From “The Great Pumpkin” to “Thanksgiving” to Christmas” it’s the Charlie Brown stamps on our holiday plannings.
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006 | Holiday
I used to measure the holiday season by when the “Charlie Brown” specials were on t.v.
I always looked forward to the first airing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”. With popcorn in lap and face just inches from the t.v I would empathize with Linus in his quest to see the “Great Pumpkin”. Of course poor Charlie Brown was always the one to get jipped when Trick-or-Treating, always noting, “I got a rock”. It’s almost like when my parents always had peanuts around the house, as my dad didn’t allow sugary snacks so I think we were the house most passed by as it got branded “the Peanut house”. Now I hear even some folks give out
toothbrushes and toothpaste during Halloween. What???
Either way, it’s just the catapult that brings us into the fall season and who could forget the “Charlie Brown, Thanksgiving”. Where Peppermint Patty would just sort of barrel her way into Charlie Brown’s house and then invite her and all the other Peanuts gang over to Charlie’s for Thanksgiving. Talk about a pushy friend. Then she complains about the delicious gourmet that poor snoopy slaved over. I mean it takes a lot to pop popcorn, toast bread and butter it, and what is Thanksgiving without pretzels. I mean who does Peppermint Patty think she is anyway? I know I felt a kinship with her, but only because I had her hair and freckles, but really I’m certainly not as picky as she is. The best is Tweety…. oh sweet tweety so willing and able to help snoopy with the decorations, Hmmm maybe I should get one. Oh but then our kitty would probably want to eat it, but no, I don’t have a kitty… if I had a kitty I would be worried, but since I don’t……
Ah, then after a nice week off it’s BAM, shopping, caroling, shopping and more shopping to find that perfect gift. I always imagined having the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. That somehow magically turned into a full sparkling tree after a few ornaments and lights are put on it. One curious thing though is what and who ever thought of an “aluminum” Christmas tree anyway? Ah well. I hate to force the speed of time into already the holiday rant, but that’s just what the Charlie Brown Holiday movies do for me. I love them and will keep on loving them. I only wish I could have recorded them as a younster, it would be a riot to see the commercials that were around then now. 
So, Happy watching. I Have these movies all on DVD now and can watch them anytime, but there is something magical for some reason when I watch them via T.V. broadcast. To think of all the other, youngters and parents watching it as the same time as me? Are they laughing with me… or empathizing for Charlie Brown like me? especially when that darn Lucy tells Charlie to kick that football and we ALL know she’s just going to pull it away from him and humiliate him.. she’s so mean…. or even craving candy corn and pretzels for Thanksgiving.. like me? Either way. These are the special moments I crave during this time of year.
Cheers.
See the official website here: http://www.comics.com/comics/peanuts/
P.S. you all know what I’m going to say…. yes, I still want a kitty. Maybe I’ll get one for Christmas? With a little bow
4 Comments to From “The Great Pumpkin” to “Thanksgiving” to Christmas” it’s the Charlie Brown stamps on our holiday plannings.
A goal of mine is to own the first ten years or so of Peanuts reprintsthat’re slowly but surely being released; those are my favorite years, when the characters were still a little wet behind the ears, and prone to a bit of subversive behavior. And, I just love how he drew the characters in those first years.
I don’t have the DVDs but I share your enthusiasm for watching the shows seasonally. I try to catch them on TV if I can. One of these days I’ll either spring for a set or I’ll borrow them from someone and make copies
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Thanks for all your hard work last weekend; it really showed. And it shows ON MAH BELLY now. We always have a good time with you guys.
My dearest… cousin or 2nd cousin by marriage (what’s it called when you are married to my cousin?)
Anyway, its Woodstock, not Tweety!!!!
Being the snoopy/peanuts fanatic that I am, I’m glad to hear someone else appreciates the old classics. And interesting to see it from someone else view.
cheers, Terri
My favorite bit now that I’m grown up about the Charlie Brown movies is the music. That Vince Guaraldi piano stuff is just cool.
Thanks, Snooks! - Yeah, I love the older, peanuts stuff, where their heads are even more oval than round. Good stuff. You can borrow my DVD’s anytime. I think we still even have your Lost 2nd season. Good stuff.
Terri: Thanks for keeping me straight, how dare I confuse the Warner Brother’s tweety with the bright, cute and charming Woodstock of Charles Schultz. I promise it won’t happen again.
GD: I know I LOVE the Vince Guiraldi CD’s great stuff. My favorite is “Skating”.
November 2, 2006