Christmas Eve on Sesame Street (1978 TV Movie) User Reviews

Best Sesame Street Christmas

[ryanward-45039 · 9/10 · 15 December 2021]

There's a ton of Sesame Street Christmas specials out there to choose from, but I'm going for the one that's for old school fans like myself and this one is by far the best.

The plot involves Big Bird trying to solve the mystery of how Santa gets through the chimneys and another plot is Ernie and Bert trying to get the perfect gifts for each other by sacrificing their prized items they hold dear.

This really warms your heart and this an excellent Christmas special. It even have some funny moments, my most favorite part is Cookie Monster trying to write a letter to Santa with every piece of equipment available and that was freaking hilarious. For the rarity the original songs are quite enjoyable. Overall this Sesame Street Christmas special really brings out the Christmas season with great laughs, heartwarming moments and songs from the Muppets we all know and love, this one is a definite watch over the holidays.

I never watched this as a kid...

[librarylily · 8/10 · 24 December 2022]

I never watched this movie as a kid, so the element of nostalgia that shades most people's perceptions of it isn't there for me. Which makes my absolute adoration of this movie all the more impressive- I watched it as a young adult with no kids and still saw so much joy in it, and was brought back into that feeling of love and whimsy that comes from Christmas at childhood. Very few movies have given me that feeling; cynicism has infected modern film far too much. But this one, with all of its sweetness, sincerity, and love, has instantly become a classic and one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves along with other specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas that it deserves.

Can Big Bird find out how Santa Claus comes down "skinny" chimneys?

[Mark-AA84 · 8/10 · 18 December 2021]

This is Sesame Street.'a first ever holiday special, even before Elmo was around and during the time Mr. Hooper was still alive. Big Bird is curious to know, no thanks to Oscar the Grouch, how Santa Claus comes down the chimney when he is so chubby. Different people and kid have different ideas on how he does it.

My favorite part was where Cookie Monster tries to write to Santa asking for cookies and eats his pencil and the typewriter. That is the part I cracked up the most.

If you like Sesame Street from decades past, give this holiday special a watch..

Brings back great memories

[21bostoncalifornia · 10/10 · 17 December 2002]

I first saw this when I was about 4 and I've watched it every Christmas since. It is still entertaining, funny, and heartwarming. From the opening scene at the ice skating rink to the songs to Big Bird's exchanges with Oscar the Grouch. Oscar the Grouch's song is great: "I hate Christmas". Probably the best in the whole movie is Bert and Ernie's scene with Mr. Hooper. Such a shame he died.

Kermit the Frog is funny, too. These were the good days of Sesame Street, before Elmo-mania.

One of the best Christmas specials ever!

[Indyfan82 · 3 December 2002]

I can't believe nobody else has commented on this yet. This is definitely one of the best Christmas specials ever, for any age. I watch this almost every Christmas. It's a fun video to enjoy. Bert, Ernie, The Count, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Kermit all go ice skating, which is fun to watch. They sing Feliz Navidad. Bert and Ernie act out the classic O. Henry story "The Gift of the Magi", with each selling a precious possession to buy the other something, only to render each other's gifts useless without the items they sold. Mr. Hooper is on there too and that's really neat seeing him on there. Big Bird, Kermit, and Grover all do interviews with children, trying to find out how Santa Claus gets down the chimney. Big Bird is worried about people getting gifts at Christmas if Santa Claus can't fit down the chimney. Of course, this is prompted by Oscar the Grouch's teasing, who is actually sorry and worried about Big Bird at the end. The movie is very fun, filled with great songs, and really funny moments, like watching Cookie Monster try to send a letter to Santa Claus without eating his writing utensils in anticipation of the cookies he's going to ask for. You can get this movie on VHS video at Amazon.com and now it's on DVD.

Love this little movie

[nlicata13 · 10/10 · 17 November 2006]

I have to say, I grew up on this movie and it is the best! I am 29 years old now, and I am thrilled that you can now buy it on DVD. I can't wait to continue the Christmas tradition from when I was a little girl watching it with my sister and brother and parents, and one day soon watch it with my children!!! If anyone is considering this movie for your children, I highly recommend it! As anyone can see, Sesame Street is the best, it's sweet and always educational. There are little lessons in every story line in this movie, not to mention the music is great. Thank you Sesame Street for providing children (and parents) with so much joy!

Charming Christmas special

[DoobieKeebler · 10/10 · 17 December 2002]

Christmas Eve is upon the entire Sesame Street gang in this funny and sweet one-hour television special. Oscar the Grouch has Big Bird worried about Santa Claus arriving and bringing everyone presents. Meanwhile, Bert and Ernie struggle to get something nice for each other in a brilliant re-telling of "Gift of the Magi." And Cookie Monster is having trouble conveying to Santa Claus just what he would like for Christmas. Filled with laughter (the scenes with Kermit and Grover questioning the kids are priceless!), music, and all-around Christmas magic, "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street" is a wonderful Christmas special, and provided childhood memories that I will always treasure.

A Holiday Treat for Kids at Heart

[oscar1667 · 10/10 · 4 December 2002]

Everyone has grown up with Sesame Street (at least I did) and this movie was one of my favorites, and still is. I was cleaning out for a garage sale and found the tape of this movie. I immediately went upstairs and popped it in, even though it was the middle of August, and I had flashbacks of watching this movie when I was 3 years old.

Of course it is hard to find now, probably out of print, but I still have my beat up old tape of this, that I now take good care of.

Yes, I am an adult now, and every Christmas season, I revist this movie to rekindle what it was like to be a child.

If you can find it, this is a movie for anyone who grew up watching Sesame Street, and a movie for the vulnerable kid inside us who still believes in magic, something we need in the world today.

9/10

wonderful

[tolmie · 10/10 · 24 December 2005]

i grew up with the joy that is sesame street, so needless to say, i enjoy anything that will take me back to those times in my life! my family has owned this VHS for years, now, & every single time i come home for Christmas, i skip over the "miracle on 34th street" or "it's a wonderful life" type of movies in order to watch this film. it's an absolutely fabulous treat for the Christmas season! every year my Christmas eve tradition is to watch this movie & i still cry whenever i see it! i would definitely suggest that anyone & everyone who might have ever enjoyed sesame street should watch this movie with friends & family over the holiday season!

A Tender Sweet Christmas Special

[wm-tucker · 10/10 · 19 December 2020]

My kids grew up on this special and it remains as wonderful as it does timeless. Oscar's nasty question gives way to a presentation of the magic of Christmas. I love it even more now in my '60s with my grandkids growing up in a world where it feels tenderness and kindness are in short supply.

"He Sneaks in the House on Thanksgiving and Hides in the Dryer."

[bblack1-699-968577 · 10/10 · 4 June 2013]

I don't know if I can go into detail about why this special is so good. It's a classic. It's heart warming, it's charming, and it's beautiful. What I like about this Christmas special is that nothing seems overdone here. This story isn't told through whimsical or magic; it's told through the innocence of children and the care and concern of family.

One reason this special stands out is because, unlike a lot of modern Christmas specials, this one doesn't say Santa Claus or presents make Christmas. Ernie and Bert find the joy of Christmas when they selflessly give the best that they have for the sake of the other person. Big Bird doesn't learn how Santa gets through the chimney, but he finds the love of Christmas when he embraces the warmth and care the Sesame Street residents have for him.

This special is also funny. I love the scene where Kermit tells Big Bird the answers he received regarding how Santa gets down the chimney. "He sneaks in the house on Thanksgiving and hides in the dryer." Isn't that a great answer? I like the scenes with Cookie Monster; he proves that there isn't anything he won't eat!

It's "Sesame Street" at its best. This is a fantastic Christmas special. One of the things the Muppets do best is show the joy and goodness of the Christmas holiday season, and "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street" really shows it! It's a wonderful gift to you from Sesame Street. Merry Christmas! BOOYIKA!

Better than Elmo.

[earwoodwyvy · 2/10 · 8 July 2019]

Even though this is WAY better than Elmo, Sesame Street doesn't make good Christmas specials. Listen to Aikatsu's Christmas songs! They'll please you!

Great movie!!

[emmynjas · 10/10 · 1 December 2005]

This is the best Christmas movie!! I grew up watching and can't go a year without it. Its a classic & I definitely agree they should continue to show it!! It has qualities that new Christmas specials don't incorporate anymore & it would be wonderful to show to a new generation!!! I also had it on a fuzzy aged VHS and just ordered it on DVD for this Christmas. I can't wait to show it to my kids in a few years as they get older!!!! If you've seen this write to PBS to ask them to keep showing it!! Show it to your kids... its funny, cute, includes all the favorite characters and teaches important lessons about giving and the holiday spirit. Bert & Ernie still make me cry happy tears each year and remind me what the holidays are really about!!!

Needed

[messi8605-934-965055 · 10/10 · 28 November 2020]

If there's one Christmas special that needs to come back to prime time tv on a major network it's this one. It won't because it's too good. We can't have a "holiday special" and everyone of different races and religions getting along and singing together and wishing each other a Happy Chanukah and a Merry Christmas at the same time.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS SPECIAL EVER!!!!!!!

[ConnerBonner · 28 March 2004]

Ok, this is one of the best Christmas specials i have ever seen in my whole freakin life!!!!

By the way I am already 15, and I can happily say that this is my favorite Christmas special other than, A Muppet Christmas Carol.

But this movie is the best because of all of the great music, Keep Christmas With You, that song is kind of addicting, and if you have not seen this movie, you have to go buy it next time you see it.

This movie was easliy the best Sesame Street production ever!!

The Best!

[Lucystone91 · 10/10 · 23 December 2022]

I am 53 years old and still watch this! My children watched it in a VHS and now we stream it! This is what the magic of Christmas is. I am so glad I grew up with Sesame Street. No drama. No politics. Just good, festive fun. Gather your family and watch this beautiful, funny, touching Christmas movie! The songs are so beautiful. We still know all the words! I always sing the " Keep Christmas With You" song to my children after Christmas. My favorite is Bert, but Kermit makes a surprise appearance here too. Each of my kids has a favorite scene. Watching this year is bittersweet, as Bob recently passed.

I have warm fuzzies about this show

[dtucker86 · 10/10 · 24 September 2023]

Mine was the first generation to grow up watching Sesame Street that premiered the year Nixon became President and men landed on the moon and it is still going strong today, three generations have watched it. Jim Henson would be so proud of the wonderous legacy he left for all of us making learning easy and fun for so many kids. I remember this special well and nostalgically because it was the last Christmas that I still believed in Santa Claus. It features Oscar singing a Scrooge like song called I Hate Christmas and Big Bird trying to solve the mystery of how Santa can get down chimney's. The thing that I loved most about this show was the Beautiful song Keep Christmas With You that reminds each of us to keep the spirit of love and joy in our hearts all year round not just on December the 25th.