"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was written by Mimi Pond and directed by David Silverman, and was the only episode of the series to air during the 1980s.

[3] "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire" was viewed by approximately 13.4 million people in its original airing, and was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 1990.

After attending the Springfield Elementary School Christmas pageant, the Simpsons prepare for the holiday season.

She is forced to spend the family's entire holiday budget on the procedure, believing that Homer's Christmas bonus will cover gift expenses.

When he learns Marge spent the family's holiday money on tattoo removal, Homer moonlights as a shopping mall Santa at the suggestion of his friend Barney Gumble.

After Homer's Santa gig pays far less than expected due to deductions for training and uniform, he and Bart receive a greyhound racing tip from Barney.

At Springfield Downs, Homer bets all his money on a last-minute entry named Santa's Little Helper, a 99–1 long shot.

They return home, where Homer's confession to not getting his Christmas bonus is interrupted when Bart introduces Santa's Little Helper to the others.

However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial short episodes.

[7] Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called "the mainstream trash" they were watching.

Groening also used that reference in his comic strip Life in Hell when he spoofed himself as a young man, being told that it is too bad his grandmother was from Russia because Christmas was against the law there.

Also, Groening claims that this episode has been incorrectly credited with creating the "alternate version" of "Jingle Bells" that has become a well-known children's playground song.

[9] Seymour Skinner, Milhouse Van Houten, Ralph Wiggum, Sherri & Terri, Moe Szyslak, Mr. Burns, Barney Gumble, Patty & Selma, Grampa Simpson, Ned & Todd Flanders, Santa's Little Helper, Snowball II, Dewey Largo, and Lewis all make their first appearances in this episode.

"[16] Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, the authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, said of the episode: "pretty standard early fare, with the series not quite hitting its stride".

[19] In 2009, IGN named the episode number 4 on its "Top 10 Holiday Specials" list, writing "With the off-beat sense of humor that we have learned to love from The Simpsons and a story showing the value of family on the Christmas holiday, we can't help but watch this great special every year.

[26] Coinciding with the broadcast's 35th anniversary on December 17, 2024, Disney+ released the complete episode onto YouTube, preceded by an introductory segment with director Silverman alongside showrunner Matt Selman promoting the new Simpsons Christmas special "O C'mon All Ye Faithful".