By Jocelyn Buhlman
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even Winter Solstice, there are a lot of reasons to make merry this time of year. To help celebrate the season, we’ve taken a fond look back at how some of our favorite Disney TV shows make the holidays merry and bright.
Phineas and Ferb – “Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation”
Of course Phineas and Ferb want to make the most of their Christmas vacation, but Doctor Doofenshmirtz celebrates Christmas by using his naughty-inator to keep the city of Danville on Santa’s Naughty List. No evil scheme can stop Phineas and Ferb from having holiday fun! With the help of their friends Buford, Baljeet, and Isabella (who is happily celebrating eight days of Hanukkah, but is glad to help out her pals), they put Danville back on the Nice List and keep Christmas Vacation full of fun and good cheer.
Even Stevens – “Heck of a Hanukkah”
The Stevens’ celebration of Hanukkah gets a magical twist when Louis wishes he had never been born after his silly antics ruin everyone’s Hanukkah presents. In a twist on the classic story It’s a Wonderful Life, Louis watches his family’s life if he had never been born and discovers that his silly antics are what brought his family happiness in the first place. Returning to the timeline where he had been born, Louis and the Stevens’ family are able to enjoy their Hanukkah celebration because of the happiness they bring each other.
Kim Possible – “A Very Possible Christmas”
You would think that for an action hero like Kim Possible, the holidays would be full of crazy adventures! However, after receiving a thoughtful Hanukkah gift from Kim, Ron Stoppable decides to take on her spy duties so that she can spend the holidays with her family. It’s a wonderful idea for a gift, but of course, Ron ends up caught up in Doctor Drakken’s nefarious plans and the entire Possible family team up to help save him. But the big mission doesn’t stop the holiday celebrations: Drakken agrees to a seasonal truce and invites everyone over for Christmas dinner. It’s a true miracle for the season!
The Weekenders – “The Worst Holiday Ever”
With a big group of friends, you know there has to be many ways to make merry! All four of the Weekenders celebrate different holidays during December, and together the friends recount the worst experiences they’ve had during their celebrations. But whether it’s Tish’s horrendous Hanukkah, Tino’s wacky Winter Solstice, Carver’s crazy Kwanzaa, or Lor’s crummy Christmas, the friends know that they still have a reason to celebrate, because no matter the holiday, they still have their friendship!
Bear in the Big Blue House – “A Beary Bear Christmas”
Holiday celebration in the Big Blue House is a fun and fuzzy adventure! Bear celebrates Christmas and shares with his friends his favorite Christmas tradition of finding the Christmas berry. Shadow teaches everyone about the celebrations of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, while a stray dog named Jack is invited to celebrate in the Big Blue House—and reminds everyone that no matter what holiday you celebrate during the winter, the most important thing is being able to celebrate with those you care about!
Lilo & Stitch, the Series – “Topper”
Now that Stitch has his own Ohana, he is finally able to celebrate Christmas! Lilo tries to teach him about how Christmas is celebrated in Hawai’I, but soon everyone learns about intergalactic holiday fun when one of Jumba’s experiment pods is mistaken for a Christmas present. Stitch’s first Christmas becomes an adventure to remember, and he learns what makes the season so important to his ‘ohana.
The Proud Family – “7 Days of Kwanzaa”
While the Proud family usually celebrates Christmas during the holiday season, they learn about the traditions of Kwanzaa after inviting a homeless family to join them for Christmas dinner. The family teaches them about the meaning of Kwanzaa and the importance of valuing family and unity over presents and possessions. The Prouds learn an important lesson about the meaning of the holiday season and sharing their support and love with others.
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody – “Christmas at the Tipton”
Celebrating Christmastime at a hotel is already a unique experience, but Zack and Cody’s holiday takes a turn for the unusual when a snowstorm keeps everyone trapped in the Tipton. A couple named Mary and Joseph tries to find a place to stay during the storm, but the Tipton doesn’t have any vacancies. The very pregnant Mary ends up stuck in an elevator with Zack and Cody and the twins help her deliver her baby! Only at the Tipton hotel could such seasonal hijinks end up mirroring the classic Christmas story and give all the hotel’s residents a holiday to remember.
Lizzie McGuire – “Aaron Carter’s Coming to Town”
When we think of a classic Christmas celebration, certain things always come to mind: Christmas lights, gingerbread men, and… early 2000s pop sensation Aaron Carter? For Lizzie McGuire and her friends, Aaron coming to town to film his new music video is the most wonderful time of the year! Not only do Lizzie and her friends get to be extras in Aaron’s new video, but Lizzie gets to share a kiss with Aaron under the mistletoe!