Are you ready to get into the holiday spirit? Check out a compilation of all of the holiday specials and movies.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (CBS, Dec. 9, 8 ET/PT): Shunned for his glowing schnoz, Rudolph finds kindred souls on the Island of Misfit Toys, especially Hermey the Elf, the wannabe dentist. Soon, both their special skills save the day.
I LOVE LUCY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL (CBS, Dec. 7, 8 ET/PT): CBS combines two of the classic sitcom’s best-loved holiday outings, including the oh-so-creatively named “Christmas Episode” and “Job Switching,” better known as “Chocolate Factory,” where Lucy and Ethel try to keep pace with an assembly line of sweets.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN (ABC, Dec. 9, 8 ET/PT): Kris Kringle tries to deliver gifts to Sombertown, where toys are forbidden by the cranky-pants mayor.
In this Issue
bullet The Holiday Shuffle
bullet The Modern Military Parent
bullet Pick Your Perfect Preschool
bullet Resources for Homeschoolers
bullet Ask the Teacher
bullet New Holiday Traditions
bullet Growth Charts
bullet Footnotes: Thoughts from the margins of a mom’s lifeDouble surprisesBy Kelly BlewettBecause we have family who live far away, we are often piling into the car like so many sardines, accompanied by snacks and pillows, band aids and toys. We like to thi
bullet [True Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad]
bullet Ask the Teacher
bullet November Community Spotlights
bullet National Family History Day
bullet Earning Income as a Stay-at-Home Mom
bullet Music and Children
FROSTY RETURNS (CBS, Dec. 13, 9:30 ET/PT): The invention of “Summer Wheeze,” an aerosol spray that evaporates snow, puts Frosty’s survival at risk again.
ELF: BUDDY’S MUSICAL CHRISTMAS (NBC, Dec. 16, 8 ET/PT): Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons steps into Will Ferrell’s iconic green elf suit in this new stop-motion musical special as Santa himself narrates Buddy’s travels to the Big Apple to meet his father and bring joy to everyone he meets through the power of Christmas cheer.
MICHAEL BUBLE’S CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK (NBC, Dec. 17, 8 ET/PT): The fourth annual special features Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande, Miss Piggy and the Rockettes.
THE iHEARTRADIO JINGLE BALL 2014 (CW, Dec. 18, 8 ET/PT): Musical performers include Taylor Swift, Iggy Azalea, Maroon 5, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Meghan Trainor, Pharrell Williams, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jessie J and OneRepublic performing live at Madison Square Garden.
MR. MAGOO’S CHRISTMAS CAROL (CW, Dec. 19, 8 ET/PT): This 1962 retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol holds the distinction of being the first animated holiday special made for TV.
I WANT A DOG FOR CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN! (ABC, Dec. 20, 8 ET/PT): When Linus and Lucy’s little brother, Rerun, declares he would like a dog of his own, Charlie Brown lets him do a trial run with Snoopy to prove he can handle the responsibility.
ONE DIRECTION: THE TV SPECIAL (NBC, Dec. 23, 8 ET/PT): If you thought you were going to spend quality family time with your teenage daughter this holiday, think again. British boy band sensation One Direction headlines its first TV special.
SHREK THE HALLS (ABC. Dec. 23, 8 ET/PT): As Shrek consults Christmas for Village Idiots to learn how to throw a proper holiday celebration for Fiona, Donkey and the rest of his friends share Christmas stories.
DR SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (ABC, Dec. 25, 8:30 ET/PT): The cave-dwelling curmudgeon with a heart two sizes two small fails to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville, despite stealing all their presents and decorations. The animated classic (8 ET/PT) precedes the live-action feature film from 2000 starring Jim Carrey.