🎄 Fresh from 1996 comes a Christmas tale that’ll make you cry, but only because it’s being told by an onion. 

Anthony Strand hops along for the ride as we buzz back to the VeggieTales’ first Christmas special, in which the only children’s toy that comes with a working circular saw embarks on a quest to find the true reason for the season. 

📺 You can watch the official version of “The Toy That Saved Christmas” for free on YouTube, or the original 1996 version on the Internet Archive. 
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💬 Topics & Tangents: 

Differences between the original and the reanimated version from 1997. 

“Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.” 

“Most folks call ’em green onions, but they’re really scallions.” 

This Mr. Nezzer is not the previously seen Nebby K. Nezzer, but his brother, Wally P. Nezzer, who’s not as cleverly named. 

The original vs. the new, improved Bunny Song. 

The shelves of Buzzsaw Louies predate the shelves of Buzz Lightyears in “Toy Story 2.” 

Ken Cavanagh (Buzzsaw Louie) may have authored this Medium post from 2020: “Leave Jesus Out of It. Viruses don’t care what you believe.” 

“The Dead Sea Squirrels,” by Mike Nawrocki. 

Today’s TV Trope: Blatant Burglar. 

Doctors in the hallway in “Muppets From Space.” 

What do you call a group of penguins? 

Two More Eggs: CGI Palz. 

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📼 Commercials: 

VeggieTales: “The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree” album (2005) 

The Incredible, Edible Egg: Wisecracks (1991) 

Mouse Trap (1990) 

The Studio Demands It! 

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“VeggieTales” and “The Toy That Saved Christmas” © 1996 Big Idea Productions. 

Theme song by Bronwen’s Ghost. 
Full show notes with links at adventcalendar.house. 
Hosted by The Retro Network.