2. Hey Arnold! Arnold's Christmas (1996)
Everyone loves Hey Arnold! and you just knew that its first Christmas episode was going to be something special. In 'Arnold's Christmas' the story focuses on the boarders assigning each other a Secret Santa. It also follows Helga as she frantically tries to find a perfect gift for her beloved 'football-head'. Arnold picks out Mr Hyunh's name and after hearing the tragic story about his lost daughter Mai, he decides to go out and find her. Being a switched on young man Arnold heads straight for the city archives to go through the government records but is prevented from doing so by the city archivist, Mr. Bailey. The scrooge-like figure strikes a deal with Arnold and Gerald that if they boys do his Christmas shopping, he will reveal the information. Although this is amazingly unprofessional and tantamount to child labour Arnold of course agrees and they set out to fulfil Bailey's Christmas list. Despite trying very hard to achieve their goal, the boys end up one item short (Nancy Spumoni snow boots) and are refused the information they need. While the boys have been running around for Mr. Bailey, Helga is gift shopping for Arnold. Upon running into them and hearing about their task she scoffs at them and their Christmas spirit. This all changes when she receives the snow boots Arnold needs for Christmas from her mother and decides to give them to Mr. Bailey. After her impassioned speech about holiday miracles he relents and allows her to search the archives, thus reuniting Mr. Hyunh with his daughter and giving Arnold the best present possible. As usual this is all without Arnold's knowledge and the episode ends as she watches the result of her kindness from afar, wishing him a Merry Christmas. While at times it borders on the saccharine, what self respecting holiday special doesn't? It's a very enjoyable half an hour that reminds you about the importance of kindness and charity during this, the most wonderful time of the year.