Welcome to Day 13 of our 25 Days of Nostalgia series!
Today, we’re rewinding to a time when Christmas mornings weren’t complete without a marathon of festive cartoons.
Back in the 80s and 90s, while we were eating cereal out of the box, or munching an entire tub of Quality Street and waiting for someone to stop hogging the Radio Times or trying to figure out teletext, these animated gems were part of the glue that held our holiday traditions together.
Whether it was a one-off Christmas special or reruns of beloved classics, these cartoons were a definitive part of our holiday season.
For me, Christmas cartoons were more than entertainment. They were part of the background hum of Christmas Day—the soundtrack of my childhood as I sat surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper, clutching my latest action figure or Sonic the Comic.
15 Christmas Cartoons You’ll Remember From the 80s and 90s
Table of Cartoons
So, grab a your favourite nostalgic Christmas snack, settle in, and let’s relive the Christmas cartoon magic of the 80s and 90s.
1. The Snowman (1982)
“We’re walking in the air…” Admit it, you’re humming it already. This wordless masterpiece captured the magic of Christmas like nothing else. Watching the boy and his snowman soar across the snowy skies was both heartwarming and devastating (we all cried when he melted). It’s the quintessential Christmas tradition that still finds its way onto TV screens.
Why We Loved It: The animation, the music, the emotional rollercoaster—what’s not to love?
Why It’s Timeless: It’s a story of friendship, loss, and fleeting moments of joy. It’s basically the animated version of growing up.
2. Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)
Disney’s retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale was pure Christmas magic. Mickey as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge McDuck as… well, Scrooge, and Goofy as Jacob Marley. It was a star-studded cast of beloved characters teaching us about generosity and redemption, all while wearing tiny Victorian outfits.
Why We Loved It: Familiar faces in a timeless story made it an annual must-watch.
Why It’s Timeless: Scrooge McDuck has never been more relatable.
3. He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985)
What happens when Eternia celebrates Christmas? Pure chaos. Skeletor gets a shot of holiday cheer (imagine that!), and He-Man and She-Ra save the day while teaching us the true meaning of Christmas. This special was a bizarre but brilliant blend of action figures, 80s hairstyles, and festive goodwill.
Why We Loved It: Watching Skeletor—the ultimate villain—begrudgingly play nice was oddly heartwarming.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s peak 80s—we’ll never not love it.
4. Rugrats: The Santa Experience (1992)
If there’s one group of toddlers who knew how to make Christmas entertaining, it was Tommy, Chuckie, and the gang.
This episode had everything—snow, Santa, and Angelica trying to wiggle her way off the naughty list.
I had a great disliking of Rugrats for the longest time, as my brother insisted on watching it all day every day. Thankfully my love for it has been rekindled, as my wife and kids are all big fans, so I can watch and enjoy the nostalgia with them!
We all secretly knew which one of us was the Angelica of the family!
Why We Loved It: It reminded us how magical Christmas felt as kids.
Why It’s Timeless: Rugrats always nailed the balance between humour and heart.
5. Garfield’s Christmas Special (1987)
Garfield might have been a cynical, lasagne-loving cat, but his Christmas special was full of unexpected warmth. Visiting Jon’s family on the farm, Garfield discovers a stash of heartfelt letters and learns about the true meaning of family during the holidays.
(Full episode below)
Why We Loved It: Garfield’s snark balanced perfectly with the special’s sentimentality.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s proof that even the grumpiest among us can find holiday joy.
6. Alvin and the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)
Alvin and his high-pitched antics were a staple of Christmas in the 80s. In this heartwarming special, Alvin gives up his prized harmonica to a sick boy, only to realise that the true gift of Christmas is giving.
Why We Loved It: Catchy songs and heart-melting generosity.
Why It’s Timeless: Sometimes, a little kindness goes a long way.
7. Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon Christmas Marathons
Christmas mornings often meant endless marathons of Tom and Jerry, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Powerpuff Girls. These shows weren’t just fillers—they were lifesavers for exhausted parents trying to keep us entertained.
Why We Loved It: Endless hours of cartoons while the grown-ups argued over turkey timings.
Why It’s Timeless: There’s something universal about cartoons being a Christmas survival tool.
8. The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (1989)
This wasn’t just a Christmas special; it was the first-ever episode of The Simpsons. Watching Homer try to save Christmas after losing his bonus, only to adopt Santa’s Little Helper, tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.
Why We Loved It: It was hilarious, heartfelt, and relatable.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s The Simpsons—need we say more?
9. The Tom and Jerry Christmas Special (1987)
Tom and Jerry’s slapstick chaos took on a festive twist in this Christmas special. Set against snowy backdrops and Christmas carols, the duo’s antics managed to blend hilarity with holiday cheer.
Why We Loved It: Their antics had us laughing out loud, no matter how predictable.
Why It’s Timeless: Who doesn’t love a good cat-and-mouse Christmas chase?
10. Disney’s Holiday Classics
From festive shorts like Pluto’s Christmas Tree to reruns of Snow White and Pinocchio, Disney always had a knack for making the holidays magical. Sitting down to these films felt like the ultimate Christmas treat.
Why We Loved It: Disney’s storytelling magic made the holidays feel extra special.
Why It’s Timeless: Because Disney never goes out of style.
11. A Jetson Christmas Carol (1985)
The Jetsons put a futuristic twist on Dickens’ timeless tale, featuring George Jetson learning the true meaning of Christmas in a world full of flying cars and robots.
Why We Loved It: The perfect combination of sci-fi and holiday magic.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s a reminder that Christmas spirit is universal—even in space.
12. Yogi’s First Christmas (1980)
Yogi Bear wakes up from hibernation just in time for Christmas! This heartwarming special showed Yogi embracing the holiday spirit with his usual mix of charm and mischief.
Why We Loved It: Seeing Yogi celebrate his first Christmas was pure joy.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s a classic tale of discovery and celebration.
13. A Pinky and the Brain Christmas (1995)
Pinky and the Brain’s attempt to take over Christmas resulted in one of the most hilariously chaotic holiday specials ever. Despite Brain’s plans going awry, the duo reminded us of the importance of friendship.
Why We Loved It: The absurdity of their schemes was always entertaining.
Why It’s Timeless: Christmas is better with a little comedic world domination.
14. An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998)
In this tear-jerking adaptation of Dickens’ tale, the dogs of the afterlife come together to save Christmas. For anyone who loved All Dogs Go to Heaven, this special brought the same mix of joy and heartbreak.
Why We Loved It: The emotional depth combined with holiday cheer.
Why It’s Timeless: It’s a touching reminder of redemption and giving.
15. Rocko’s Modern Christmas (1994)
Rocko’s quirky adventures took a festive turn in this Christmas special, featuring his eccentric friends and heartfelt moments that captured the spirit of the holidays.
Why We Loved It: The perfect mix of humour and sentimentality.
Why It’s Timeless: Rocko’s offbeat charm never goes out of style.
Honourable Mentions
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Yr Injan Fach Fentrus. Now, it’s not exactly a Christmas cartoon, but it was a staple of my childhood Christmases in Cardiff. Watching this Welsh-language gem during the festive season was like adding an extra dollop of nostalgia to the holidays.
Recently, I’ve been on a bit of a mission to track it down. I’ve reached out to S4C and The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, but sadly, neither seems to have a copy. If anyone out there happens to have an old VHS of this film kicking about, I’d be forever grateful to see it again! (And yes, I’d return it in one piece—probably.)
Do These Cartoons Hold Up Today?
While these classics are still brilliant windows into a simpler time, modern festive programming feels like it’s leaning into a new kind of energy. Take Home for the Holidays with its absolute banger of a song, Eight Days of Latkes by Ben Schwartz. It’s the kind of humour that leaves you wondering if it’s meant for the kids, the grown-ups, or both. And let’s be honest, you’ll be singing “Eight Days of Latkes” well into the New Year.
Or maybe it’s just that today’s Christmas specials cater to the modern attention span (mine included). As much as I adore The Snowman, my ADHD brain sometimes struggles with its gentle pacing. Modern holiday shows, with their rapid-fire jokes and vibrant visuals, seem custom-built for our screen-obsessed world. They might not have the same timeless charm, but they’re undeniably in tune with today’s audience.
A Christmas Tradition
For me, Christmas was officially just around the corner when The Snowman came on. That wistful, wordless adventure with its iconic tune marked the countdown to the big day. Pair it with Home Alone (which usually played within a day or two), and it felt like the world was wrapping itself in tinsel and fairy lights. Those two were the ultimate signal—if they were on telly, Christmas was only days away.
What Do You Remember?
Which Christmas cartoons from this magical era still hold a place in your heart? Were there any you watched religiously, or some you’ve introduced to your own kids? Join us tomorrow for another nostalgic dive into the past as we continue our advent countdown!
