In this color episode, George Baxter doesn't want to exchange presents, feeling that the spending is all pointless.
His wife and Hazel deduce he will still surprise them and a hidden gift, which is actually for a friend whose snoopy wife will find it at their house, leaves the ladies thinking George is going to present gifts after all.
When the friend shows up to claim the gift, the women are devastated, and when George receives a phone call at work wanting to know if he will vouch for Hazel who wants credit to buy a special gift for Mrs. Baxter, George finally grasps some true meaning of Christmas.
He refuses to vouch for Hazel's credit line.
This color episode watched opposite the black and white Christmas episode makes for a charming contrast, most notably the big blue box with the yellow bow that is the center of attention.
The episode also offers some small insight (as we don't see any Christmas parties) into the complacency of expecting so much family over for Christmas and enjoying the office party (again, unseen) as opposed to doing last minute work or hurrying home to buy gifts or see family.
If you're annoyed by happy endings, don't worry. By the time Shirley Booth approvingly smiles, the show will be over.
We strangely glimpse the friend couple as well, he appearing to be a much older man to her trophy wife appearance. Did these people appear in other episodes? I was going to give this episode a nine, but after consideration, I've decided it does fill all requirements. It could air every year as a special Christmas episode, actually.
His wife and Hazel deduce he will still surprise them and a hidden gift, which is actually for a friend whose snoopy wife will find it at their house, leaves the ladies thinking George is going to present gifts after all.
When the friend shows up to claim the gift, the women are devastated, and when George receives a phone call at work wanting to know if he will vouch for Hazel who wants credit to buy a special gift for Mrs. Baxter, George finally grasps some true meaning of Christmas.
He refuses to vouch for Hazel's credit line.
This color episode watched opposite the black and white Christmas episode makes for a charming contrast, most notably the big blue box with the yellow bow that is the center of attention.
The episode also offers some small insight (as we don't see any Christmas parties) into the complacency of expecting so much family over for Christmas and enjoying the office party (again, unseen) as opposed to doing last minute work or hurrying home to buy gifts or see family.
If you're annoyed by happy endings, don't worry. By the time Shirley Booth approvingly smiles, the show will be over.
We strangely glimpse the friend couple as well, he appearing to be a much older man to her trophy wife appearance. Did these people appear in other episodes? I was going to give this episode a nine, but after consideration, I've decided it does fill all requirements. It could air every year as a special Christmas episode, actually.
