Based on the 2006 book of the same name by Chiodo and Jim Strain,[1] the special features the voices of Keythe Farley, Dee Bradley Baker, Kaliayh Rhambo, Michelle Deco and Barbara Goodson.

Her plan involves building a device dubbed "the Gyrotron," which will eliminate Earth's gravity on the North Magnetic Pole; objects on the planet will be sent into orbit, where the Klepts' spaceships can collect them.

The next day, Holly keeps X with her as she decorates with her mother, goes caroling, and attends a Christmas dinner, causing X to witness the elves' kindness and generosity towards one another.

[4] Though Alien Xmas utilized computer-generated imagery in scenes featuring spaceships, the majority of the special was produced using stop-motion animation.

[4] Stephen Chiodo stated that "we animated mostly on twos while maintaining the hand-made quality of Rankin & Bass, but we gave it a 21st century value.

[5] Polygon's Tasha Robinson compared Alien Xmas to How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Invader Zim and the stop-motion works of Rankin/Bass and called the special "a harmless holiday distraction, short and cute and speedbump-free.

"[1] Cheryl Eddy of io9 wrote that "Alien Xmas' message about consumerism may be simple, but that doesn’t make it any less valuable" and noted that "There are clever moments throughout that keep the movie from feeling too saccharine.

"[6] John Squires of Bloody Disgusting concluded: "Imaginative and heartfelt, Alien Xmas is far from the first Christmas special to highlight the importance of holiday togetherness versus a consumeristic obsession with stuff, but it's a timeless message the Chiodos deliver with the genuine earnestness of filmmakers who are bringing a passion project to life rather than churning out a lifeless product.