[The special starts off with an exterior shot of Jon's house, highly decorated for Christmas. The camera pans in as the scene transitions to the living room, where Garfield is sleeping in his bed. Jon soon enters with an elf outfit on]
Jon: Garfield, wake up.
Garfield: [Awakens] Good morning, Jon.
Jon: [Crouches down] No time for small talk, Garfield. It's Christmas morning and you know what that means.
Garfield: Of course I do, Christmas means presents. Lots and lots of presents.
Jon: First things first, Garfield. You can't open presents on an empty stomach. [Stands up and grabs a large stack of lasagna trays] Here are your breakfast lasagnas. You may eat your way to the tree.
[He leaves a path of lasagnas, and Garfield hops out of bed and eats them one by one. He soon arrives in the other room and stands up]
Jon: Okay, Garfield. You wait right here while I get your gift.
[He exits as Garfield chews his fingers in anticipation. He soon returns driving a forklift while carrying a large present]
Garfield: Now that's what I call a Christmas gift. [Runs to it]
[Jon sets the present down and drives back; the present then opens, revealing to be a chair resembling Santa Claus]
Jon: It's the gift that keeps on giving, Garfield. Here, let me show you. [Stands on the chair] Now watch this. [Sits on it; Garfield hops in his lap] This gift-giving machine can read your mind. Whatever you think of, it will give you! Observe.
[He pulls the lever, causing the Santa hat to be placed on him. Jon concentrates, before a hat pops out of the toy bag]
Jon: [Puts on the hat] Neat, huh?
Garfield: [Pushes him off] Let me try that.
[Garfield does the same process Jon did earlier, and soon a bunch of jewels pops out of the bag]
Garfield: And that's just for starters. Now this is what Christmas is all about.
["Gimme" begins playing. The opening credits play as Garfield gets more and more stuff from the machine]
Chorus: Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme,
Lou Rawls: Just when you think all your presents are accounted for,
That's the time you gotta ask for more,
Christmas is my favorite time of year,
'Cause that's the time I get my Christmas cheer,
Rawls + Chrous: Come on, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme. Yeah!
I'm gonna shake all the goodies right off this tree. Come on, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme! Yeah!
Garfield: Things, stuff, gadgets, toys, greed, avarice. I love it!
[The scene transitions to Garfield sleeping, revealing the aforementioned events were actually part of a dream. Jon is seen on his knees, trying to wake him up]
Jon: [Whispering] Hey, Garfield. Garfield. Wake up.
Garfield: [Awakens, sounding tired] Huh? [Beat] Oh, it's you. Leave your number. I'll get back to ya. [Puts his blanket over him]
Jon: [Whispering] [Gently rubs Garfield's back] Hey Garfield, guess what today is.
Garfield: [Pokes his head through the blanket] Listen carefully, Jon. I don't do pop quizzes before breakfast, okay? [Puts blanket back over his head]
Jon: [Quietly] Are you ready for this, Garfield? It's Christmas Eve morning. We're gonna pack up our presents and go to the farm for Christmas. Won't that be fun?
Garfield: [Pokes his head through the blanket] You got a real sick sense of humor, Jon. You know that, don't you?
Jon: [Quietly] The whole family's gonna be there: Dad, Mom, and Grandma and Doc Boy.
Garfield: And Good Boy and Bad Boy and Oh Boy and Attaboy...
Jon: [Gets up] C'mon, Garfield. We have a busy day ahead of us. [Walks out]
Garfield: [Pokes his head out of the blanket once more] Why is it every Christmas I get drug outta my warm bed just to see some stupid old relatives? And why is it I always have to go to the stupid old farm? Why can't they come here where my warm bed is? And why...am I whispering?
[Fade to black; scene fades into an exterior shot of their home as they are seen leaving the driveway. They are seen driving out through the neighborhood and out of town, then the scene cuts to a more up-close view]
Jon: We're almost back on the farm now, boys. I can almost smell Mom's chestnut dressing baking in the oven right now.
Garfield: [Sniffs the air] It's not what I smell.
Jon: There's no doubt about it. Christmas is my favorite holiday. The air is crisp, homes are brightly decorated and everybody's walking around with big smiles on their faces. [Notices Garfield frowning] Nyaa-almost everybody. I think the best part is watching the faces of children 'n' sharing the memories of being a child at Christmas. [Scene cuts to Garfield looking at the audience] [Inhales] I remember when my brother Doc Boy and I were little.
Garfield: Oh, brother, here we go again.
Jon: [Breaks into song] ♪Dad would chop down the tree♪
Garfield: Chores.
Jon: ♪Mom would fix up a meal♪
Garfield: Work.
Jon: ♪Doc Boy would get in the way♪
Garfield: Fighting. ♪Big fat hairy deal♪
Odie: [Barks]
Jon: ♪Decorating the tree♪
Garfield: Gardening.
Jon: ♪Wiring all of the lights♪
Garfield: Electrical contracting.
Jon: ♪Wrapping boxes and writing out cards♪
Garfield: Office work, out of sight.
Odie: [Barks]
Jon: ♪Then we'd take those presents and pile them under the tree. We'd barely get a wink of sleep, wondering what they could be♪
Odie: [Barks]
Garfield: ♪The special gift of Christmas♪
Jon: Christmas.
Garfield: ♪That really make it great♪
Jon: It's so great!
Garfield + Chorus: ♪Are the insomnia and anxiety...kids get from having to wait...♪
Jon: ♪Can't wait 'til Christmas. There's so much to do♪
Odie: [Barks]
Jon + Garfield: ♪Can't wait 'til Christmas...♪
Garfield: Wake me when it's through.
[Song ends; They arrive at the farm as they head into the driveway]
Odie: [Barks]
Jon: Now behave yourself this Christmas, Garfield.
Garfield: No problem. I'll wait in the car.
[Scene cuts to inside the house. Jon knocks on the door, and his mother comes in to open it]
Jon: [Holding some presents] Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas, Mom!
Mrs. Arbuckle: Uh-ho! [Hugs Jon] Merry Christmas to you too, honey. Oh, it's so nice to see ya. Here, [Grabs the presents] let me take those packages. [Walks off]
[Jon stays there in silence, before taking his jacket off on the coat rack. Odie and Garfield then comes inside as well, and they walk over to Mr. Arbuckle and Doc Boy]
Jon: Hi, Dad. [Shakes his hand] Merry Christmas.
Mr. Arbuckle: Merry Christmas city slicker.
Jon: Doc Boy! How's my favorite brother?
Doc Boy: [Bluntly] Don't call me Doc Boy, and you probably forgotten I'm your only brother.
Jon: Oh...right.
Grandma Arbuckle: [Off-screen] Don't mind me. You can visit 'til your lips fall off for all I care. [Scene cuts to her in her rocking chair] I'll just sit here in the dark, alone, 'til you decide to come over and pay your respects. Nobody gives a hoot about an old woman like me anyway.
Jon: [Walks over to her] How could I ignore my favorite girl? Merry Christmas, Grandma.
Grandma Arbuckle: [Laughs] [Hugs him] Merry Christmas, Jon.
Jon: How have you been?
Grandma Arbuckle: Oh, I been doing okay, considerin'. [Notices something] What's this, Jon? [Pokes Jon's stomach] I see you're puttin' on a little belly. Is that city life making you soft? [Smacks Jon's gut with her elbow]
Jon: Ooh! [Coughs]
Grandma Arbuckle: [Laughs] Oh, you're gettin' soft, boy. You need to get more physical. Take me. I do 100 sit-ups every morning; my belly is hard as a rock. [Pats her belly] C'mon! Hit me right here. Gimme your best shot.
Jon: Uhh...nyuh-uh....Grandma! You remember Garfield, don'tcha?
Grandma Arbuckle: Well, I'll be. [Picks up Garfield] I remember back when all we had were wood-burning cats. Lord, what'll they think of next?
Garfield: Bizarre.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Isn't this wonderful? The whole family is together again for the holidays. Ho, we are going to have such a splendid Christmas. Oh, I'm so happy I could just burst.
Grandma Arbuckle: Oh, put a sock in it, dearie. [Begins walking off] Let's go finish dinner!
Garfield: I can see Grandma and I are gonna get along just fine.
[Fade to black. Scene fades into the exterior of the house as Jon walks outside]
Jon: This is what it's all about, right boys? [Odie barks] Hard work, brisk weather and beautiful scenery.
[Odie hops across the snow while following Jon. Garfield meanwhile is buried deep within the snow, with only his tail exposed]
Garfield: What scenery? I think somebody turned the lights out. In fact, I'd go so far as to say things can't get much worse than--[Hits a pipe] Doh! I gotta quit sayin' that.
[Scene cuts to the kitchen. Grandma sneaks to the oven and takes a bite of the gravy. She holds up a can of chili as Mrs. Arbuckle walks in]
Mrs. Arbuckle: By any chance, you're not thinking of putting chili powder in my sausage gravy, are ya, Grandma?
Grandma Arbuckle: Why, no. [Chuckles] Heavens to Betsy, child, what would give you such a notion? [Chuckles as Mrs. Arbuckle walks away] Just 'cause my chili gravy won a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair and your gravy didn't even place. Who am I to tell you how to make gravy? [Puts chili powder in the gravy] The Green County Gravy Champion, that's who. [Walks off]
[Meanwhile, Jon and Garfield return inside; Jon notices Odie's absence]
Jon: Hey Garfield, where's Odie?
Garfield: In the barn. Let's eat.
[Scene cuts to Odie, who is indeed in the barn. He sniffs around until he finds a wheelbarrow full of items, which he pulls a plank of wood and a backscratcher out of]
Odie: [Snickers as he leaves]
[Scene cuts back to the kitchen. Garfield gets on the counter and sniffs the gravy]
Garfield: Hello, what's this? [Gets some with his finger] Why, it's sausage gravy. [Eats it and licks his fingers] [Face turns red; he breathes fire due to the added chili powder] Perfect.
[Scene cuts to the dinner table, where everyone is seated]
Doc Boy: Mm, this smells great!
Family: [Indistinct chatter]
[Odie comes inside, whistling his theme. Meanwhile, Doc Boy tries to grab a muffin, but his mother slaps his hand]
Mrs. Arbuckle: Doc Boy, will you say grace, please?
Doc Boy: Oh, Mom...
Mrs. Arbuckle: Doc Boy.
Doc Boy: I never know what to--[Grandma hits him with a spoon] [Everyone prays] Lord...[Looks at his Grandma in slight annoyance]...we just wanna tell you how grateful we are for this food...and um...for letting us all be here together on Christmas Eve.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Amen.
Doc Boy: [Stands up] And as surely, as the waters of the streams and the rivers find the sea, let each of us find happiness and wisdom in this, our--[Grandma hits him again] Thanks, Lord. Let's eat.
Jon: Hey Mom, pass the potatoes, please.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Scalloped, whipped, fried, baked or boiled?
Jon: M-Mom, you always fix too much food.
Mrs. Arbuckle: I know, honey, I know. Now what would you like?
Jon: I-I can't decide. Just gimme a piece of pie.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Apple, peach, pumpkin, blueberry, cherry or banana cream?
[Scene cuts to Garfield and Odie under the table. Grandma looks around before secretly handing the pets some leftover food]
Garfield: Mmm. Attentive service, excellent cuisine. However, the decor leaves something to be desired. I give this place two stars.
Odie: [Barks]
[Cut back to above the table]
Mr. Arbuckle: You sure are packin' the food away tonight, Grandma.
Grandma Arbuckle: I'm eatin' for two now, dear.
Mr. Arbuckle: [Nods in understanding] Ah. [Eyes widen in shock]
Jon: That was a great meal, Mom.
Grandma Arbuckle: [Walks in with a pile of plates] [Clears throat]
Jon: And you too, Grandma.
Grandma Arbuckle: [Laughs] Thank you, Jon.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Well, it wasn't much, but I was hoping you'd like it.
[Scene cuts to Garfield and Odie walking off, both with bloated bellies]
Jon: Hey Garfield, there's plenty of leftovers. [Offers some ham] Would you like something to eat?
Garfield: Oh, no thank you, Jon. [Pats his belly] I've opted to watch my waistline this holiday season.
[Scene cuts to the living room. Mrs. Arbuckle is seen standing next to the Christmas tree]
Mrs. Arbuckle: Okay, everybody! It's time to trim the tree!
Odie: [Pops out of the box of ornaments; he hops out, pulls out a string, then walks off]
[Everyone chatters instinctively while they decorate the Christmas tree. Meanwhile, Grandma lays in her rocking chair, petting Garfield ]
Grandma Arbuckle: Just listen to 'em, Garfield. All jawin' at once like a bunch of banshees. Crazy, isn't it? [Garfield sleeps on her lap] Of course, to make it through this whole life you have to be a little crazy.
Garfield: You said it, Grandma.
Grandma Arbuckle: Why, just look at me. I talk to cats. [Laughs]
[Scene cuts to Mr. Arbuckle struggling to get the star on top of the tree. His two sons help him out (Jon is pushing him up while Doc Boy is being used as a pedastal)]
Jon: Careful, Dad. Don't hurt yourself.
Mr. Arbuckle: Why is it we always put the stupid star on last? Why don't we put the star on the top of the tree and then put the tree up?
Mrs. Arbuckle: Well, it just wouldn't be Christmas if we put the star on first, honey.
Jon: [Grabs the star] Hey Garfield. Come over here. [Garfield faces him] Garfield, I have a very important job for you. It's a dangerous assignment, but, if you succeed, you'll be...a hero.
Garfield: A hero. I like that.
Jon: I want you to take this star up the tree and put it on the top.
Garfield: [Salutes] Climbing trees is my life, sir. [Takes the star] If I'm not back in an hour, send a banana cream pie after me. [Walks to the tree] This is gonna be a piece of cake. Never send a man to do a cat's job.
[He climbs under and up the tree. The tree shakes as the family watches in anticipation. Eventually, Garfield comes out on top, but realizes how high up he is. He gets startled and grips on the tree in fright. Despite this, he successfully puts the star on the tree, and everyone cheers for him]
Family: Ha ha! Yay!
[Garfield bows, but he loses balance and falls right back now to the bottom along with a few ornaments. Some lights also fall on him]
Garfield: Whoever invented Christmas trees should be drug out into the street and shot. [An ornament falls on his head]
[Scene transitions to a little later, where Mr. Arbuckle is about to plug in the tree]
Mr. Arbuckle: Is everybody ready? Here we go!
[Plugs in the tree as it shines brightly] [Everyone "ooohs"]
Garfield: [Looks back at the camera] Nice touch.
Jon: Why don't you play for us, Mom?
[Mr. Arbuckle gently pushes her to the chair. She begins playing piano as everyone sings "Christmas in Your Heart"]
[Everyone]
Christmas is here,
Mistletoe and laughter,
Carols and bells,
Ringing to the rafters,
Lights on the tree,
Candles all aglow,
And all who pass by say "hello".
[Garfield notices Grandma rocking in her chair alone as they sing. He hops off the piano and runs up to her]
Grandma Arbuckle: Why, hello, Garfield. [He hops on her lap] How did'ja know I needed a kitty in my lap? [Begins petting him]
Garfield: Wild guess.
Grandma Arbuckle: Since Grandpa passed on, I've whiled away many a lonely hour rockin' and strokin' ma cats.
Garfield: I envy those cats.
Grandma Arbuckle: Grandpa was a proud man, a strong man. He was a good provider. We've never had much money, but we always had plenty of food on the table. And he always made somethin' special for me and each of the children at Christmas. Men like him didn't feel like they could show much affection outwardly to the children but, on Christmas, it was okay. He always pretended not to be excited on Christmas morning. But his eyes gave him away. I think...I think it was his favorite day of the year. Sometimes I wake up in the night, and I can still feel his strong arms around me. [Sighs] This is the night I miss him the most.
[Scene transitions to the exterior of the house as the song returns]
[Desirée Goyette]
Keep Christmas here,
In your heart.
[Scene fades to black. Fade in back to the living room, which is a bit brighter now]
Mrs. Arbuckle: [Plays piano] And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is time for... [Plays piano] Dad to read us our Christmas story. [Mr. Arbuckles nods "no}
Jon + Doc Boy: Yeah!!
Mrs. Arbuckle: Which is entitled...[Plays a couple notes]
Jon, Doc Boy, + Mrs. Arbuckle: "Binky, the Clown Who Saved Christmas." [Mrs. Arbuckle laughs]
Mr. Arbuckle: Do I have to do this?
Mrs. Arbuckle: Here's the book, dear. [He gets it] Now go over to your favorite chair and we'll all listen to you read the story.
Mr. Arbuckle: I'm beginning to feel a little silly reading this book year after year.
Mrs. Arbuckle: Oh, but, think of the children, dear.
Jon: Yeah.
Mrs. Arbuckle: They so look forward to it.
Jon: Right, Dad. [Mrs. Arbuckle leads him to the chair]
Doc Boy: Yeah, let's see if Binky saves Christmas again this year.
[They both chuckle as everyone walks off. Scene cuts to Mr. Arbuckle in his chair, as everyone gathers around to watch him]
Mr. Arbuckle: [Clears throat] "Once upon a time, there was a clown named Binky who loved children. Everytime Binky saw children, he would say, 'Hey, kids.'"
Jon: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Dad, read it with more emotion.
Doc Boy: Yeah, yeah, a-a-a-and why don't you say it like Binky says it?
Mr. Arbuckle: [Clears throat, annoyed] "Everytime Binky saw children, he would say, [In Binky's voice] 'HEEEEEEEEEY KIIIIIIIIIDS!!!!!' [Odie licks him] [Normal voice] Cut that out.
[Later]
Mr. Arbuckle: "And once again, Binky the Clown saved Christmas for children all over the world." [Shuts book] The end.
Doc Boy: I don't know about you, Jon, but for a couple of minutes there, I was gettin' pretty worried.
Jon: Oooh, me too.
Mrs. Arbuckle: [Chuckles] All right, boys. It's time to get ready for bed.
Jon: All right!
Doc Boy: Yeah.
[Everyone but Mr. Arbuckle runs off]
[Meanwhile, Odie sneaks into a closet and digs out a plunger. He twists the suction cup off before attempting to walk out. The stick's too big, and he trips when attempting to walk out. He turns his head sideways and successfully runs out]
[Later that night, everyone turns the lights off. Garfield and Odie are seen sleeping by the fireplace, which eventually goes out. Odie wakes up, and nudges Garfield to do the same, but he doesn't. Odie runs off as Garfield awakens]
Garfield: Odie? [Looks around] Now where did he go? [Walks to the window]
["You Can Never Find an Elf When You Need One" plays. Garfield sees Odie go into the barn, and decides to sneak in. He sees Odie build what appears to be a scratching device.]
Low Rawls: You can never find an elf when you need one. When you've got to get that toy beneath the tree.
Desirée Goyette: Yeah, when an elf is what you need. His energy, his speed,
Lou Rawls + Desirée Goyette: There never seems to be one who's free
Lou Rawls: Then comes that magical moment,
Desirée Goyette: So the story goes on Christmas Eve,
Lou Rawls: When elves and other weirdos,
Lou Rawls + Desirée Goyette: Think it's better to give than receive.
Desirée Goyette: See you can never find an elf when you need one, And you don't know what you're gonna do.
Lou Rawls: But if you believe. The magic of Christmas Eve,
Lou Rawls + Desirée Goyette: But then, one... finds... you!
[Garfield falls to the ground, causing the box above him to turn on its side. A bundle of letters falls and bumps his head]
Garfield: [Grabs the letters] I don't believe it. These letters must be 50 years old.
[Scene cuts to Mr. and Mrs. Arbuckle in bed. Jon opens the door and peeks through]
Jon: [Whispering] Hey, Dad.
Doc Boy: [Whispering] Psst. Hey, Dad. You awake?
Jon: Dad. [Flicks the lights on]
Doc Boy: [Loudly] Dad, you awake?
Mr. Arbuckle: [Wakes up] Well, I'm awake now. What do you boys want?
Jon: Is it time to open our presents yet?
Mr. Arbuckle: It's 1:30 in the morning. No, it's not time to open presents yet! [Turns the lights off and goes back to sleep]
Doc Boy: It is Christmas morning now, you know?
Jon: [Turns the light back on] Doc Boy has a point there, Dad. Anytime after midnight is technically Christmas morning, you know?
Mr. Arbuckle: [Irritated] Go to bed!
Jon: [Turns light back off] All right, all right.
Doc Boy: [Sarcastically] Pleasant dreams, Dad. [To Jon] It is Christmas morning.
Jon: I know that and you know that. [Door closes]
[Scene switches to an exterior shot of the house. Soon, morning comes as a rooster is heard. Inside, everyone comes in the living room to celebrate]
Mr. Arbuckle: Well, what you boys wanna do first? You wanna do chores? You wanna eat breakfast? Or do you wanna open presents?
Jon + Doc Boy: PRESENTS!! [They run off]
[Everyone opens their presents]
Jon: Oh, Mom and Dad, thank you!
Mrs. Arbuckle: You're welcome, honey.
[A little later, everyone is playing with their gifts]
Mrs. Arbuckle: Well, that was a very nice Christmas. [Garfield tugs on her apron]
Garfield: It's not over yet. One minute.
[He walks over to the fireplace and gets the old letters out of the stocking. He then hands them over to Grandma]
Grandma Arbuckle: Why, thank you, Garfield. What's this? [Pulls off the ribbon] Oh my. [Looks at them] Oh my.
Jon: What are they, Grandma?
Grandma Arbuckle: Jon, these are love letters your Grandpa sent me from when we were courtin' a long, long time ago. [Reads one] "My darlin', if the sea were of ink and the sky of parchment, I could not begin to write my love for you." [Softly chuckles] "When next we meet..." Oh, oh-ho-ho-ho my! [Laughs]
Mrs. Arbuckle: Well, what does he say, Grandma?
Grandma Arbuckle: It is inappropriate for a lady to talk about her romances, my dear. [To Garfield] Garfield, I don't know how you managed to find these letters. I think they are the nicest presents I could have received. [Pats his head] Thank you, very, very much.
Garfield: Yeah. You might say I just kinda fell into 'em. [Odie runs up to him]
Odie: [Barks]
Garfield: What is it, Odie?
Odie: [Barks] [Points and runs off]
Garfield: Okay, I'm coming. [Follows him]
[Odie shows off something encased in a paper bag]
Odie: [Barks]
Garfield: Okay, what do you want?
Odie: [Lifts off the bag, revealing the backscratcher he's been making throughout the special] Ta-da!
Garfield: Okay...what is it?
Odie: [Demonstrates by scratching himself all over it] Ooh!
Garfield: Whoa! Ho-ho-ho! Lemme try that! [Scratches his back on it] Odie, sometimes you amaze me. [Gets off of the backscratcher] This is the best present a cat could ever get. Now and then, you're somethin' special. [Hugs him]
Everyone: Awwww....
Garfield: Alright, you guys. Just permit me one sentimental moment here, will ya? I have something to say: Christmas. It's not the giving, it's not the getting. It's the loving. There, I said it. Now get outta here.
[Odie is seen scratching his back on the backscratcher. Garfield and the family being dancing as "A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas" plays]
[Various]
Let's have a good old-fashioned Christmas,
Down on the farm,
A little overeating never did you any harm,
Let's open up the presents,
Eat a turkey or two,
It's a good old-fashioned Christmas,
Yodel-ay-eee-ooo.
It's a good old-fashioned Christmas,
Down on the farm,
Let's stoke up the fire,
To keep our tootsies warm,
Let's get on the rooftop,
And sing a song or two,
Let's do this again next year,
Yodel-ay-eee-ooo.
[The screen transitions to a panning shot of the house as it fades to black. The instrumental of the song continues to play throughout the closing credits]
[End of special]