Weekend Rewind: Classic Christmas TV

The 1985 Farmers Santa Parade. Photo / NZ on Screen

Opinion

While it may seem incomprehensible, two major yuletide milestones will have clocked over by Monday; the one-month countdown to Christmas and tomorrow’s annual Farmers Santa Parade. NZ On Screen’s Nicky Harrop gets into the spirit of things with some Christmas television classics.

In a time when Santa seems to hit the malls in June (and Easter Eggs feel like they're in store from Boxing Day), it can be hard to find holiday joy amongst a seamless mashup of marketing. Taking us back to more simple times, these classic TV moments highlight some of the great things about having a Kiwi Christmas.

1985 Farmers Santa Parade

An Auckland institution for 81 years, the Farmers Santa Parade sees a gaggle of floats and entertainers descend upon Queen St in the lead-up to each Christmas. This TV special from 1985 is viewed through the eyes of seven-year-old Sally, as she waits for an audience with the big man. Aucklanders may spot an appearance from another familiar Santa, the giant (if a little creepy) mechanical version who currently resides on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets. Back in 1985 he still had the wink and the waggly finger.

The Graham Kerr Show

It's bad news for those of us planning a last minute domestic frenzy; according to this 1965 episode of The Graham Kerr Show, those Christmas cakes should have been baked back in June. Still, there's more top tips to be had from New Zealand's first celebrity chef - how to stop scrambled eggs drying out (add cream), when to batter oysters (never), and the recipe for a festive dessert extravaganza called 'Long White Cloud.'

Ask Your Auntie Christmas Special

How to cope with Christmas? What to feed your guests? Easy - just Ask Your Auntie. This 2007 special was the final swansong of Maori Television's popular agony aunt show. There's plenty of no-nonsense holiday advice on offer ("Get your kids away from the TV...except when you're watching us!"), along with performances from the Tama Waipara Band and singer Ringiringi Manawaiti.

Beauty and the Beast Xmas Special 1982

Comedian Te Radar embraces seasonal sustainability; tackling Christmas lunch for 17 using only food he has hunted or grown himself. Is Modern Christmas Sustainable? sees him shooting a turkey, raiding the vege garden and pulling together a rustic spread that would make Annabel Langbein proud. Things get momentarily awkward when his young nieces and nephews meet the orphaned turkey chick, but overall it's a compelling argument for keeping things simple these holidays.

Modern Christmas Sustainable?

Comedian Te Radar embraces seasonal sustainability; tackling Christmas lunch for 17 using only food he has hunted or grown himself. Is Modern Christmas Sustainable? sees him shooting a turkey, raiding the vege garden and pulling together a rustic spread that would make Annabel Langbein proud. Things get momentarily awkward when his young nieces and nephews meet the orphaned turkey chick, but overall it's a compelling argument for keeping things simple these holidays.

Goodnight Kiwi Christmas

If all this talk of Christmas has you exhausted, could be time to call it a night, with an NZ On Screen favourite, Goodnight Kiwi. This Christmas version was commissioned for the 2008 holiday season, returning the Kiwi and the Cat from a long off-screen hibernation.

• You can see more Christmas content here, in NZ On Screen's Christmas Collection