The idea of Santa's elves using "frostbite" as a curse word was previously used in the play 'The Workshop,' which debuted several years before this special aired.
The animation model for the German Shepherd that the elves knock out in the opening sequence is the same for the lead character in Volt, star malgré lui (2008). The Shepherd in this special has traditional coloring of black and tan fur, while Bolt is an all-white Shepherd.
The Christmas Tree from Joyeux Noël, Charlie Brown! (1965) appears behind Magee's desk when she discards her coffee. If you look closely, it even loses some pine needles, with the exact same sound effect.