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Yogi's First Christmas

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hey hey, Boo Boo! Yogi's Christmas caper is a keeper.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    A few sundry facts are thrown in for good measure: that salt melts ice, that eels are categorized as fish, and that orderly behavior when trimming the Christmas tree is required so as not to break ornaments. The rhymes that Yogi comes up with are fun to riff on with kids, too eg: "Hey hey, I'll join you in a libretto with my female-like falsetto."

  • Messages:

    In Yogi's attempts to keep Jellystone Lodge from being sold he shows what he thinks the holidays are about: being together and having fun. There are gifts given at Christmas, but the focus is on how much fun the characters have playing games, catching fish, and skating.

  • Role models:

    The adults in this cartoon set decent boundaries and are respected when they give directions. Yogi is a classic anti-hero, meaning that he does not necessarily deserve the success that he accrues, but he is so charming that he is in like Flynn, hey hey!

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Snively and Herman the Hermit plot against the group of celebrants at the Jellystone Lodge. They attempt to derail Yogi's skating and skiing efforts, placing him in danger. They steal Christmas ornaments and even hijack a helicopter, but no one is hurt.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Cindy the Bear is crazy for Yogi. She hangs mistletoe from every crossbeam and sings a song about getting kissed by him ("I'm not too sure how far I'll go."). But her efforts are comical. What does Yogi say in response? "I'm late. I gotta go check the bobsled."

  • Language:

    Snively calls the holiday revelers "dumb-dumbs." The ill-tempered cook calls Yogi and Boo Boo "dunderheads" and "lamebrains." 

  • Consumerism:

    Yogi loves his snacks. He dreams of picnic baskets at night. In fact, Santa gives him a picnic basket for Christmas.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Yogi's First Christmas was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that this musical cartoon from 1980 (re-released for the 2009 holiday rush) is a fun one for kids and adults (unlike more recent kids-only My Little Pony and Mickey Mouse fare). Yogi does have an ardent admirer in the form of Cindy Bear, who takes enthusiastic advantage of mistletoe to give Yogi kisses. She sings songs about snagging Yogi, and even says she is "ready and willing." Yogi's response? "It ain't easy being a dreamboat."

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about crushes. Are Cindy's singing advances toward Yogi just silly fun or not? How does Yogi handle his suitor?
  • What makes a good holiday special? Which ones are just fun for kids and which ones are fun for the whole family? What are your family's favorites? Do you watch them every year?
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More on Yogi's First Christmas

What’s the Story?

The setting is Christmastime at Jellystone Park, and Ranger Smith is driving Snagglepuss, Huckleberry Hound, and the gang to the Jellystone Lodge for some holiday fun. As they gear up for a big celebration, their music awakens a certain pair of bears who should be hibernating for the winter. Just in time, too, because this lodge is in danger of being sold "for financial reasons." The said owner of the lodge, Mrs. Throckmorton, is going to join the festivities with her nephew Snively for a last bash before she puts the lodge up for sale. Yogi and Boo Boo find themselves being mistaken as waiters, but are soon getting swept into the holiday spirit. Since bears usually hibernate all winter long, Yogi has never seen a Christmas and he makes it his goal to stay awake for the holiday. Can he stay awake? Even more importantly: can he help save the lodge?
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Is It Any Good?

Before there was Garifield, there was Yogi Bear: the picnic-basket obsessed bear who's charmed audiences with his suave style since 1961. This full-length movie highlights the most charming facets of Yogi's appeal. He's got an appetite, he's got talent, he's good with the ladies, and he knows how to bust a rhyme. Who else in the cartoon pantheon wakes from a deep winter's sleep to say: "Hey hey hey, I'm going into a coma/ over that tantalizing aroma"? And there are enough interesting side stories to keep even the most restless holiday viewer interested until the end. A very nice alternative to the typical Christmas fare. And it's funny to boot.
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Movie Details

Studio: Warner Bros., Director: Ray Patterson
Run time: 98 minutes
DVD release: 11/24/2009
MPAA Rating: NR

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