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With Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us, the focus now shifts to Christmas, marked by festive music, ubiquitous decorations, and cheesy holiday movies taking over TV channels. While Christmas films are enjoyable, there’s a special charm to holiday-themed episodes of beloved TV shows that bring both festive cheer and a sense of comforting familiarity. These episodes often become yearly traditions for families to revisit, adding to the joy of the season. However, not all Christmas episodes are created equal. To help you navigate the plethora of options, here’s a ranked list of the best TV Christmas episodes of all time. As of the latest update on December 5, 2023, this article has been refreshed with additional fantastic Christmas episodes and information on where to stream each title during this holiday season.
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The Best TV Christmas Episodes of All Time
The Simpsons – “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” (Season 1, Episode 1)
The inaugural episode of The Simpsons, a Christmas special titled “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” sets the stage for the show’s enduring success. In typical Simpsons fashion, the family encounters various challenges, such as Marge spending their Christmas budget on removing Bart’s tattoo. Homer, in need of money, takes on the role of a mall Santa, leading to unexpected misadventures. Despite a failed bet on a greyhound, the Simpsons find the best Christmas gift by adopting the dog and naming him Santa’s Little Helper.
What makes this episode great is its early showcase of the winning combination of humor and heartfelt moments that would define the series. While the show had yet to reach its peak, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” captures the essence of Christmas TV with a compelling story, solid jokes, and a heartwarming conclusion.
Ted Lasso – “Carol of the Bells (Season 2, Episode 4)
Ted Lasso gained immense popularity with its 2020 debut on Apple TV+, prompting the creators to extend the second season with two additional episodes, including a Christmas special titled “Carol of the Bells.” Despite having a pre-existing series outline, the creators seized the opportunity to explore how the characters on the Richmond team celebrate the holidays. In this heartwarming episode, Ted, feeling lonely due to being unable to spend the day with his son, joins Rebecca in delivering toys to children in need. Meanwhile, Roy and Keeley embark on a humorous quest to address Roy’s niece Phoebe’s bad breath.
The special episode highlights Ted’s significant impact on the team, as evidenced by the entire Richmond team gathering at the Higgens family’s Christmas celebration. The episode’s title, “To the family, we are born with, and to the family, we make along the way,” reflects the central theme of the series—how individuals come together to uplift and improve each other. “Carol of the Bells” skillfully delves into a range of emotions, from Roy and Keeley’s comedic moments to the poignant exploration of Ted’s hidden sadness during the holiday season. The culmination of the episode, with everyone joining in a rendition of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” showcases a beautiful moment of unity and surrogate family bonds. This impactful episode likely contributed to the subsequent Apple TV+ special, “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas,” where Waddingham sings additional Christmas so
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “A Very Sunny Christmas” (Season 5, Episode 13)
In “A Very Sunny Christmas,” Dennis and Dee decide to teach Frank a lesson about his behavior during the holidays by contacting an old business partner who betrayed him. Meanwhile, Mac and Charlie uncover unpleasant truths about their past Christmases, leading to a brawl between Charlie and a mall Santa. The episode showcases the show’s signature humor, combining outrageous silliness and dark twists on the traditional family Christmas. From Charlie’s Santa brawl to a memorable stop-motion sequence and Frank’s unconventional emergence from a couch, the episode is packed with iconic moments that contribute to its status as one of the funniest episodes in the It’s Always Sunny series. You can catch it on Hulu.
Friends – “The One With The Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)
Season seven of Friends is often considered the weakest, but it boasts the standout Christmas episode, “The One With The Holiday Armadillo.” Ross, eager to share his Jewish heritage with his disinterested son Ben, attempts to buy a Santa Claus costume. Unable to find one, he improvises with the Holiday Armadillo. The episode’s humor stems from the absurdity of a grown man dressed as an armadillo being overshadowed by Santa and Superman. David Schwimmer’s comedic performance shines, and despite a less engaging B-plot involving Phoebe dissuading Rachel from living with Joey, the episode delivers plenty of laughs and charm. The memorable penultimate scene and Rachel’s quip about the Easter Bunny’s funeral add to its brilliance.
Grey’s Anatomy – “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” (Season 2, Episode 12)
The mid-season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, titled “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,” captures the essence of the show with its compelling blend of drama and heartwarming moments. While the doctors at Seattle Grace grapple with difficulties embracing the Christmas spirit, Izzie stands out as a festive enthusiast, bringing her roommates into the holiday cheer. George, on the other hand, faces challenges with his overbearing family invading his life during the festive season. The episode explores the religious differences between Christina and Burke, prompting a discussion on the significance of Christmas. What makes this episode great is its skillful balance of drama and heart, culminating in a touching scene where Meredith, George, and Izzie share a moment under the Christmas tree. With humor, a strong guest cast, and well-chosen music, “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” effectively captures the holiday spirit and leaves viewers with a comforting feeling.
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Parks and Recreation – “Citizen Knope” (Season 4, Episode 10)
Much like other notable Christmas episodes in television, Parks and Recreation has its share of memorable holiday moments. However, the standout among them is undoubtedly “Citizen Knope.” In this episode, following her suspension, Leslie Knope is forbidden from performing her Parks-related duties by Chris Traeger. Despite attempts to focus on her campaign, her advisors encourage her to take a break. This proves challenging for Leslie, given her driven nature. To lift her spirits, the Parks department collaborates to give Leslie the perfect Christmas gifts: a gingerbread replica of the department and a commitment to be her campaign staff.
What sets “Citizen Knope” apart is its seamless blend of Christmas spirit with the show’s inherent themes of joy and camaraderie. The episode effectively portrays Leslie Knope as not only a great boss but also a cherished friend, showcasing the genuine appreciation she receives from those around her. With its mix of humor, such as Ben’s amusing interview with the overly-eager Barney, and heartfelt moments, “Citizen Knope” embodies the ideal Christmas episode—a delightful and tender addition to the series.
Community – “Ahbed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” (Season 2, Episode 11)
Certainly! “Ahbed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” is widely regarded as the standout Christmas episode in the Community series. This festive installment cleverly parodies classic stop-motion Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The plot revolves around Ahbed taking the group on an imaginary adventure to “Planet Ahbed,” transforming them into claymation toy versions of themselves on a journey to the North Pole. The episode is a delightful and bonkers 22 minutes of Christmas-themed television, showcasing Community at its best. It seamlessly blends originality, charm, and wit, surpassing many shows in a full season. The high-concept idea of spoofing stop-motion classics is executed with brilliance, paying homage rather than mocking. Beyond the humor, the episode also serves as a poignant character study of Ahbed Nadir. With its visual appeal and superb performances, “Ahbed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” is a must-watch during the holiday season.
Seinfeld – “The Strike” (Season Nine, Episode 10)
Seinfeld’s “The Strike,” often dubbed the “Festivus” episode, stands out as a memorable and acclaimed installment in the show’s final season. The plot revolves around George’s father, Frank Costanza, introducing the unconventional holiday of Festivus to avoid Christmas gift-giving. George embraces the idea, creating a fake charity, while Jerry navigates a relationship with a woman whose appearance varies. Meanwhile, Kramer ends his 12-year work strike.
Despite airing towards the series finale, “The Strike” showcases Seinfeld’s enduring brilliance. The episode is praised for maintaining a high level of humor and delivering equally captivating storylines. Filled with clever dialogue, comedic twists, and a notable guest cast, including Bryan Cranston as Dr. Tim Whatley, the episode is considered a masterpiece. Its impact extends beyond the show, as fans now participate in annual Festivus celebrations, highlighting the lasting influence of this comedic gem.
Doctor Who – “A Christmas Carol (2010 Holiday Special)
Since its 2005 revival, Doctor Who has annually presented Christmas episodes (later transitioning to New Year’s Specials during Jodie Whitaker’s era) that fans eagerly anticipate. Under Russell T. Davies, these specials were grand events, while Steven Moffat used them to re-imagine classic stories, with “A Christmas Carol” standing out as the best. In this episode, the Doctor takes on the roles of the Christmas Past, Present, and Future for an older man (portrayed by the late Michael Gambon) in a bid to make him a better person and prevent a starship disaster.
What sets “A Christmas Carol” apart is its clever blending of Doctor Who’s time travel elements with the timeless narrative of A Christmas Carol. The episode skillfully weaves a heartfelt story about personal transformation over the course of one night. The outstanding performances by Matt Smith and Michael Gambon, accompanied by the enchanting singing of Katherine Jenkins, contribute to the episode’s excellence. The aesthetic, seamlessly merging Victorian England with a sci-fi backdrop, revitalizes the holiday classic, making “A Christmas Carol” not only one of the finest Christmas specials but also a standout in the Doctor Who series.
The Office – “Christmas Party” (Season 2, Episode 10)
“Christmas Party” stands out as one of the standout Christmas episodes in The Office’s nine-season run. The episode centers around Michael organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange, where he goes over the spending limit by gifting Ryan a lavish iPod. When Michael receives a homemade oven glove from Phyllis, he turns the exchange into a white elephant party, leading to comedic chaos. The episode also advances the relationship between Pam and Jim, as Jim gives Pam a thoughtful teapot filled with inside jokes. The final moments include a drunken Meredith exposing herself to Michael, creating a memorable and humorous conclusion. What makes “Christmas Party” exceptional is its ability to capture the essence of the show, showcasing Michael’s humorously selfish tendencies and involving each character in a chaotic yet sweet storyline. As the show considers a reboot, there’s anticipation for whether it can recreate the greatness of this iconic episode.
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