Every ‘The Office’ Christmas Episode, in Order of Festiveness
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By no stretch of the imagination is The Office underrated, but allow us to give the show its flowers—poinsettias, to be specific. The unsung heroes of the famous series are the holiday episodes, all of which—yes, all of which—are stellar.
The illusive holiday special is something no network sitcom has ever been able to do right, and in the era of the rewatch, we don’t blame you for entirely skipping over the random Christmas episodes that were required of every show circa 2010. Glee, we’re talking about you. The New Directions’ nativity scene was absolutely uncalled for. Brittany S. Pierce believing Santa is real and wishing for Artie to gain the ability to walk? Out of pocket.
The Office is the exception. The writers, the actors, the set designers—all of them understood the assignment. Here is every holiday-themed episode of The Office, in the order you should watch them.
“Moroccan Christmas” (Season 5)
This episode has it all. Where lesser sitcoms fumble in the randomness of a holiday episode written and filmed in summer, aired on network television in late fall, The Office soars. Fans of The Office will tell you the value is in the character development, and in this episode, they each do their thing with bells on. Dwight’s Scrooge-like libertarianism inspires him to buy out the most popular doll of the holiday season and sell it to Scranton locals at double the price, and Meredith’s alcoholism appears in full display. Michael’s festive, boozy Arabian Nights-inspired Christmas party soon becomes an intervention, with Michael attempting to forcibly admit Meredith into rehab.
A Benihana Christmas” (Season 3)
We’re breaking our own rules. This season 3 gem is not among the most festive, but it is far and away the funniest. The highlights include Michael taking the boys of Dunder Mifflin to “Asian Hooters” (Benihana) and taking two waitresses (not waitresses, two brand new Asian women) back to the office, where he finds it absolutely impossibly to tell the two women apart, branding his date with a marker like cattle, and proceeding to sing “Your Body is a Wonderland” to both women. Further, we see Michael absolutely covet his gift from corporate, a branded bath robe, and invent a stomach-turning holiday cocktail using sake and eggnog—the “Nog-a-sake.”
“Christmas Party” (Season 2)
In its time, the funniest show on television did the impossible—actually making Secret Santa fun. This episode, the first holiday episode in The Office history, sees Michael Scott organize an office-wide gift exchange, far exceeding the $20 spending limit to gift his protege Ryan a brand new $400 iPod. In classic Office hijinx, the rules become misconstrued, the Secret Santa game turning into a White Elephant gift exchange, which leaves Michael out $400 and the owner of Phyllis’ homemade oven mitt.
“Secret Santa” (Season 6)
The episode marked by competing Santas arrives in season 6 when Jim and Dwight, the then leaders of the Party Planning Committee, allow Phyllis to dress up as Santa for the party. A furious Michael turns up in his own Santa suit, inciting a battle of the lap sits across the office. This is also the episode where a lovesick Andy gifts Erin all 12 Days of Christmas, to her bemusement.
“Classy Christmas” (Season 7)
After seven seasons, this episode kicks off with what seems like a normal Christmas party. Michael in the Santa suit and paper snowflakes adoring the walls of the paper company. Things take a turn when Toby shares that Holly, Michael’s long lost love, will return as his replacement as he leaves to serve jury duty. Classic Christmas becomes Classy Christmas in an effort to win Holly’s heart
“Dwight Christmas” (Season 9)
The end of an era. The final Christmas episode from The Office. This season 9 episode sees Dwight host a Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Party, dressing up as a German Christmas beast named Belsnickel. In lieu of eggnog and Christmas cookies, Dwight serves rabbit stew, pig stomach, and mulled wine.
“Christmas Wishes” (Season 8)
The least festive holiday episode is also the only one not to feature the heart of The Office, Michael Scott. As we all know too well, Steve Carell left the series in season seven, going on to star in such dramas as Foxcatcher, The Big Short, and Beautiful Boy. He also voiced Gru in Despicable Me, but hey, you’d do it too for a check. In this episode, Andy attempts to fill the shoes of Dunder Mifflin’s former leader, dressing up as Santa and vowing to fulfill each employee’s Christmas wish.
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