Much of the special takes several cues from Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996). Both specials feature a celebrity narrator, a plot dealing with Elmo having to save Christmas, a magic-producing Christmas-like device, a celebrity playing Santa, and the climaxes feature a "lost hope" moment before a deus ex machina comes in to save everything.
While Caroll Spinney performs Big Bird for most of the special, when he says "No!" twice during "I Want a Snuffleupagus for Christmas", his vocals were provided by Matt Vogel.
Many of the winter clothes worn by the Muppets were previously worn in Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas (1996). During "I Want a Snuffleupagus for Christmas", Big Bird wears the same Christmas tree necktie from his "All I Want For Christmas is You" number.
The background for Sesame Street does not use the traditional brownstone set and instead uses an artsy pop-up book look, mimicking the feel of Stiller the Elf telling the story through a pop-up book.
Abby Cadabby's first appearance in a Sesame Street Christmas special.