Features multiple non-speaking cameos from characters from other Rankin-Bass specials, including Jingle, Jangle, and Mrs. Claus from The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), the Three Wise Men from The Little Drummer Boy (1968), and Rudolph from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) and other productions.
Gene Autry is credited as one of the writers of the Nestor song, whose character arc is remarkably similar to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Autry introduced Rudolph's song to the public, but is not credited for writing it.
Olaf the donkey breeder appears to be of Germanic ethnicity, meaning his farm is probably at the Roman Empire's northernmost limits. Nestor's journey occurred around 4 BC, 12 years before Rome's northward colonisation of Germany was bloodily halted by the Battle of the Teutoberg Forest in AD 9. (There is no year 0, which should be factored into addition and subtraction between BC and AD years.)
Riffed by Michael J. Nelson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988) fame, under the Rifftrax line of comedy audio tracks, movie riffs, and live events.