This episode is the only one that was written by Mimi Pond. Al Jean made the name of the episode. It is an allusion to the song "The Christmas Song" (also named "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"). David Silverman is the director of the episode. Rich Moore made the storyboard and the design of Ned Flanders. Eric Stefani animated some parts of the episode. Barney Gumble is seen with blonde hair in the episode. His hair color was changed to brown because Groening wanted the Simpson family to only have yellow hair. These characters are first seen in the episode: Principal Skinner, Milhouse Van Houten, Sherri and Terri, Moe Szyslak, Mr. Burns, Barney Gumble, Patty and Selma, Ned Flanders, Todd Flanders, Santa's Little Helper, Snowball II, Dewey Largo, and Lewis. Waylon Smithers talks in a speaker, but he is not seen in the episode.