The Christmas Toy
Tags: flashback

Plot synopsis:
When no people are around, the toys still play in the playroom. But since a toy will be frozen forever if a person catches it out of position, they have to be very careful. It's Christmas Eve, and Rugby the Tiger remembers how he was the favorite Christmas toy last year and wants to be the favorite again this year, as not to be replaced by another toy. However, he doesn't stop to think that if Jamie unwrapped him again this year, she'd see him out of his normal place that she usually puts him and he'd be frozen forever. It's up to Apple the Doll, whom Rugby supplanted as favorite toy, to tell him what's in store. But Rugby won't believe her, and tries to get into the Christmas package and lets Meteora, Queen of the Asteroids loose. Unfortunately, she doesn't know she's a toy, and thinks she's landed among aliens. And it's up to Apple, Mew (the Cat's toy mouse), and the other toys to get Rugby out of the box and Meteora back in it before they're found and frozen forever.
But Mew is caught, and frozen. Only then does Rugby realize what a good friend Mew has been to him, and how selfishly he has been acting. Rugby sings, telling Mew how much he cares for him. This brings Mew back to life, and then the other toys also know how to revive their other frozen friends.
On the morning of Christmas Day, Jamie and Jessie enjoy their new toys alongside their current toys. While the kids are away, the toys sing "Together at Christmas." Kermit joins in at the end of the special.

Review: A Christmas classic!.
Imagine being the light of someone's life, the favorite plaything of a child, only to feel rejected when a new plaything gets in the way?"The Christmas Toy" is a 1986 made-for-TV Christmas special that aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC-TV) in December 1986, and centers around a playroom full of toys, including Rugby, a self-centered tiger, Apple, a sweet-natured curly-haired doll, Balthazar, an aged teddy-bear, and Mew, a catnip toy mouse, among others.
The toys come alive when no one is around.
On Christmas Eve, Rugby learns that he will be "replaced" by a new favorite toy, and is determined to get inside the box of the new toy.
Rugby and Mew go on an adventure to the living room, where Rugby opens the box of Meteora, a She-Ra-esque doll that causes havock.
When Rugby and Mew go back to the playroom, Mew lags behind, and becomes frozen, just like the cute little clown doll, Ding-a-Ling.
Can Rugby still compete for his owner's heart?This was a great program that, according to my mom, never aired again.
It took forever to be released on video, but those of us who saw it in 1986, and even have it on tape, remember it fondly.
I have mine on a tape my parents made in 1986, and it has the old "Kraft" recipe commercials, and my best friend and I thought the recipes were disgusting looking.
I love how Kermit hosts the program, and the characters are the same voices as the great Muppets we all know and love.My favorite parts are when Rubgy opens the box to find Meteora, the introduction with Kermit (I LOVE KERMIT!), and the ending, which I won't give away!This was well-done and beautiful to watch, and a great Christmas story that teaches viewers not to be conceited, and that you're never forgotten.
Definitely watch this at Christmas time this year, and remember an undying classic for all ages..
Christmas Favourite.
I watch this Henson film every Christmas & it never fails to move me.
It has that essential combination of tears, laughter, story, great characters & song.Rugby, a conceited, cuddly tiger & Mew, a sweet, loyal cat toy lead an irresistable cast.
Their friends include a doll, a ride-on horse, an old teddy, a robot & every kind of toy you can imagine.
Will capture the hearts of adults & children alike.
Together at Christmas.
A stuffed tiger named Rugby was a little girl's Christmas toy last year.
Wanting to relive that experience, he intends to sneak into the box of this year's Christmas toy and replace it.
His toy friends try to stop him before he's seen by a person.
If people see the toys when they're moving around, the toys will be frozen forever.This is a delightful Christmas special from Jim Henson with Kermit appearing at the beginning and end.
Some good songs (and one not so good near the beginning) with absolutely charming characters and a lovely story.
As other reviewers have mentioned, there's an obvious similarity between this and Toy Story.
This is something Muppets fans or fans of great old Christmas TV specials will certainly appreciate..
A timeless Christmas jewel for all ages to enjoy.
Fans of Jim Henson, like me, will simply love The Christmas Toy. I love Christmas, toys and Jim Henson's work so The Christmas Toy was a perfect treat.The visuals are splendid, right from the camera work, the toys themselves, the set design and the colours.
The music delights too, with hummable melodies and lyrics that really sparkle with wit, freshness and poignancy.Story-wise, The Christmas Toy has lots of charm and heart, and succeeds in appealing to children and adults.
The writing has a perfect balance of humour and sentiment without overdoing either.Might I also mention how adorable the characters are and how consistently good the voice work is from everybody?
Overall, a jewel that anybody would love, albeit sadly underrated.
10/10 Bethany Cox. perfect.
This is a great movie I always enjoyed as a kid watching every Christmas.
I was only four when the movie came out but my parents taped it and we watched it every year after that point.
My sister now has my parents copy and she watches it with her children.
My niece loves it.
It is a great Christmas movie for all ages.
I wish they would re-release it on DVD.
I love the movie and want a new copy of it.
I looked for it on amazon and someone was trying to sell a used VHS copy for $100.
I could not believe it.
I would prefer it on DVD due to VHS tape not working after time.
I would even enjoy seeing it on TV again.
This is a movie to share with generations to come.
Animation of the past shared with the future..
The Christmas Toy. As the mother of two females, I would recommend this movie, even to the young of heart.
We first saw this movie when my youngest, must have been around 2 1/2.
Her older sister, who is now an elementary educator was around 9 1/2.
We loved this movie.
I had taped this to a VHS tape that no longer works.
I have been looking for it for quite some time and watching for it on TV.
I was afraid I had the title incorrect.
As we are about to become grandparents, for the first time, I would love to obtain a DVD for our future generations to enjoy.
I would love to have my (soon to be) grandchildren see this "classic" when they are visiting their grandparents.
What a wonderful tradition we can start.
It's a wonderful movie and I am so glad I finally found it.
Thank you Jim Henson!.
Toy Story inspiration.
Two reviewers have already mentioned 'Toy Story'.
I can't help but wonder if John Lassetter had seen this special before he made that movie.
This isn't in any way to take away from the genius of either Henson or Lassetter, both of whom have been named as latter day Disneys, a sentiment I agree with.There are some intriguing similarities:1 - The overall idea of toys coming alive.2 - The theme of a toy being replaced in a child's affections and how the toy might feel.3 - Toys to the rescue!4 - A science-fictional toy believing they are real.
Can't you just see Meteora and Buzz Lightyear hooking up?!.
Child's Play.
On Xmas Eve 1986 I saw the first 10 minutes of this special but I had to go out and I missed the rest of it.
The idea of toys coming alive might not seem like such a new idea in post-Toy Story world, but since this is live-action, and uses the talents of Jim Henson, I'd prefer this over the Pixar behemoth.The story is virtually identical to Toy Story, with toy boss Rugby (a stuffed lion) not too keen on his rule being usurped by the imminent unwrapping of this year's present.
The Christmas Toy has a new edge though in that if the humans catch them out of their reset position they remain frozen forever.It's shot and lit in a magical way though it goes on just a bit too long.
I am still glad I finally managed to figure out what exactly it was, it only took me 27 years.