@MrsBentoBako
Only one factor matters:
What was the release date?
I don't know the answer to this question and am ambivalent enough to not google it!
@MrsBentoBako
Ah. Y'see I am with you, but some might reasonably argue that a summer release means it wasn't aimed at the Christmas market.
Still. It is a Christmas movie!
@stueytheround
It was released in July 1988, but for anyone who is a fan of the series, it’s a Christmas movie.