It was 1956 when author Phyllis McGinley first published her story about the year that Santa Claus decides to take the holiday off. Santa isn't feeling well. In addition, for some years now he's been sensing that holiday spirit is running low. No one will notice, he figures, if he sits Christmas out this time. In 1974 a Rankin/Bass TV special based on the narrative premiered. Mrs. Claus, two elves, and a boy from America set out to prove Santa wrong, leading them to encounters with the Snow Miser and Heat Miser, who get two memorable song-and-dance numbers along the way.
