Merry Christmas Charlie Brown: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz--creator of "the Peanuts"--wanted his Christmas special to have the religious meaning that was central to his own experience of Christmas. He also wanted it to include snowy scenes that recalled his native Midwest.
The premise is simple: Charlie Brown complains to Lucy about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season, and how the holiday has become completely commercial. Lucy suggests that he can get into the holiday spirit by directing the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts.
The pageant turns out to be a frustrating struggle. Charlie Brown attempts to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree, but he just seems to make thing worse. Luckily, Linus explains what the real meaning of Christmas is and the joy of the season is restored.
I hope you enjoy this lens on "A Charlie Brown Christmas"!
(Image from here.)
Contents at a Glance
Linus: Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Christmas Time is Here Song
Peanuts Holiday Collection
Peanuts Holiday Collection Deluxe Edition (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas)
Amazon Price: $18.77 (as of 06/03/2012)
This beautiful collection includes all of the following:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
- It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)
- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year."
- Vince Guaraldi.
Sally's Christmas List
Sally: I've been looking for you, big brother. Will you please write a letter to Santa Claus for me?Charlie Brown: Well, I don't have much time. I'm supposed to get down to the school auditorium to direct a Christmas play.
Sally: [hands a clipboard and pen to Charlie Brown] You write it and I'll tell you what I want to say.
Charlie Brown: [sticks pen in his mouth] Okay, shoot.
Sally: [dictating her letter to Santa Claus as Charlie Brown writes it for her] Dear Santa Claus, How have you been? Did you have a nice summer?
Sally: How is your wife? I have been extra good this year, so I have a long list of presents that I want.
Charlie Brown: Oh brother.
Sally: Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?
Charlie Brown: TENS AND TWENTIES? Oh, even my baby sister!
Sally: All I want is what I... I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.
(Image from here.)
"Peanuts" Christmas Stuff on Amazon
Lucy's Views on Christmas
"Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know."
Charlie Brown Directs the Christmas Pageant
Lucy: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.
Charlie Brown: What is it you want?
Lucy: Real estate.
Fabulous Christmas Articles
- Getting Over the Holiday Blues | Five Ways to Keep Your Spirits Up During the Holidays
- If you're feeling down this Christmas season, here are some ways to get your spirits up!
- 28 Glorious Christmas Traditions
- Create traditions your family will cherish for years to come. Here are 28 Christmas traditions you can try.
- Fun, Whimsical Gifts for Creative People
- I'm sure there are plenty of creative people in your life, so if you're wondering what to get them for Christmas, here you will find some fun and whimsical suggestions.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" Board Games
“Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees? [after they discover the little tree]”
Linus: I don't know, Charlie Brown. Remember what Lucy said? This doesn't seem to fit the modern spirit.
Charlie Brown: I don't care. We'll decorate it and it'll be just right for our play. Besides, I think it needs me.
[picks up tree; a lot of needles fall off]
A Charlie Brown Christmas on Amazon
Do you agree with Charlie Brown?
Has Christmas become too commercial?
Yes; we've forgotten what Christmas is really about.
Shadrosky says:
Definitely.
Tipi says:
Hmm, will try again....I love the spirit of Christmas but can do without the crazy commercialization....but then so many businesses depend on Christmas sales.
diamondgirl88 says:
Absolutely! In the interest of selling "stuff", marketing intiatives have bombarded us with pressure to buy "STUFF".
MTF-briguy says:
Haven't totally forgot..it just the expectations from family which seem to get higher year after year!
jdluntjr says:
yep too commercial.
No; Christmas decorations and gift-giving are part of the cheer of the season.
“Isn't there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”
Christmas is About the Birth of Christ
Peace on earth and good will toward men.
"Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please."
"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not! For behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
"And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.'
"And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
" 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace; good will toward men.' "
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Linus Explains What Christmas is All About
A Charlie Brown Christmas on Ebay
A Charlie Brown Christmas on CafePress
Christmas Dance
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition
Amazon Price: $29.98 (as of 06/03/2012)
Anything you could possibly want to know about "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is in this book, including lengthy interviews with producer Lee Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez, plenty of rarely-seen photos of Charles M. Schulz taken in the 1960s, a chapter on Vince Guaraldi where he talks about his jazz soundtrack, interviews with some of the children who voiced the characters, and so on.
More Lenses on A Charlie Brown Christmas
“I never thought it was such a bad little tree. Maybe it just needs a little love.”
The End of A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
Charlie Brown Christmas Tree - 18"
Amazon Price: $19.98 (as of 06/03/2012)
Now you can have your very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree to help remind you what Christmas is all about.
Charlie Brown Tree Tie
Men's A Most Pathetic Tree Silk Ties by Wild Ties in Red
Amazon Price: (as of 06/03/2012)
Go to your office Christmas party decked out in Charlie Brown tree tie.
Puzzle - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Puzzle - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Amazon Price: $17.04 (as of 06/03/2012)
This is a 550-piece puzzle packaged in a collectible tin. It depicts the scene in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" where Linus lovingly wraps his beloved blue blanket around Charlie Brown's pathetic little tree.
Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Kit
Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Kit (Peanuts (Running Press))
Amazon Price: $8.23 (as of 06/03/2012)
This kit contains a storybook, a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, a shiny ornament to dangle from the branches, and Linus's blanket to wrap around the base.
This little tree and storybook will inspire all to remember the true meaning of Christmas.
More Classic Christmas Cartoons
Charlie Brown picks out a Christmas tree.
Photo Credit
Image above taken from here.
Peanuts Christmas Ornaments
Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!
Photo Credit
Image above from here.
Three Fabulous Christmas Gifts
Three Fabulous Christmas Gifts
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Thank you for stopping by!
Everyone is welcome to comment, including non-squidoo members.
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Jan 19, 2011 @ 10:11 am | delete
- love the lens..I use to watch this all the time
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Tipi
Nov 22, 2010 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- Very sweetly done! Who can resist Charlie Brown? I noticed last year that a department store was selling Charlie Brown Christmas Tree duplicates. I was almost tempted for the cute of it!
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HomeDecoratingDiva Nov 16, 2010 @ 12:14 am | delete
- What a cute lens! I love the Peanuts gang.
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MTF-briguy
Nov 13, 2010 @ 8:04 pm | delete
- Probably one of my favorite classic Chrismas movies of all time! Great movie for a family night!
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