The 7 Best Christmas Episodes Ever (well, in my opinion)

Christmas on TV shows can be hideous to watch. Everything is over decorated and corny and just annoying. But sometimes a show hits it just right, like Friends managed to do with Thanksgiving every year. But these are some of my favorite Christmas episodes.

The Best Christmas Ever, That 70's Show (1998)

"Hyde: Mrs. Pinciotti? Look, I was thinking about getting a present for... this girl. And, um, you know, she's about Donna's age, so I was kind of wondering what Donna likes?
Midge: Perfume. Donna wears White Shoulders. It's not just for shoulders; you can wear it anywhere!
Hyde: Really.
Midge: Sure! Like your neck... or the mall."


Oh such a long time ago, but this was one of my favorites. Basically, Red gives Eric $40 to buy a Christmas tree (oh the 1970s) but instead Eric and the guys keep the money and cut down a tree off the interstate so they can buy a beer and throw a party. So that's the main hilarious story. But this is when we really get to see Hyde's true feeling for Donna (I actually always wanted them together) and we got to see a drunk Jackie (a very young Mila Kunis) and Kelso's obsession for Eric's sister Laurie, which displayed some of Ashton Kutcher's great physical comedy abilities. The hideous Christmas sweaters, decorations and music make this episode perfect. And for the first five years, it was a hilarious show and this episode highlights that.

The Best Christmaskkah Ever, The O.C. (2003)

Ryan: You better pray for a Chrismukkah miracle.
Seth: I've got Jesus and Moses on my side, man.


Remember when The O.C. was like the most popular television show on earth? Remember when Mischa Barton was relevant? And it invented all those cultural terms? The most famous of them all was Christmuskkah (even if they didn't invent it, it was definitely highly associated with this series.) It blended Christmas and Hanukkah! Seth Cohen became the voice of all those children that are forced to celebrate both holidays and get a sh*t load of presents. I mean this combo holiday was brought up on all four seasons (remember when The O.C. became the least popular show on earth?) but I remember this one during the second season was particularly great. Ryan's new gal pal (yup, I just used that term) made Christmas Yarmuclauses. Plus, as always, the soundtrack was always amazing. Watch this clip to understand. 

Finally, Felicity (1998)

Elena: She's working with Ben.
Noel: Ohh. Uh...
Elena: Look, you don't have to pretend that this doesn't rip you to shreds.

Perhaps one of my favorite holiday episodes ever even though it has very little to do with actually celebrating Christmas. Felicity truly captured the shittiness of college finals. The intenseness and panic that leads to camraderie.  I love the subtitles when they are they in the quiet rooms and Noel's freakout after taking smart powder may be one of the best freakouts in television history. God bless Scott Foley (and of course always, God bless Scott Speedman.)

Afternoon Delight, Arrested Development (2004) 

Al: Need a hand with that?
Gob: No, Al, I want to spill booze all over my freaking $6,300 suit. Come on on!!"

Anything this show did was absolutely brilliant but this Christmas episode was particularly amazing!

Fall on your Knees, Popular (1999)

Wow. My nostalgia for television in the late 1990s is becoming very apparent. This show was very short-lived and was mostly weird but it had its moments. This was a Ryan Murphy show and you can definitely see a lot of Glee in it. Anyway, the Christmas episode did the classic Christmas Carol take off except crazy. But Nicole was one of the most entertaining high school queen Bees so it was a fun one to watch.

Christmas Party, The Office (2005)

Kevin: Why did you get it so big?
Michael: A. That's what she said, and B. I wanted it to be impressive, biggest day of the year deserves the biggest tree of the year.


All of The Office Christmas episodes were great but this one during Season 2 was my favorite. It is one of the best examples of what made this series so great. Just so much awkwardness. I also thought it was one of the sweetest episodes for the courtship of Jim and Pam.

A Charlie Brown Christmas  (1965)

Ok, so it is not really a television show but it is one of the best television specials, if the not the best one, made ever, From the perfect Vince Guaraldi music to the perfect dialogue and those amazing dance moves. It brings warmth to my heart.