We endeavored, as always, to print a representative sample of your comments:

"I think that Yukon Cornelius, from "Rudolph the Red-nosed Raindeer," is the best Christmas character ever. He should be in your survey!" D.D.M., Derby

"George, in "It's a Wonderful Life." How can anyone suggest any different?" B.J., Windsor

"I prefer the Nativity scene. Why wasn't that given as an option? Some of us still try to keep Christ in Christmas." A.N., Winchester

"Bar none -- the favorite character has to be the Charlie in the box from the island of mis-fit toys. Most everybody can relate to this story and it's humorous at the same time. Whoever came up with this character sobbing hysterically and saying "I'm a Charlie in the box -- nobody wants a Charlie in the box" was a genius!" Tony, Andover

"I know some might be offended at calling him a "character" -- unless they remember that a character is a player in a drama or other moment -- but my favorite "players" at this time of year are Jesus (because He is, after all, what this holiday is all about and because believing in Him has changed my life) and Mary, His mother, because of her courage, faith, and obedience in the face of public scorn (nobody believed God got her pregnant and people messed with His reputation 'til the day they crucified Him) private pain (her fiance and family didn't take this well for a while and she must have hurt for Him when nobody, her included, could understand some of his teachings, not to mention His deepest inner issues.) There are a lot of lessons to be learned from Jesus and Mary -- things I use in my personal life in this day and age." K.T., East Haven

"I think it's nice to make the person think a little when answering this festive question.Kind of brings you back to your own generation of "what you watched traditionally" for the holidays. I do say we have forgotten one (that contains) the season's strength and meaning. That one, I believe, would be "The Tiny Tree." How much we could gain in putting that in our personal daily lives. The moral of the story is well taken by those who seek it." Beth, Windham

"My favorite Christmas characters are "Heat Mizer" and "Cold Mizer" from the "Year Without a Santa Claus" movie. I love the song they sing in that movie." D.W.W., West Haven

"I suppose Jesus is not considered a character, as it seems you are only considering fictional/cartoon entities. But I am a firm believer that "Jesus is the reason for the season." " Don, Hartford

"My favorite holiday characters are the Muppets and company. In 1988 a special was done with Fozzie and friends going to visit his mom. By the end of the show all the Muppets were there -- Big Bird, and the Fraggles, and of course Kermit and company. It had the running gags and of course Miss Piggy made her grand entrance. The best part was that Jim Henson also appeared in it." D.B., Litchfield

"My vote is for "Olive -- the other reindeer." " R.M.H., Norwich

"My favorite are the Heat and Snow Mizers from "Year Without a Santa Claus." And we can't forget the Burgermeister from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" ... the "Bumble" from "Rudolph" ... you know, all the "bad guys" who make it fun to see what will happen. I've been like that since these shows have been on the air, even as a kid." Gerri, New Britain

"I love all of the characters of Christmas. You can't just pick one! But my favorite character of all is the Cat in the Hat!" Christina, North Haven

"Scrooge is warmer than Frosty, has more depth than Charlie Brown, is more human than Rudolph, more complex than the Grinch and more honest than Santa. He is all of us at some time in our life and teaches a lesson we all can relate to." C.V., New London

"Jesus Christ IS the reason for the season! Please include Him in your list. Actually He should be the only ONE on the list." Rev. A. Fretto, Bethel

"My favorite Christmas character is the Norelco Santa. Every year as I watch him sliding down on that electric shaver/sled I can't help but laugh til my socks fall off. Even the "noellco" pun is funny! That commercial will never get old, no matter what anyone says." J.P., Lakeville

I vote for Clarence, the wonderful angel who helps George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." J.V., Easton

"I think that the fact that the second highest percentage of people (so far) answered the Grinch is appalling. I believe the holidays that occur this time of year should be spent with your family remembering an important time in your religous history and should not focus on gifts and TV setting bad examples like "The Grinch." I can understand Charlie Brown and the gang because they aren't conniving ... Oh yeah, I'm only 13 and I see adults acting more childish than me." Me, Greens Farms

"My favorite character is the central focus of the holiday. It would still be the pagan Yule festival or the winter solstice without Him. Can you guess who it might be? Because of the commercial interests, He is in danger of losing His holiday. It angers me to hear the radio and TV commentators refer to " Holiday trees." We celebrate the day because our Creator reached out and touched His creation. He did so lovingly. We must never forget that." Jon, Glastobury

"Since when is Jesus Christ not the epitome of Christmas? My default choices would be the Grinch and Scrooge, since if you know their stories, the magic is in the giving, not the getting. Like the Grinch or Scrooge -- when you get the real spirit of the season, you get the best gift for yourself." E.T.A.M., Litchfield

"I have to admit that my favorites are not on your list. It is a tie between Mother Nature's sons, the Heat Miser and the Cold Misor. They are from the Christmas movie, "A Year Without Santa" ... I am 32 and they have been my favorites since I was a child." S.H.S., Waterford

"Who can resist the grinchy old Grinch?? He's been my favorite since I was a little girl!" G.G.B., Coventry

"Little CindyLou Who!" Heidi C., New London

"What About Jesus? The older I get and the more I practice and try to live my faith, the more frustrated I become at the "general public" regarding Christmas. Has EVERYONE forgotten the reason why Christians are supposed to be celebrating Christmas? Christmas is not about presents or baking or making sure the house is void of any dust particles -- it is about a savior. I do believe giving presents and baking for those we love are noble acts, but when these acts become merely items from a check-off list, annoyances that must be accomplished within a deadline, something is wrong. If we profess ourselves to be Christians and thus partake in Christmas, it should not matter in the least about the choice of a tree, Aunt Edna's preference for turnips, or making ourselves crazy fighting crowds of last minute shoppers in the mall. Christmas -- Jesus -- it is about the birth of a king, a savior. It is about a faith that will comfort us when we are sad and troubled and rejoice with us at happier times. My Christmas wish to the world -- don't let us forget what this season is meant to be about!" E. Korineck, East Lyme

"I hear too much abou the "holiday season" as is. But my favorite holiday character is the little-heard-from "Menorah Monster," which may not give presents, but is an awfully good defender of small children." K.M., Hamden