life-affirming classic starring Jimmy Stewart is just a smidgen of what's in Santa's TV gift bag this year.

As usual, there's something in the bag for every viewer: from the musically inclined "Mrs. Santa Claus,'' to the saintly Dolly Parton in "Unlikely Angel,'' to the ghoulish "The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas.'' Here is a shopping guide to program highlights on network and cable TV.

MOVIES "Mrs. Santa Claus,'' Sunday, December 8, CBS. Angela Lansbury stars in this original musical as Santa's wife who gets lost in New York while testing out a timesaving, round-the-world route in her husband's (Charles Durning) reindeer-powered sleigh. Stranded on Manhattan's Lower East Side, the anonymous Mrs. Claus finds herself drawn into the lives of lonely children.

"Samson and Delilah,'' Sunday, December 8, TNT. Elizabeth Hurley stars as the beautiful Philistine who tests the faith of Samson (Eric Thal). Part two airs Wednesday, December 11.

"A Different Kind of Christmas,'' Monday, December 9, Lifetime. The tale of a woman (Shelley Long) who always felt ignored by her father, who believes he is Santa Claus and only wants to bring joy to the world.

"Christmas in My Hometown,'' Tuesday, December 10. CBS. Tim Matheson plays a corporate Scrooge who comes to a small Nebraska town just before Christmas to downsize the factory that employs most of the community. Melissa Gilbert falls in love with him; Travis Tritt, the local sheriff, loves her.

"Unlikely Angel,'' Tuesday, December 17, CBS. Dolly Parton plays an angel who returns to Earth to earn her wings by uniting a family.

"The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas,'' Tuesday, December 17, Fox. This ghoulish brood from the 1960s TV series celebrates Christmas in their own cheerfully gruesome way.

"The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,'' Saturday, December 21, CBS. The 1971 drama that inspired the long-running Emmy-winning series "The Waltons'' stars Patricia Neal as the mother and Richard Thomas as the eldest son in a rural American family during the Depression.

"It's a Wonderful Life,'' Saturday, December 21, NBC. The Frank Capra film is broadcast in the original black-and-white director's cut.

"Timepiece,'' Sunday, December 22. CBS. Richard Thomas returns in a prequel to last season's "The Christmas Box'' (see December 25). It tells the story behind a beautiful old watch that Thomas' friend bequeaths to his daughter as a wedding gift.

"The Christmas Tree,'' Sunday, December 22. ABC. Sally Field makes her directorial debut. Andrew McCarthy who spots the perfect tree for Rockefeller Center's Christmas centrepiece while flying over a remote convent. The problem is that the tree has its own significance to a nun (Julie Harris) who isn't ready to see it come down.

"A Holiday to Remember,'' Tuesday, December 24, CBS. Connie Sellecca and Randy Travis star in this repeat romance about a recently divorced mother who returns to her childhood town and rediscovers her first love.

"The Christmas Box,'' Wednesday, December 25, CBS. A rebroadcast of last season's drama starring Richard Thomas as a man who moves his family into the mansion of a stubborn widow (Maureen O'Hara).

MUSIC "Opryland's Country Christmas,'' Saturday, December 14. CBS. Some of Nashville's most famous names -- Clint Black, Patty Loveless, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, Wynonna and others -- sing holiday favourites country-style.

ANIMATION "The Story of Santa Claus,'' Wednesday, December 4, CBS. The voices of Ed Asner, Betty White and Tim Curry are featured in a story about a gentle toymaker (Asner) whose only wish is to deliver a toy to every child on Christmas Day.

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas,'' Wednesday, December 4, Cartoon Network.

The perennial favorite based on the popular Dr. Seuss fable.

"Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too,'' Thursday, December 5. CBS. The inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood prepare for a bleak Christmas after Pooh accidentally sends their letter to Santa in the opposite direction from the North Pole.

"Frosty The Snowman,'' Friday, December 6, CBS. The popular holiday perennial narrated by Jimmy Durante and featuring that "jolly, happy soul.'' "A Pinky & The Brain Christmas,'' Wednesday, December 11. The WB. The ambitious Brain launches a scheme to conquer the world by exploiting the resources of Santa's workshop.

"An Edith Ann Christmas,'' Saturday, December 14. ABC. From actress Lily Tomlin and writer Jane Wagner is a tale following the holiday crisis of 6-year-old Edith Ann and her dysfunctional family.

STOCKING STUFFERS "Teens on Faith: A Spiritual Journey,'' Sunday, December 8, CBS. Teen-agers from a wide variety of religious backgrounds talk frankly about their faith.

"Martha Stewart: Home for the Holidays,'' Tuesday, December 10, CBS. The hostess with the mostess shares ideas for recipes, tree decorating and party planning. Michael Jordan, Dennis Franz and Miss Piggy are featured.

"Christmas Miracles,'' Sunday, December 22, ABC. Celebrities fulfill the wishes of children and their families from specially selected letters written to Santa.

"How Do You Spell God?'' Sunday, December 22, HBO. Children explore some of life's universal questions, thoughts on God and the importance of faith.

"Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade,'' Wednesday, December 25, ABC. Live from Walt Disney World, Suzanne Somers and Jerry Van Dyke host a two-hour holiday extravaganza filled with elves, dancing Christmas trees, snowmen, colourful floats and marching bands.