Do You See What I See? Christmas Specials

The 12 days of Christmas are dwindling to a precious few as Dec. 25 approaches. With that in mind, here are 12 of the top remaining yuletide attractions that networks will present in the days to come.

1. “The Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade” (Thursday, ABC): Mickey Mouse and company mark the holiday again at the popular Florida theme park, as Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are the hosts for the third consecutive year. Scheduled performers include Clay Aiken (“American Idol”), Enrique Iglesias, Jessica Simpson and LeAnn Rimes. Several “Brady Bunch” cast members appear at the Disney-MGM Studios.

2. “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Wednesday, NBC): A Christmas Eve viewing tradition since the days when it started every hour on the hour on various stations, director Frank Capra’s 1946 film remains available on that night courtesy of NBC (which also showed it earlier in the holiday season). James Stewart is brilliant in his quintessential role as George Bailey, the Bedford Falls banker who wants to end his life ... until novice angel Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him a Georgeless world.

3. “A Christmas Story” (Wednesday through Thursday, TNT): And speaking of Christmas movie musts, this wistful 1983 favorite is humorist Jean Shepherd’s story of young Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his desire for a Red Ryder BB gun under the tree. This comedy is memorable for so many things -- a tongue stuck to a flagpole, Dad’s (Darren McGavin) prized leg lamp, a younger brother (Scott Schwartz) who sticks his face in mashed potatoes and snorts like a pig -- choosing one favorite scene is a challenge.

4. “The Christmas Shoes” (Sunday, CBS): If the song of the same name moves you to tears, prepare to be an emotional wreck upon seeing this 2002 TV movie version. Rob Lowe stars as a driven attorney who becomes involved in the plight of a youngster and the boy’s terminally ill mother (Max Morrow, Kimberly Williams).

5. “Great Performances” (Tuesday, KVCR; Wednesday, KCET; Thursday, KVCR, KOCE): “The Nutcracker” is a staple of the holidays, given how many dance troupes around the world perform it each December. This program from 2001 is the Royal Ballet’s version, staged by Sir Peter Wright at London’s Covent Garden Opera; Ivan Putrov has the title role.

6. “An American Idol Christmas” (Tuesday, Fox): If you missed it when it first aired at around Thanksgiving, here’s another chance to hear the holiday crooning of stars of the talent competition’s first two seasons. Aiken -- maybe the hardest working man in television this yuletide -- plays host and joins others, including “Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, to harmonize.

7. “A Home for the Holidays” (Tuesday, CBS): In recent years, this special about adoption has become synonymous with the Christmas season. The fifth annual edition features performances by music stars, including Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, as well as testimonials by actors Jamie Foxx (who is an adoptee) and Lauren Holly (an adoptive parent).

8. “A Season for Miracles” (Sunday, Hallmark Channel): She’s been seen chasing bad guys lately as “Karen Sisco,” but Carla Gugino shows her softer side in this engrossing 1999 Hallmark Hall of Fame drama. She plays a woman who is unwilling to give up her incarcerated sister’s two children, so she goes on the lam with them -- and they all end up in a tranquil place that happens to be called Bethlehem. Lynn Redgrave and Patty Duke also star.

9. “Holiday Inn” (Wednesday, Turner Classic Movies): Bing Crosby stars in this 1942 rendering of the Irving Berlin-scored lark about two pals (the other one played here by Fred Astaire) who run a holidays-only resort ... and vie for the same woman (Marjorie Reynolds). This is also the film in which Crosby first sings “White Christmas.”

10. “Biography” (Wednesday, A&E; Network): Just about everything you ever wanted to know about Santa Claus is covered by this episode, which has aired since 1994. The richly illustrated program eschews wilder myths to focus on the real genesis of the legend of Kriss Kringle.

11. “The Greatest Christmas Moments of All Time” (Friday, Fox): OK, so this airs the day after Christmas -- but since the tree still will be up and leftovers will be around, where’s the problem? Tiffani Thiessen (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) hosts this encore special that culls clips from various movies and TV episodes, putting them under such subtitles as “Deck the Halls” and “Up on the Rooftop.”

12. “Die Hard” (next Sunday, Fox): This 1988 action hit may not seem a holiday movie at first blush, but consider that its story line, a takeover of a Los Angeles office building, unfolds on Christmas Eve. Bruce Willis’ New York police detective intends to have a yuletide reunion with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) but runs into lots of trouble thanks to a stylish thief (Alan Rickman) and his gang.

And that’s not all: Willis and Christmas don’t have it any easier in “Die Hard 2,” which also takes place in December.

Jay Bobbins writes for Tribune Media Services.

Cover photograph by Cliff Lipson.