The 20 Best Christmas-Themed TV Episodes That Bring Out the Holiday Spirit
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All together now! AND WE NEED a little snappy, happy ever after, we need a little Christmas now show! Watching holiday-themed television is genuinely one of my favorite things to do in December. I love that I can put on an episode of my favorite show during the holiday season and treat myself to a little miniature Christmas tale. In the spirit of sharing, here are some of the best Christmas episodes of all time, including the ones I obsessively watch every year.
You could stop at one if you're looking for an alternative to a Christmas movie, but why? You can also spend hours downing episode after episode like eggnog. It's the perfect activity for wrapping presents, finishing that cup of cocoa, or unwinding after those stressful days of work leading up to your precious off time. It's always fun to see how television characters you know and love are on their best or worst behavior at the most wonderful time of year. Christmas episodes rule!!!!
Here's a tip: if you can't remember if your favorite show has a Christmas episode, and it's not on this list, Christmas episodes usually fall around episode 10 in the season. It's actually crazy how often this is the case.
The Bear Season 2, Episode 6 "Fishes"
Imagine the most stressful family holiday gathering of your life and double it. The latest entry into the classic Christmas episode canon is this nail-biting, cameo-heavy episode of The Bear. Just about any question you have about Carmy's family gets answered in this episode.
The West Wing Season 2, Episode 10 "Noël"
You wouldn't expect a political drama to have good Christmas episodes, but The West Wing knocked it out of the park every single time. This one, in which holiday music triggers Josh Lyman's PTSD and his coworkers come together to get him the help he needs to deal with a traumatic event, is my personal favorite.
My So-Called Life Season 1, Episode 15 "So-Called Angels"
This is another favorite and another Christmas episode that gets sad. It also gets a little spooky. When Angela's friend Ricky gets thrown out of his mom's house, an unhoused girl, who may or may not be a ghost, looks after him.
Lost Season 4, Episode 5 "The Constant"
This classic episode of the science fiction survival series is heavy on time travel and light on Christmas. The only holiday cheer comes at the very, very end. But it's so joyful when it does. And the way the episode stresses that other people can ground us (even if we live in the real world and aren't experiencing kinks in the space-time continuum) is right in line with the spirit of Christmas.
Community Season 3, Episode 10 "Regional Holiday Music"
Some people might prefer "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas," the stop-motion claymation episode from season 2 of the sitcom. But this is my favorite episode of the entire series. It's a perfect parody of Glee. The songs genuinely slap. It makes fun of some sillier aspects of the holiday season but still ends on a heartwarming note. Chef's kiss!
Happy Endings Season 3, Episode 7 "No Ho-Ho"
In this episode of the short(ish)-lived sitcom, the gang agrees to put off Christmas celebrations to focus on Jane's birthday. It's hard out there for Christmas babies! But try as they might, Christmas keeps creeping in.
Downton Abbey Season 2, Episode 9 "Christmas at Downton Abbey"
British TV shows are famous for their Christmas specials. Ask any Doctor Who fan, or don't if you prefer not to have your ears talked off. Sure, we all want to see the halls of Downton Abbey decked, but this episode is making the list for the snowy marriage proposal alone. Nothing bad happened to Mary and Matthew after that, right? They lived happily ever after?
Friends Season 7, Episode 10 “The One with The Holiday Armadillo”
Friends has so many Christmas episodes (and Thanksgiving episodes) with a range of iconic moments that it's kind of hard to pick just one. What I like about this one is how it has the gang figuring out how to make Christmas special for children, not just themselves.
The Office Season 2, Episode 10 "Christmas Party"
The Office Christmas episodes are also a whole thing. Some people just binge through them, skipping through the years. I respect it! But I think the OG takes the fruitcake. Never has a Yankee Swap been so dramatic and so hilarious.
Ted Lasso Season 2, Episode 4 "Carol Of The Bells"
Sometimes the saccharine nature of Ted Lasso isn't my favorite thing in the world. But at least it's appropriate at Christmas. I'm a grump, not a grinch! I'm also a sucker for a Love Actually homage, like anybody else. And Rebecca (Hannah Waddingam) gets to belt it out at the end of the episode, which is always appreciated.
The Mindy Project Season 2, Episode 11 “Christmas Party Sex Trap”
Mindy Kaling, who wrote on The Office before creating her own sitcom, obviously knows how to do a good Christmas episode. Only she would give a character a dramatic backstory about gingerbread houses. Plus, the chemistry between Mindy and Danny is on fire in this episode. This is the one with the dance, in case you somehow forgot.
Mad Men Season 5, Episode 10 "Christmas Waltz"
Of this show's handful of Christmas episodes, the fifth season entry is my favorite because of the scenes between Don and Joan. We rarely see those two characters interact, and it's a treat when we do. They have a mutual respect and camaraderie that's rare to see on any show, much less one set in the male-dominated world of a 1960s advertising agency. Plus, this is the episode where Joan snaps at Meredith the incompetent receptionist. Who isn't pushed to their limit at Christmas?
Gilmore Girls Season 2, Episode 10 "The Bracebridge Dinner"
All of the characters are forced together for one very forced Christmas dinner in this episode of Gilmore Girls. Family gatherings are commonplace during the holidays, but only a show like this could involve so many shenanigans.
Seinfeld Season 9, Episode 10 "The Strike"
AKA the sitcom episode that popularized Festivus for the rest of us. On December 23, we set aside the commercialism of the holiday season and air our grievances. We also watch this hilarious episode of Seinfeld.
Glee Season 2, Episode 10 "A Very Glee Christmas"
Not many Christmas episodes have their own album. You could just listen to the songs and not spend too much time thinking about Glee. Or you could watch the episode, which is just fine if not excellent as a stand-alone. It's worth it just for Kurt and Blaine's duet and Sue Sylvester's Grinch homage.
The OC Season 1, Episode 13 "The Best Chrismukkah Ever"
Where Festivus offers an alternative to Christmas and Hannukkah, Chrismukkah is about combining them. Seth, who "invented" the holiday so he could have the best of both worlds, celebrates that sentiment by playing the two girls vying for his nerdy attention off of each other. Two holidays and two girlfriends? It would take a Chrismukkah miracle for that not to be a total disaster.
New Girl Season 6, Episode 10 "Christmas Eve Eve"
Of course Jessica Day celebrates Christmas from the first second of November 1. She's so that person! (And if you are that person, cool! There are worse things in life than having something in common with Jess.) When the loft tries to intervene, she suggests they simplify Christmas by doing a Secret Santa. What follows is a funny, heartwarming, and hot half-hour about gift-giving.
Mythic Quest Season 3, Episode 6 "The 12 Hours of Christmas"
Of course, Mythic Quest's Christmas episode is about having to work through Christmas. I love the show, but nobody on that show has a healthy work/life balance. They manage to celebrate by the end of the episode, but geez!
Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 10 "Holiday Hookah"
You know this show is already iconic when it already has an unforgettable Christmas episode. The episode captured how awkward it is to run into coworkers outside of work, especially during the holidays when you're as far from "work mode" as possible. And even more especially if you have a crush on said coworker! Save Janine!!
M.A.S.H. Season 9, Episode 5 "Death Takes a Holiday"
This sitcom, about surgeons and nurses in the midst of the Korean War, also had a handful of Christmas episodes over its long run. In this one, the gang struggles against the clock to keep a dying patient alive so that Christmas isn't forever ruined for his kids back home. It's dark but touching in a way M.A.S.H. mastered.
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