I guess I’ve been really nostalgic lately, but I’ve been thinking about Christmases as a child, walking past a Radio Shack and seeing (what I thought at the time were) super awesome Christmas animations playing on the beige CRT monitors of the Tandy computers inside.

Thankfully, I’m not alone, as I’ve found so many of these Christmas demos preserved in beautiful 8-bit quality on YouTube! So grab some hot cocoa and a warm blanket, and sit back and let the 3-voice audio and pixelated snowmen take you back to Christmases of early computing.

Tandy Bears Christmas Demo

Tandy Corporation, known for its Radio Shack stores, entered the home computer market with the TRS-80 in 1977, becoming a significant player in the early personal computer revolution. The Tandy 1000 series, introduced in 1984, was a line of IBM PC-compatible systems that offered affordable and capable options for home computing and education. The Tandy 1000 EX, released in December 1986, was an entry-level model with a built-in keyboard and 5.25” floppy drive, marketed as a starter system. It featured 256KB of RAM. The Tandy 1000 HX, launched in 1987, was similar to the EX but included a 3.5” floppy drive. These models were part of Tandy’s strategy to provide cost-effective and user-friendly computers to the masses, contributing to the widespread adoption of personal computing.

TRS-80 Color Computer 3 Christmas Demo 1986

The TRS-80 Color Computer 3, introduced by Tandy Corporation in 1986, was the final iteration in the TRS-80 Color Computer line, often referred to as “CoCo.” The CoCo 3 featured a Motorola 6809E processor and was available with memory options ranging from 128KB to 512KB. The CoCo 3 was a significant upgrade over the previous models, offering improved graphics capabilities and more memory, making it a powerful option for both home and educational use. The TRS-80 Color Computer 3 was discontinued in 1991.

Sierra On-Line Electronic Christmas Card 1986

Sierra Online Entertainment, originally founded as On-Line Systems in 1979 by Ken and Roberta Williams, was an American video game developer and publisher renowned for pioneering the graphic adventure game genre. Their innovative titles, including the first graphic adventure game, Mystery House, and beloved series such as King’s Quest, Space Quest, and Leisure Suit Larry, captivated gamers throughout the 80s and 90s. Sierra was also known for its unique marketing initiatives, such as the annual electronic Christmas card sent to vendors, which showcased their creativity and technological prowess. These interactive e-cards, created using their own game engines, were a festive tradition from 1986 to 1992, reflecting the company’s commitment to engaging with their community in memorable ways.

Sierra On-Line Electronic Christmas Card 1992

C64 Merry Christmas Demo 1989

Commodore 64 Christmas Hits Disk 1984