It may have seemed way too early when department stores hung mistletoe and trimmed trees before Halloween haunting, but now the season's really crept up on us. TV offers more than a stocking full of treats to keep you merry while gift-wrapping.
Here's a selective look (times and dates are subject to change):
Cassic Specials
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Everyone's favorite little blockhead takes pity on a tiny tree. Wednesday, 8 p.m. CBS.
The Christmas Toy: Kermit the Frog reveals an enchanted playroom that comes to life. \o7 Wednesday, 7 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. Nickelodeon.\f7
A Garfield Christmas Special: The wry cat reluctantly goes to the country with his owner, Jon, and his dog, Odie. \o7 Dec. 14, 8 p.m. CBS.\f7
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: This TNT one-hour special edition includes the secret life of the bane of Who-ville, followed by a new look at how the late Theodor Geisel's (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) unlovable character came to TV life. Featured are interviews with his widow, Audrey Geisel; his collaborator, Bugs Bunny animator Chuck Jones; composer Albert Hague; Thurl Ravenscroft, the Grinch's singing voice, and Seuss disciple, director Tim Burton. Former "Saturday Night Live" regular Phil Hartman hosts. \o7 Dec. 12, 5 p.m. TNT.\f7
Mickey's Christmas Carol: A Mickey-ized version of the Dickens classic. \o7 Dec. 22, 8 p.m. CBS\f7 .
Muppet Family Christmas: The Muppets sing, tell jokes and celebrate the holidays at Fozzie Bear's mom's house. \o7 Dec. 14, 7 p.m., and Dec. 16, 10 a.m. Nickelodeon.\f7
The Simpsons' "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire": The perennial has Bart and Lisa in a pageant; Homer is a mall Santa; Santa's Little Helper (the dog) joins the family. \o7 Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Fox.\f7
'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Holiday celebrations with a clock maker, a family of mice and a sensitive Claus. \o7 Dec. 21, 8 p.m. CBS.\f7
Family
A Flintstones Christmas Carol: A Stone Age version of the Dickens classic. \o7 Dec. 18, 2 p.m. KCAL\f7 .
It's a Wonderful Tiny Toon Christmas: Buster wants to leave Acme Acres until a guardian angel shows him what the town would be like without him. \o7 Dec. 25, 7 p.m. Fox.\f7
Life With Louis: A Christmas Surprise for Mrs. Stillman: Louis Anderson tells this animated Christmas story from his childhood. \o7 Dec. 18, 8:30 p.m. Fox.\f7
Old MacDonald's Sing-a-Long Farm Moo Tide Greetings Holiday Special: The gang learns about tales and customs from around the world. \o7 Dec. 17, noon, and Dec. 23, 8 a.m. Lifetime.\f7
Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories: "The Christmas Witch,": Angela Lansbury narrates. Young witch-in-training Gloria must prove she's got what it takes to become a Christmas witch. \o7 Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14, 7:30 a.m.; Dec. 25, 7:30 a.m., Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m. Showtime.\f7
Timmy's Gift: A young angel is asked to deliver a crown to the newborn prince in Bethlehem. \o7 Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Dec. 23 at noon and 6 p.m. Family Channel.\f7
Timmy's Special Delivery: Timmy the angel answers the holiday prayers of two children. \o7 Monday, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 23, 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Family Channel.\f7
Movies
Babes in Toyland (1961): Stars Ray Bolger, Tommy Sands, Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello in the Disney version of the Victor Herbert operetta. \o7 Monday, 1 p.m.; Dec. 17, 5 p.m.; Dec. 25, 2 p.m. Disney.\f7
The Bells of St. Mary's (1945): Bing Crosby stars with Ingrid Bergman in this sequel to "Going My Way." \o7 Dec. 25, 11:45 p.m. TNT.\f7
The Bishop's Wife (1947): Cary Grant is an angel who visits marrieds Loretta Young and David Niven during the holidays to help them find the meaning of Christmas. \o7 Dec. 19, 7 p.m. TNT.\f7
A Christmas Carol (1938): Reginald Owen is Scrooge in MGM's adaptation. \o7 Dec. 19, 9:25 p.m. TNT.\f7
Christmas in Connecticut (1992): Arnold Schwarzenegger directed this remake about a TV hostess who opens her home to a real-life hero. Starring Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristofferson and Tony Curtis. \o7 Dec. 25, 4:15 p.m. TNT.\f7
Christmas Eve (1986): Loretta Young returned to the screen after 23 years to play an eccentric determined to reunite her grown children with their children. \o7 Dec. 24, 5 p.m. KCAL.\f7
A Christmas Romance (1994): A young widow, her two daughters and a cranky banker are snowed in during Christmas. Olivia Newton-John and Gregory Harrison star. \o7 Dec. 18, 9 p.m. CBS.\f7
A Christmas Story (1983): Jean Shepherd's gentle recollections of Christmases past and a boy who wants a BB gun. \o7 Dec. 18, 4:30 p.m. and Dec. 21, 11 a.m. TNT\f7 .
It's a Wonderful Life: The classic's only airing this year. In Christmases past, the Jimmy Stewart/Donna Reed tear-jerker was airing all over the channel lineup but now is no longer in public domain. \o7 Saturday, 8 p.m. NBC.\f7
King of Kings (1962): Jeffrey Hunter stars in the Christ story, as told by Nicholas Ray. \o7 Sunda\f7 y\o7 , 1:30 p.m. TNT.\f7
