celebrates home and family through stories of adoption.
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!,7 p.m. Dec. 19, ABC: Snoopy invites his brother for a visit.
Meet Me in St. Louis, 11 a.m. Dec. 20, TCM: This is the 1944 classic film starring Judy Garland.
I Love Lucy Christmas Special, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, CBS: Features two classic episodes of the 1950s series.
How Murray Saved Christmas, 8 p.m. Dec. 23, NBC: Animated story based on Mike Reiss' best-selling children's book.
A Christmas Story, 7 p.m. Dec. 24, TBS: This is the start of a marathon of screenings of the Peter Billingsley film.
The Fresno Bee
