The Most Evil Christmas Special

 

Actually tSWHS has nothing to do with Christmas.

I know I'm a month late, but I have a very Christmassy observation about a special I've seen nearly every year; more so than I've seen It's a Wonderful Life, but less than a Christmas Carol:

Charles M. Schulz

I'm talking about the 1965 Christmas special based on the beloved comic strip Peanuts, sponsored by Coca-Cola. Did you know A Charlie Brown Christmas, which I love, and will continue to watch, is actually somewhat evil. 

Professional Debby Downer and precocious little sister.

Charlie Brown, apparently, suffers from chronic seasonal depression, because he will not lighten the fuck up through most of the runtime. I think it's funny how Sally is excited for Christmas presents and Charlie Brown has crippling ennui about it. It's classic holiday fun (really), and it has a simple, evergreen message. It's just too bad that the main visual metaphor for the over commercialization of Christmas is the Aluminum Christmas tree.

Pretty trees made from recyclable aluminum

What was Sparky's problem anyway? Real trees are cool and all, but there's nothing wrong with aluminum trees. You can guess where I'm going with this. It used to be pretty common to have these ornate, environmentally friendly, reusable Christmas trees until this special aired in '65. So, instead, the norm is to buy mostly plastic trees that last for four or five years (if that), then sit in a landfill forever.

I think we should bring back aluminum trees. They are still on the market. I'm definitely going that way, next time.


Anyway, (belated) happy holidays.



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