Some beloved Christmas characters from festive film, music, or literature have stood the test of time, becoming icons in their own right. Who are they and why are they so beloved?
1. Clara Stahlbaum in The Nutcracker by E. T. A. Hoffmann (1816)
“What a splendid little man!”
Clara is the wide-eyed young heroine whose Christmas Eve transforms into a magical journey through enchanted realms. The ordinary melts into the fantastical when a toy Nutcracker she receives as a gift comes to life on Christmas Eve and whisks her away to sparkling realms ruled by sugar and snow. Clara’s journey captures the childlike wonder that turns December into a fairy tale, and reminds us that magic need only exist in our imaginations.
2. The Christmas Witch (La Befana) of Italian Folklore
“La Befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte” (“The Befana comes at night with her shoes all tattered and torn”).
Befana is a magical figure, originating from Italian folklore, who delivers gifts on Epiphany Eve. She is half-witch, half-grandmother, and represents the older, fairy-tale roots of Christmas tradition. She symbolizes kindness, mystery, and winter magic. Her scary exterior masks the goodness of her insides, reminding children to judge no book by its cover.
3. Clarence Odbody, Angel Second Class in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”
Clarence is the gentle angel who earns his wings by showing George Bailey the value of his life. Clarence is full of bumbling celestial charm as he guides George through a vision of what life might look like had he not been born. Clarence’s cajoling humor and steadfast kindness turn the holiday into something miraculous. His earnest and constant belief in the goodness and worthiness of others is a message to all, proving that angels can be just as human as the people they help.
4. The Little Drummer Boy in Carol of the Drum (1941)
“I played my best for Him,
Then he smiled at me,
pa rum pum pum pum.”
A poor orphan drummer boy is summoned to see the newborn Jesus alongside the Magi. He is intimidated by the lavish gifts the Magi carry to Bethlehem: the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When they arrive at the stable, the drummer boy has nothing to offer but music. He plays his drum, as it is all he can offer, for which he earns a smile from the baby Jesus.
The original song was written by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941, and was inspired by old European folktales of poor citizens giving what little material possessions they have to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Davis was an American composer and pianist, likely influenced by the romanticized “drummer boy” icon that emerged around the time of the American Civil War, when drummers were used on the battlefield to keep time for marching troops. Their roles were incredibly vulnerable, and the drummers were often young. A famous drummer boy, Robert Hendershot, was made famous after heroic service at the Battle of Fredericksburg, where he captured Confederate soldiers in a Union-boosting act of bravery.
The carol has inspired countless retellings, both in literary and visual culture, inspiring animations, picture books, and even children’s toys. Famous artists such as David Bowie, Justin Bieber, Bing Crosby, and Joan Baez have released covers of the carol—all putting a new spin on a timeless story of giving with nothing to offer.
5. Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (1843)
“God bless us, every one!”
Tiny Tim Cratchitt is Charles Dickens’s most beloved child character, a small boy with optimism and compassion in quantities enough to soften even Scrooge’s hardest of hearts. Tiny Tim’s blessing reminds us to be grateful for our lot, no matter how small. Tim tells his father, after a visit to church, that he hoped people saw him, “because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”
Tim’s frail body houses his indestructible moral compass. His sense of self is a catalyzing force in Scrooge’s redemption.
6. Buddy the Elf in Elf (2003)
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Buddy is a human raised by elves who spreads Christmas cheer with pure-hearted enthusiasm. His wide grin, unwavering optimism, and obsession with sugar turn the adult world around him into a playground.
As a baby, Buddy accidentally crawled into Santa’s sack on Christmas Eve. He was raised by Papa Elf and the other elves, despite being human-sized. Buddy (played by Will Ferrell) travels to New York to meet fellow humans and is met with an overwhelming culture clash. Ultimately, he restores belief in the magic of Christmas to all he encounters.
Perhaps when reduced to its simplest form, Buddy represents the feeling of being outside looking in. He desperately attempts to assimilate with the human world, but longs for the elves that raised him.
7. Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
“I believe. I believe. It’s silly, but I believe.”
Susan Walker is a nine-year-old girl who does not believe in Santa Claus because her mother has raised her to avoid indulgence in fantasy. Soon enough, Susan meets the real Santa at Macy’s Department Store and begins to believe in magic.
In the 1947 film, Susan is played by Natalie Wood (who would later go on to star in West Side Story). In the 1994 remake, Susan is played by Matilda star Mara Wilson.
8. Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
“What’s this? What’s this? There’s magic in the air!”
Disney and Tim Burton collide to create a gothic delight. Jack Skellington is exhausted. Another year of Halloween festivities draws to a close, and he’s had enough of Halloweentown. His scornful wanderings take him stumbling into Christmastown. For Jack, a change is as good as a rest. He is captivated by the sparkle, warmth, and joviality of Christmas and attempts to bring it back to Halloweentown.
Jack’s misadventures are eerie and enchanting; he is a gothic dreamer who stumbles into the magic of Christmas and wants the feeling to stay. He soon learns, however, that the grass isn’t always greener, and that perhaps home really is where the heart is…
9. Frosty in Frosty the Snowman (1950)
“Frosty the snowman was a jolly, happy soul,
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the Snowman is a fairy tale, they say,
He was made of snow, but the children know
how he came to life one day.”
A snowman brought to life for one perfect winter’s day, Frosty was first conceptualized in the popular song written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins in 1950. The ditty has a thread of mild threat, as the snowman must return to the North Pole before he melts, and was first sung by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys. Others soon followed suit, and Nat King Cole, Roy Rogers, the Ronettes, and many more released covers in the subsequent years. Immediately, the world had a Christmas classic.
However, the first visual Frosty was immortalized by Rankin/Bass Productions and aired on CBS on December 7, 1969. Jimmy Durante provided the narration, telling the story of the jolly snowman brought to life by a magic hat for a day of adventure with his new friends. The TV special aired in the slot straight after the fifth showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas, which was already a huge ratings hit.
10. Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
“Santa? Don’t forget the Grinch. I know he’s mean and hairy and smelly, but I think he’s actually kinda sweet.”
Cindy Lou Who is the quiet hero of Dr. Seuss’s festive fairytale, a small child with a heart bigger than the Whos’ Christmas feast. Cindy Lou’s innocence softens the Grinch’s resentment and becomes the moral center of the story, proving how powerful simple compassion can be. She sees goodness where others see mischief, helping the Grinch discover what the holiday truly means. No one is too small to make a difference.
