Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas

2011 American animated Christmas TV special

Hoops & Yoyo Ruin ChristmasGenreAnimated Christmas TV movieBased on Hoops & Yoyo Franchiseby Bob Holt & Mike Adair Directed byTony CraigVoices ofMike AdairBob HoltBev CarlsonDave ParkeBrooke LloydMichael MonkenPamela MorencyCircus-Szalewski (credited as Circus Szalewski)ComposerAlan WilliamsCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producersShawn McClarenJodi SchadeDiana Larson StuartProducerMelinda Wunsch DilgerRunning timeapprox. 24 minutesProduction companiesPershing Road ProductionsHallmark CardsCBS ProductionsOriginal releaseNetworkCBSReleaseNovember 25, 2011 (2011-11-25) Hoops & Yoyo Ruin Christmas is an American animated 2011 Christmas TV special that aired on CBS on November 25, 2011. The special was based on the Hallmark Cards characters Hoops & Yoyo.

[edit] Hoops, Yoyo and Piddles are having fun during the holidays. When they are decorating late at night, Santa Claus and his reindeer fly down to their house's roof, and, as Hoops, Yoyo and Piddles are hiding, delivers presents. Hoops, Yoyo and Piddles decide to climb into the bag when Santa is not looking. However, Hoops gets stuck and somehow Yoyo and Piddles grasp onto Hoops's hand. Suddenly, they wind up inside the time-space continuum where Santa can deliver presents to everyone. However, the gang loses grip and they wind up in the "Past" portal, breaking the continuum, proven by a chicken turning back into an egg. They get transported to an identical universe, and wind up breaking a boy's creation for a toy contest to become a master toymaker. The part Yoyo accidentally took off is signed with the name "Kris Kringle". Hoops suddenly realizes that they are in the past, because he finds out that Kris Kringle is another name for Santa. They crawl into Kris's house and try to convince him that they can help him fix it. Kris believes them and they help him fix his creation. They then all go to the Toy Festival. Kris then meets a little girl who never had a toy. When they are in line for the judges, Kris is missing. Hoops, Yoyo and Piddles suddenly notice that he is talking to the little girl. With only a minute left, he must decide whether he should give it to her or win the contest. He gives the toy to the girl and they go back home. At home, the gang is surprised when the little girl redecorated Kris's house. The little girl tells him that is not all, and she transforms into a beautiful spirit who turns Kris's house into Santa's workshop. She tells him that she was supposed to look for the next Santa. Kris is considered the next Santa and his old sleigh turns into Santa's sleigh, since Kris's sleigh only had one reindeer, gets more reindeer that now can fly. Yoyo and Piddles are excited because they can go home now, but Hoops tells them that they might ruin everything again since it is Kris' first night as Santa. Yoyo and Piddles agree with Hoops on that and say goodbye to Kris and the spirit and they go inside. Before they can, the real Santa Claus flies down and greets them. When they get inside they find presents under their tree. They have also received an identical version of Kris's toy, but with the gang on it instead.

[edit] Mike Adair - Hoops Bob Holt - Yoyo Bev Carlson - Piddles Michael Monken - Kris Kringle / Young Santa Claus Dave Parke - Santa Claus Brooke Lloyd - The Little Girl Pamela Morency - The Spirit Circus-Szalewski - Snooty Clerk & Mean Toymaker

[edit] The special had music composed by Alan Williams as well as music performed by Parry Gripp. The special was directed by Tony Craig and aired on the CBS network on November 25, 2011 before another special, The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story, based on the book The Elf on the Shelf, premiered.

Even though the special is just 24 minutes long, Hoops & Yoyo have become a nostalgic touchstone for families who grew up swapping Hallmark cards. The characters’ slap‑stick humour and bright, cheery animation fit neatly into the hectic pre‑Christmas TV schedule, offering a light‑hearted breather between the heavier holiday dramas. Because they originated from greeting cards, the duo already carry a built‑in sense of gift‑giving and festive cheer, making the special feel like an extended card greeting that kids can watch together while parents sip their mulled wine.

Slotting the 24‑minute special into your festive line‑up is easier than you think. Use it as a transition between the classic Christmas films you watch each night – for example, after a family favourite like "Home Alone" and before a longer saga such as "The Polar Express". The short runtime also works well as a quick distraction while you’re waiting for the turkey to finish cooking, or as an intermission during a busy gift‑wrapping session. Keep a bowl of popcorn ready, and you’ll have a tidy, kid‑friendly break that doesn’t derail the evening.

Many treat the special as just another cartoon, overlooking its deeper link to Hallmark Cards’ branding strategy. Hoops & Yoyo were created to personify the warm, whimsical tone Hallmark wants to convey in its seasonal mailings. That commercial heritage means the animation subtly reinforces the idea of sending greetings, which is why the characters often appear holding gifts or cards. Recognising this connection can turn a simple viewing into a reminder to add a personal note to your own holiday cards, turning the TV moment into an invitation for a more heartfelt, handwritten touch.