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In the spirit of the economy, new holiday originals are scarce this year.

Networks are largely relying on venerable favorites for the Yule season, such as "Charlie Brown's Christmas" tale, the old Rankin-Bass classics and the "Frosty" cartoons.

Boris Karloff returns to narrate the Dr. Seuss gem "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Also on the Grinch circuit will be the Jim Carrey movie adaptation from 2000.

Tight budgets have restricted the networks from turning out much new for the season, though CBS delivers a new animated piece, "Yes, Virginia," on Dec. 11, based on the famous New York Sun editorial. In this story, editor Francis Church feels like he's got more important things to do than answer a query from little Virginia O'Hanlon about the existence of Santa, but subsequent events soften him up.

Lifetime network offers some new dramas, including "The Christmas Hope," a sequel to "The Christmas Shoes," about a social worker who brings in a child for the holidays and whose life is transformed.

Holiday-themed variety shows, with their relatively low budgets, used to be an annual staple, but even they are hard to find this year. Carrie Underwood will host one Dec. 7 on Fox, though, with a strong lineup including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate.

One old favorite will return again and again: Jean Shepherd's "A Christmas Story," about young Ralphie and that Red Ryder BB gun. It will air around the clock on TNT beginning Christmas Eve.

Here is a look at some of the major holiday programs ahead.

Tonight

"The Dog Who Saved Christmas": A clumsy watchdog saves the day. 8 p.m., ABC Family

"A Dog Named Christmas": Handicapped son adopts a dog for Christmas, but father says for Christmas only. 9 p.m., CBS

Monday

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas": Narrated by Boris Karloff, the 1966 animated version of the Dr. Seuss story. 8 p.m., ABC

Tuesday

"The Year Without Santa Claus": Mickey Rooney voices Santa in this animated classic about the year he just didn't feel up to it. 7 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"Christmas Outside of the Box": Examining the history and mystery of Christmas rituals. 7 p.m., TLC

Wednesday

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer": Burl Ives narrates the story of the most famous reindeer of them all. 8 p.m., CBS

"Christmas in Rockefeller Center": Jane Krakowski and Zachary Levi co-host the annual lighting of the tree in Rockefeller Center. Artists include Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, the Roots, Shakira and the Radio City Rockettes. 8 p.m., NBC

Thursday

"Polar Express": Tom Hanks in adaption of the beloved children's book. 6 and 8:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Friday

"Frosty's Winter Wonderland": Narrated by Andy Griffith, this Frosty adventure has him tangling with the evil Jack Frost. 7 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Saturday

"Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas": Disney characters in Christmas stories. 7 a.m., ABC Family Channel

"Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle": Doris Roberts and James Van Der Beek star in the story of a new housekeeper who brings order to an unruly house at the holidays, based on Debbie Macomber's book. 8 p.m., Hallmark Channel

"12 Men of Christmas": Kristin Chenoweth plays a down-and-out publicist who brings sizzle to a Montana town for the holidays. 9 p.m., Lifetime

Dec. 7

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas": Joey Grey narrates the famous Clement Moore poem. 7 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special": Featuring Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, David Cook, Kristin Chenoweth, Christina Applegate and Sons of Sylvia. 8 p.m., Fox

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town": The 1970 Rankin-Bass tale of how Kris Kringle (voiced by Mickey Rooney) starts a toy factory for children, running afoul of the Burgermeister Meisterburger. 8 p.m., ABC

Dec. 8

"Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too": Pooh and Piglet rush to get Christopher Robin's letter to Santa. 7:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"A Charlie Brown Christmas": Charlie Brown takes on the commercialization of Christmas in this 1965 classic. Followed by Christmas-themed animated stories titled "Charlie Brown Christmas Tales." 8 p.m., ABC

"A Miser Brothers' Christmas": Mickey Rooney voices Santa in this tale of a souped-up sled sabotaged by North Wind. 9 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 9

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town": Fred Astaire narrates the tale of young Kris Kringle. 8 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"Shrek the Halls": Shrek tries to get in the holiday spirit. 8 p.m., ABC

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys": Rudolph battles the Evil Toy Taker. 9 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 10

"Holiday in Handcuffs": Melissa Joan Hart plays a young woman who kidnaps a guy to take home to her family at Christmas. 8 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"Flintstone Christmas": Santa falls through Fred's roof and breaks his ankle. 10 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 11

"A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa": Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo and the rest of the gang have to get their letters to Santa in time. Stars Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Griffiths, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Jesse L. Martin, Petra Nemcova, Steve Schirripa, Tony Sirico, Uma Thurman and Madison Pettis. 8 p.m., NBC

"Santa Clause 2": Tim Allen as the new Santa who must find a wife to keep his job. 8 p.m., ABC Family Channel

"Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation": Phineas and Ferb must overcome Dr. Doofenshmirtz's Naughty-inator before Santa arrives. 8 p.m., Disney Channel

"Yes, Virginia": The story behind the most famous editorial of all time, the 1897 piece that begins, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." 8 p.m., CBS

Dec. 12

"Little Drummer Boy": Vienna Boy's Choir provides music for the classic story. 7 a.m., ABC Family Channel

"The Christmas Shoes": Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams-Paisley pair in a story about a boy getting shoes for his dying mother. 4 p.m., Lifetime

"The Christmas Blessing": Neil Patrick Harris and Rebecca Gayheart in a story of a physician who forms bonds through loss at the holiday. 6 p.m., Lifetime

"The Polar Express": A fantasy journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, starring the voice of Tom Hanks. 8 p.m., ABC

"It's A Wonderful Life": Frank Capra's classic 1946 film, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore. 8 p.m., NBC

"The Christmas Hope": Feuding couple puts aside their differences when a young girl comes to stay with them at Christmas. 8 p.m., Lifetime

"Frosty the Snowman": Original animated, silk-hatted Frosty story. Narrated by Jimmy Durante. 8 p.m., CBS

"Frosty Returns": Frosty the Snowman makes a comeback with winter. John Goodman is the voice of Frosty and Jonathan Winters narrates. 8:30 p.m., CBS

"The Flight Before Christmas": Niko dreams of joining Santa's squadron, then discovers a plot to destroy the reindeer team by the evil Black Wolf and his gang. 9 p.m., CBS

Dec. 13

"Snow": Tom Cavanagh plays the new Santa, taking over the family business. 10 a.m., ABC Family Channel

"The Christmas Hope": Sequel to "The Christmas Shoes," a social worker brings in a child for the holidays. 8 p.m., Lifetime

Dec. 14

"Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas": Jennifer Hudson and Michael Buble perform Christmas music. 8 p.m., ABC

"Eloise at Christmastime": Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) meddles in a wedding at the Plaza on Christmas Eve. 5 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 15

"Gotta Catch Santa Claus": Animated tale of 12-year-olds in search of Santa, who is voiced by William Shatner. 6 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 17

"Jack Frost": Irresponsible dad reincarnated as his son's snowman. 8 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 19

"The Three Gifts": Dean Cain, Jean Louisa Kelly star in the story of a couple that takes in three mischievous orphans for the holiday. 8 p.m. Hallmark Channel

Dec. 20

"Christmas in Washington": Recording artists Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher perform for VIPs at the National Building Museum. 8 p.m., TNT

Dec. 22

"A Very Brady Christmas": Brady family, all grown up, reunites for holiday. 1 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 23

"Miracle on 34th Street": Classic tale of a little girl who befriends a Macy's Santa. 7:30 p.m., ABC Family Channel

Dec. 24

"Leprechauns' Christmas Gold": Dinty Doyle picks out the perfect tree for his family, not realizing it contains the spirit of an evil banshee. 9 a.m., ABC Family Channel

"A Christmas Story": TBS's annual round-the-clock airing of the Jean Shepherd story goes until 8 p.m. Christmas night. It's the story of Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas, and stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin. 8 p.m., TBS

Dec. 25

"Jingle All the Way": Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the dad who must come up with the rare toy for Christmas. 11 a.m., ABC Family Channel

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