Prismark10 Ziggy is is a silent character who always tries to do the best that he can but always comes across trouble. Ziggy gets a job working as a street Santa for a crooked fly by night who plans to take all the money raised from the fake Santas.Ziggy goes out with his dog and collects money in his donation pot and hands money out to a Salvation Army band, buys Christmas turkeys and sets them free. He also keeps a vagrant warm by giving him his clothes, takes in a cat. However there is also a thief who is after his pot and a cop who is rounding up all the phoney Santas. They all realise the value of giving when they end up in an orphanage.The animation is rather average, some of the voice work is annoying in fact it seemed to be ethnic caricatures but yet there is something heartwarming about the story and I liked Ziggy's dog doing his best to protect his master from the thief.

happipuppi13 I recently got to watch "Ziggy's Gift" on DVD because I had not seen this on TV since the 80s. For a holiday special it's quite simple and understated. It's setting is modern with a few of the things that make the holidays depressing mentioned.Ziggy is a plain and simple guy with a cute pet pup. He lives alone and it's never clear if he even works but he's in obvious financial straits in having to take a job as a street corner Santa. He doesn't have much but he still has room in his heart to be giving towards others.His timing for this occupation is unfortunate because the police are combing the city to find crooked Santas that are collecting money for themselves.Not knowing,Ziggy is followed by a really creepy looking guy who's really a sleaze. He's also followed by an officer who is suspicious of his activity. The holiday spirit seems lost until Ziggy,The policeman and the creep meet up in front of the local orphanage. They scuffle but then see they're being watched and quickly break into a Christmas Carol. They are then invited in and Ziggy,the cop and the creepy guy end up helping the kids with gifts and holiday cheer.It's a great special and it something that should be watched each year to remind us that,no matter how bad it gets in the world,we can't let those things destroy our humanity or our hearts. Here's to you Zig,you are not forgotten (END)

gwalsh1 Such a nice film. Great for any age. The storyline is typical Ziggy. The guy always wants to do good for people, and he has the same life troubles as the rest of us. The perfect icon of everything that is every person. Ziggy's Gift is the perfect date movie, especially in early courtship with someone. The holiday theme only adds to the heartfelt sentiments that are soooo Ziggy. It's a great film for the whole family to watch too. I can see grandparents and kids as young as 3 or 4 watching this together. Ziggy is great and Mr. Wilson deserves a lot of credit for taking the chance to extend him beyond the print pages. He created a classic flick to be enjoyed every holiday season.

Peter (3_Beekman_Place) This is a classic Christmas cartoon that deserves to be watched every year. Why it's not shown anymore is beyond me, but I bought this on video YEARS ago. It's a typical feel good story, like Charlie Brown or The Grinch... but it's simpler. Ziggy wants to help others during the holiday season. He takes a job ringing a bell, dressed like Santa and collect for the poor. But the man who hired him is running a scam and keeping the money. There's also a thief, who's after Ziggy and his money. And a cop... who's after the phony Santas. But more than the money, the thief wants the kettle, for it seems to have magical powers. The thief reaches in for something for himself and finds the kettle empty. Ziggy uses it to help others. It will make you feel great and want to watch it every year!