Carol's laryngitis may prevent her from singing a church solo on Xmas morning. Cindy asks a department store Santa to restore her mother's voice.
Of all the Xmas episodes in the Classic TV universe, this one is probably the most famous. The show's humor was still more gentle overall in this initial season, so there are only slight chuckles here, like the part where Alice is concocting her gross homemade remedy, or the boys moving the Xmas tree around the living room until Carol decides on the perfect spot.
It is most remembered for the scene where Cindy sits on Santa's lap and says the only gift she wants from him is for Carol to be able to sing on Xmas morning. It's odd to see Mike leave six-year-old Cindy alone in the department store - something that would never happen today. And then later, Mike admonishes Santa in the employee locker room for making false promises. Today, Mike would be the one under fire for being a neglectful parent.
Of course, all works out perfectly, and there is a great edit from Carol singing in bed that transitions to her singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" in church, with the family looking on, transfixed by her performance.
A holiday classic that never gets old. 8/10.