As a kid, it was hands-down Santa Claus Is Coming To Town ... after all, Santa did not stick around long enough for me to ask him all those annoying questions about how he came up with his career choice! I also liked that it had a somewhat offbeat sense of humor.

Then as a teenager/college student, it was all about The Year Without a Santa Claus, for one reason and one reason only -- those epic Heat Miser/Snow Miser musical numbers! To this day, that tune is forever burned into my head! Otherwise, this special has a lot of weak moments. Sadly, NBC decided to further marginalize this children's classic by making a LIVE ACTION REMAKE (?!). It aired last night, and I simply refuse to watch something as pointless as this. John Goodman as Santa?! Michael McKean as Snow Miser?!

Which leads me to the one that I actually voted for -- A Charlie Brown Christmas. I liked it as a kid, but its life lesson about the meaning of Christmas is as timeless for adults as it is for kids. Add Vince Guaraldi's classic soundtrack, and it's a winner!

BTW, Rudolph has stayed a consistent #2 throughout all my lifecycle vascilations. It's a great adventure, and a wonderful story of perseverence and valuing those around you who might be a little bit different.