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Yule Love 'Em! Our 10 Favorite TV Christmas Specials

Count down our picks for the holiday specials that bring joy to the world (11 Photos)

Tom DiChiara on Dec 22, 2012 at 7:46AM

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Yule Love 'Em! Our 10 Favorite TV Christmas Specials

Courtesy of RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS

9. 'The Year Without a Santa Claus' (1974)

Laid up with a cold and disillusioned by kids' failing belief in him, Santa (Mickey Rooney) decides to skip Christmas. But his elves Jingle and Jangle have other plans, and they set out with baby reindeer Vixen to prove that the holiday spirit is still alive. Before they can do that, however, they need to rescue Vixen from the dog pound (long story). But first they need Mrs. Claus' help to convince Mother Nature's sons Heat Miser and Cold Miser to make it snow in steamy Southtown (even longer story). It may sound complicated, but this clever, funny tale is a true Christmas classic -- even if it does have more plot twists than an M. Night Shyamalan thriller.

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