The winter holidays find Bear and his friends planning a big celebration. They're all getting ready for Christmas, but also learn about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Bear also celebrates his favorite tradition, The finding of the winter berry.
As things start out, Pip and Pop have put together a reindeer wreath. Everyone wants to help out with the wreath, so Bear suggests they all add something of their own. Later, the group meets Santa Hogg and presents him with a large list of holiday wishes. Then there's a bit of an argument when Treelo wants to open everyone's presents and not just his own.
In the Shadow segment, Shadow thanks Bear for his gift of a scarf --- Shadows don't get cold, but it's the thought that counts. She then sings the song "It's Kwanzaa Time."
After hearing a howling noise, the group takes in an old hound named Jack with no home and invites him to stay at the Big Blue House for the holidays. This gets everyone thinking about the true meaning of the holidays.
The story continues in part two.
Songs
Berry Bear Christmas
A Holiday for Everyone
That's All I Want for Christmas
It's Kwanzaa Time
What If (There Was No Big Blue House)
Just Listen
Notes
Shadow twists the format of the Shadow segment in this episode. Instead of Bear searching for her, she searches for him and sings "Where Oh Where is Bear?"
The dog in the Shadow Projects logo in the closing credits says "Happy holidays!" in Treelo's voice, but only on the TV version.
Both parts of this special were adapted as the book Bear's Berry Christmas.
Dave Goelz performed Jack in this double length episode with a voice that resembles Uncle Traveling Matt and Waldorf.
Cuts
When the special aired on Playhouse Disney over two days, the first Shadow segment was cut, as well as Bear hanging the reindeer wreath on the door and then hearing the kids arguing.
On the VHS version of the special, there are no closing credits shown --- instead, Luna is shown setting
