The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree

The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree

Year: 1979

Runtime: 25 mins

Language: English

Director: Mordicai Gerstein

AnimationComedyTV Movie

Papa Bear and the cubs search the woods for the perfect Christmas tree, but run afoul of the woodland animals who live in the trees they aim to cut down.

Warning: spoilers below!

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The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree (1979) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree (1979), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The story opens with Ron McLarty as Papa Bear, Pat Lysinger as Mama Bear, Jonathan Lewis as Brother Bear, and Gabriela Glatzer as Sister Bear. The family sets off on a cheerful picnic that feels like a glimpse into the past, a memory that hints at the bookish backstory of The New Baby. As they wander through a world where the seasons cycle with gentle inevitability, the moment reveals itself: Brother is the only cub at first, while Sister remains unseen, and the block becomes a quiet stage for questions, wonder, and family warmth.

Fall arrives with a slow, thoughtful pace. When Brother isn’t playing by the bog with friends, he turns to Papa with a steady stream of questions about life, big ideas, and small mysteries. Papa, with a kind patience but few ready answers, chooses to engage and explore along with him, turning each question into a shared journey rather than a lecture. The family’s conversations drift and shift with the wind, and the changing light of the season seems to color their talk with a hint of magic.

As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter settles in, the questions persist, and so does the quiet anxiety that something precious might be missing. Mama and Papa brood over an Easter surprise they’ve planned but won’t reveal, while Brother notices the everyday changes of growing up—especially that he can’t quite sit on Mama’s lap the way he used to. The anticipation around Easter becomes a thread that binds the family together, even as the cold outside makes everyone long for a sign of spring.

When the family learns that Boss Bunny—the official Easter Bunny of Bear Country who kicks off spring—has quit, disappointment sinks in. Papa, who had joined Brother in feeling somber about the absence of Easter, decides to take matters into his own paws and attempts to fill the gap by creating his own candy and egg factory. The plan starts with good intentions and a spark of ingenuity, but the effort soon spirals into trouble, testing the family’s resilience and trust in one another.

Meanwhile, Brother grows more determined to fix the situation himself. He teams up with his friend Bill Bunny, who reveals himself to be Boss Bunny’s son. Together, they uncover a hidden path to a long-forgotten, dilapidated Easter Factory. They locate Boss Bunny—sleeping and a little out of touch with the pace of the world—and plead for him to resume his duties. Boss Bunny, worn by years and the weight of responsibility, confesses that the work of turning seasons and delivering new life feels like too much to bear. He resists, until a vision of hope arrives in the form of the Great Spring Rainbow, a magical sign that rekindles his energy and revives the factory’s orbit. The Easter operation hums back to life, and the cycle of renewal begins again.

On Easter morning, Brother discovers his long-awaited candy, a small triumph that feels earned through care and perseverance. Yet the day brings a more profound surprise: Baby Sister Bear has entered the world. When Brother asks where she came from, Papa is momentarily speechless, and Mama smiles with quiet certainty, reminding him of the miracle of new life. The family feels a renewed sense of fullness as Brother realizes he can once again sit on Mama’s lap, a small but meaningful return to the warmth that mark the heart of their home.

This tale threads together wonder, responsibility, and the gentle patience of family, inviting readers to watch two generations of bears navigate doubt, hope, and the joys that accompany the arrival of a new cub. It ** celebrates renewal through shared effort and belief** while maintaining a grounded, cozy sense of Bear Country’s everyday magic.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:31

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Berenstain Bears’ Christmas Tree

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