The Christmas Raccoons, the first of four Canadian animated specials, debuted in late 1980, introducing a narrative centered on environmental preservation. The special first aired on CBC in Canada on Dec. 17, 1980, followed by its first-run syndication in the United States three days later on Dec. 20.
The story unfolds in the Evergreen Forest, home to Ranger Dan, his children Tommy and Julie and their sheepdog Schaeffer. The plot begins on Dec. 23 when Ranger Dan receives a call reporting the disappearance of trees across the forest, prompting him to investigate.
Local aardvark millionaire Cyril Sneer is revealed as the perpetrator. He orchestrates the tree removal to generate profit from lumber. His college-educated son Cedric attempts to dissuade him from his plans to clear-cut the forest. Cyril disregards his son's advice and fells a line of trees, including the Raccoondominium.
In the aftermath, Cyril Sneer inadvertently loses the raccoons' tree. Tommy, Julie and Schaeffer discover it and transport it to their cabin. Left without a home, Ralph, Melissa and Bert begin their search for those responsible for destroying the forest.
Ralph observes Tommy, Julie and Schaeffer taking the tree to their cabin and mistakenly concludes they are the forest destroyers. He follows them. While Tommy and Julie are away, with Schaeffer alone, the raccoons infiltrate the cabin and find their former home decorated with ornaments, tinsel and lights.
Melissa attempts to retrieve their Christmas stockings, but Schaeffer awakens and chases the raccoons through the forest. The pursuit leads all four animals to Cyril Sneer's sawmill, where they uncover the source of the deforestation.
As Cyril and Cedric prepare to cut down the remaining trees, the raccoons and Schaeffer confront the Sneers. After a discussion, the animals convince Cyril of the potential profit in replanting trees. Cyril reluctantly agrees to restore the forest.
The animals celebrate their success in saving the Evergreen Forest, but the raccoons remain homeless. Schaeffer returns to the cabin, where Julie and Tommy are waiting. Upon seeing the raccoons outside in the cold, Julie and Tommy realize their Christmas tree is the raccoons' home.
Julie contacts her father, Ranger Dan, to secure a new home for the raccoons, and he agrees. The group celebrates. The following day, Christmas Eve, Julie and Tommy awaken, believing the events of the previous day were a dream. Ranger Dan, however, informs them the tree cutting had miraculously ceased.
The Christmas Raccoons special was followed by several other animated productions. These included "The Raccoons on Ice" in 1981, "The Raccoons and the Lost Star" in 1983 and the direct-to-video special "The Raccoons: Let's Dance!" in 1984. The main animated series, "The Raccoons," began airing in 1985.
