it's no secret that Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have a special place in my family's hearts. while we enjoy them all year long, there's something about Holiday time that makes us want to curl up in front of the television and watch one of our favorite Peanuts specials. it's a long time tradition for our family, and many families before us - for the past 50 years to be exact.
Peanuts Worldwide is kicking off a year-long celebration of 50 years of A Charlie Brown Christmas! December 2014 marks the 50th year anniversary and 50th time the beloved special will air on television. To launch the celebration we were able to chat with another Jill, Jill Schulz, the youngest of Charles M. Schulz's five children, about her personal memories of her Dad; the family Christmas traditions that she shared with her siblings Meredith, Amy, Monte, and Craig; and, of course, the way that A Charlie Brown Christmas has touched her life and the lives of millions of fans across the globe.
What was it like to celebrate Christmas in the Schulz family?
"We had a pretty typical Christmas, except that we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. Typically, we'd have neighborhood friends and kids coming over and my mom cooked a great big dinner. Then we'd wait for Santa Claus, I'd always sneak back down and open a window because I thought there was no way he could fit down the chimney. Once the TV show came out, that became a tradition: both Christmas and Halloween, they became something we'd gather around TV to watch. But to me, it just seemed like a normal family Christmas."
What is Christmas like for your family today?
"After those big Christmases as a kid, I had to get adjusted to having Christmases with just my husband and my two kids. It felt so small. I tried to do the same traditions, watch the special, do the presents. One tradition I didn't keep: My parents always put an orange in Christmas stockings, I switched that to chocolate."
Did your Dad think the special would be around 50 years later?
"He wasn't one to predict. The most important thing to him was drawing the comic strip. He'd always say, 'I'm just a cartoonist.' He was not setting out to make his cartoon famous, or sell merchandise. Those were everyone else's ideas. One thing he never understood was when people would say to him, 'Mr. Schulz, you're so successful now, why don't you retire?' He'd say, 'Why would I spend my whole life to become successful at doing the thing I love to do, and then not do it?' He passed away immediately after he decided he could no longer draw the strip. To him, it was all about drawing the comic strip."
Who's your favorite Peanuts character and why?
"My absolute favorite is Snoopy because I like his imagination and his free spirit, how he imagines whatever he wants to be. I had a pretend friend as a kid that everyone teased me about. And because he's a dog and I love rescue animals. Then it would be Linus, because I like how calm he remains, how philosophical he is."
Launch the holiday joy early, as you anticipate the 50th airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas! The soft and huggable Snoopy plush brings cheer any time of day or night, while the charming Be Joyful book keeps you in a Peanuts spirit year-round.
Kim
Linus!
Ashley Kolpak
Snoopy!
Ann
Linus is cool
James Robert
Charlie Brown is our favorite character, thanks for the chance at this
Sarah Hall
I really like Pigpen. I like the way he leaves a trail of dust.
Laura Horwitz
I LOVE Snoopy! He has a great sense of humor and a fun personality.
Donelle Anderson
Woodstock was so cute!
karin shaffer
Woodstock is my favorite. The ever loyal best friend.
Elizabeth
Snoopy!
S.
Woodstock is my favorite.
Heidi Embrey
Woodstock is my favorite too. I also like Peppermint Patty. And the teacher..and Linus 🙂
Erin M.
I love Linus!
Nicoe Cook
Snoopy! I have 2 beagles myself 🙂
lori clark
I like woodstock the best, my little girl loves snoopy!
beth
Lucy is my favorite
Tandi Cortez-Rios
My favorite character is Woodstock!
Romina
I like Snoopy, but Woodstock is a very close second.
SARAH CHANEY
Snoopy is by far the COOLEST
Tammy M
Woodstock was always my favorite, but my children LOVE Snoopy!
Carissa E
Snoopy! I had a stuffed animal bought for me as a gift, so I will always be partial to Snoopy.
Melissa AM
Toss-up between Snoopy and Charlie Brown, or as my 2 year old calls him "brown-brown".
Pamela W.
Linus & Peppermint Patty!
Veronica B
We all loved Belle - Snoopy's sister. We each had a Belle plush toy and collected the clothes from her wardrobe. Joy!
elena prodan
have triplets and one of kids loves snoopy
elena prodan
one of kids loves snoopy