Being a Bowie freak, I actually remember watching that Bing Crosby special on TV when it originally aired. 1973 seems a bit early, but you may be right.
If you want another spin on The Little Drummer Boy...go get the Jimi Hendrix version. It is the Christmas version of what he did to The Star-Spangled Banner from Woodstock.
He also does Auld Lang Syne if you want to do a Classic Rock New Year. Which reminds me...best wishes to Dick Clark. Dick had a stroke and doing the "Rockin" New Year Show might be in jeopardy.