Suzanne Collins co-wrote the teleplay for Santa, Baby! (2001). She would go on to write The Hunger Games (2012) trilogy.
Santa, Baby! (2001) remains Rankin/Bass Productions' only production that features predominantly African-American characters and actors.
Arthur Rankin Jr., who had produced classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Frosty the Snowman (1969), The Little Drummer Boy (1968), and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) - the longest running, highest rated Christmas specials in history - tried for years to get Santa, Baby! (2001) produced, but faced resistance because of its departure from "traditional" Christmas fare, namely its urban setting and jazz-influenced soundtrack. Ultimately, the Coca-Cola Company stepped in and sponsored it in 2001, and it would be the last Christmas special Rankin would produce.
Santa, Baby! (2001) was Rankin/Bass Productions' first Christmas-themed made-for-TV movie in 16 years, following The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (1985). It was also the production company's first overall made-for-TV movie in 14 years, following The Wind in the Willows (1983).
The special gets its name from the 1953 song of the same name by Eartha Kitt, which is prominently performed in the special and appears many times on the soundtrack. Additionally, of all the Rankin/Bass holiday-themed TV specials based on popular songs, Santa, Baby! (2001) remains the only special in which the original artist participated.