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The holiday season is in full swing, which means people are tuning into their favor holiday shows, movies and music to get themselves in the spirit.
Without fail, each year brings new Christmas-themed content to American homes, be it for the ears or eyes, but holiday entertainment released from years past is never ignored. From the halls of Dunder Mifflin to the iconic Central Perk in "Friends," the holiday season has a special place in our beloved TV shows.
As the chilly winds and twinkling lights envelop us, it is a perfect time to cozy up with the best Christmas-themed TV episodes that have warmed our hearts over the years.
- "Glee: Extraordinary Merry Christmas"
- "Schitt's Creek: Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose"
- "New Girl: Christmas Eve Eve"
- "Friends: The One with the Holiday Armadillo"
- "30 Rock: Ludachristmas"
- "Modern Family: Undeck the Halls"
- "The Jeffersons: 984 W. 124th St., Apt 5C"
- "Home Improvement: "'Twas The Flight Before Christmas"
- "The Office: Christmas Party"
- "The West Wing: In Excelsis Deo"
THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES OF ALL TIME (WE THINK)
1. "Glee: Extraordinary Merry Christmas"
Left to right, Jenna Ushkowitz, Lea Michele and Dianna Agron in the "Glee" episode "Extraordinary Merry Christmas." (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
Nothing says Christmastime like carols, which was a specialty for the case of "Glee."
In "Extraordinary Merry Christmas," the titular glee club is given the opportunity of a lifetime to star in a Christmas special on television, but they turn down an opportunity to volunteer for the needy to do so – until they are filled with the giving spirit and find a way to take both paths.
Better yet, the episode features a cover of Mariah Carey's classic holiday song "All I Want for Christmas is You," as well as a slew of other iconic numbers.
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2. "Schitt's Creek: "Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose"
"Schitt's Creek" cast from left to right: Annie Murphy, Daniel Levy, Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. (Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Admiration of "Schitt's Creek" skyrocketed over the last few years despite debuting on television in 2015. As the show grew in popularity, it seemed fitting that a Christmas episode be squeezed in.
In the special episode titled "Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose," the once-wealthy Johnny Rose reminisces about the extravagant Christmas parties he and his wife, Moira, once hosted before ending up homeless and without a dime.
In typical "Schitt's Creek" fashion, Johnny's family – and the town – come together to throw a last-minute party on Christmas Eve, despite various obstacles.
3. "New Girl: "Christmas Eve Eve"
The episode "Christmas Eve Eve" brings holiday cheer as the "New Girl" crew, joined by the incredible Darlene Love, embraces the spirit of the season with laughter and heartwarming moments. (FOX Image Collection via Getty Images)
After several years together, Jessica Day decides to spruce up Christmas with her roommates by organizing a secret Santa gift exchange.
When Jessica selects her ex-boyfriend Nick, she puts on her big girl shoes and pays to fly his current girlfriend, played by Megan Fox, out for the holiday.
Outside gift-giving, however, the end of the episode brings a special treat with an appearance from Darlene Love, a music industry staple known for her Christmas tunes. She even sings her holiday hit, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."
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4. "Friends: The One with the Holiday Armadillo"
From left to right, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox and David Schwimmer in "Friends." Schwimmer's Ross Gellar is dressed as the fictional "Holiday Armadillo." (Warner Bros. Television)
Not every show centers on characters who celebrate Christmas, which was partially the case with the hit sitcom "Friends."
"Friends" holds a special spot in the festive lineup with many memorable holiday moments. Ross Gellar learns that he will be hosting his young son for the holidays and decides to teach him about their Jewish heritage. Frustrated with the lack of Hanukkah-themed icons to entertain his kiddo, he chooses to make one himself – the "Holiday Armadillo."
Ross struggled to teach Ben about Hanukkah and was upstaged by Chandler's Santa Claus, though he displayed valid effort as a holiday desert animal. The gang's hilarious mishaps and heartfelt celebrations made every Christmas episode a nostalgic treat.
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5. "30 Rock: Ludachristmas"
The performances of Tina Fey, Elaine Stritch and Alec Baldwin in "30 Rock" create a festive blend of comedy and charm, making this Christmas-themed episode a delightful watch for the holiday season. (Nicole Rivelli/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
For some, the holidays are known as a point of tension and stress, which is what "Ludachistmas" addresses when various characters' families come to visit.
Liz Lemon's loving family pays her a visit, but the crew is quickly unraveled when the mother of Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy sinks her teeth into the seemingly perfect family.
The family feud takes place all while Lemon's employees are forced to spend the day learning about Christmas as they wait for their annual holiday celebration called "Ludachristmas" to roll around.
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6. "Modern Family: Undeck the Halls"
"Undeck the Halls" marks the beginning of "Modern Family's" tradition of heartwarming and humorous holiday episodes, blending family dynamics with festive cheer. (Adam Taylor/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
In the long-running series' first-ever holiday episode, the Dunphy clan goes about celebrating Christmas differently than most families.
When Phil and Claire discover a cigarette burn on their couch, they threaten to cancel Christmas until one of their kids confesses to the wrongdoing, while Mitchell and Cam get a mall Santa fired, and Jay feels tense about celebrating the holiday with his wife and stepson with their Columbian traditions.
As is generally the case with "Modern Family," each of the stories comes to a close as the large crew learns that during the holiday season, family and kindness are important above all else.
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7. "The Jeffersons: 984 W. 124th St., Apt 5C"
Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley's performances in "The Jeffersons" brought laughter and warmth to the screen, making their holiday episodes memorable. (CBS via Getty Images)
"The Jeffersons" was a historic television show because it was among the first to showcase a successful Black family, so it stands to reason that its holiday-themed episodes would be noteworthy and heartwarming.
In "984 W. 124th St., Apt 5C," George asks Leroy to deliver a package to an address in Harlem that George's wife, Louise, has never heard of. Leroy forgets to take the package and George insists on taking it himself.
Louise's suspicions are raised by the mysterious package, and her worry intensifies when she finds out George has been sending money to the address as well. When she follows her husband to the Harlem address, she realizes that it was his childhood home and that he is providing the family living there with the help he never received.
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8. "Home Improvement: 'Twas The Flight Before Christmas"
"Home Improvement" stars Tim Allen, left, and Richard Karn in "Twas the Flight Before Christmas." (Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
Christmastime is full of obstacles for Tim Allen's character, a DIY television host named Tim Taylor, who gets stuck at an airport with his co-host, Al, due to snow.
While Tim and Al try to deal with the strange staffers at the airport, Tim's sons are back home trying to decorate for the neighborhood Christmas lights contest.
Things are extra tense for Al, too, as his wife gives him an ultimatum -- her or his mother. Luckily, everyone is able to scrape together a holiday as happy as it can be.
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9. "The Office: Christmas Party"
Rainn Wilson, left, and Steve Carrell in "The Office." The Christmas episodes created comedic brilliance, offering both humor and warmth. (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank)
Meanwhile, on "The Office," the holiday spirit was always alive, but often wrapped in the chaos of an office party. From Dwight's bizarre Belsnickel antics to Jim and Pam's heartwarming gift exchanges, each episode brought a delightful mix of laughter and sentimentality, perfectly capturing the essence of the season.
When it comes time for the Dunder Mifflin staff to celebrate Christmas, the whole crew dives into a gift exchange, in which Michael Scott gives an expensive iPod to an employee and receives an oven mitt from another.
Michael tries to remedy the situation in his favor, only making things worse until he leaves to buy booze, which certainly lightens the mood.
After everyone seems to have made amends and ended up with their appropriate gifts, the staff heads out to continue celebrating at a nearby bar.
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10. "The West Wing: In Excelsis Deo"
The cast of "The West Wing" while filming "In Excelsis Deo," which weaved a memorable Christmas narrative within the political drama's realm. (Eric Liebowitz/NBCU Photo Bank)
Being a drama, Christmas episodes had a bit of a different tone on "The West Wing" -- this one involving death, a hate crime and collusion.
President Bartlet has to balance his positive public image and the devastating news of a hate crime with last-minute Christmas shopping while his employees find a way to keep a potential public relations problem hush-hush.
Meanwhile, Toby reflects on morality when he learns that a war veteran died while wearing a coat he once donated to a thrift store as C.J. tries to fend off a reporter with romantic intentions.
As we revisit these episodes year after year, it's more than just the humor that draws us in. It is the sense of camaraderie, the bonds between coworkers and friends, and the enduring spirit of togetherness that truly embody the magic of the holidays.
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Whether it is Monica's legendary Christmas candies or Michael Scott's attempts at spreading cheer (with varying degrees of success), these episodes transport us to a world where even the most chaotic celebrations hold a special charm.
In the end, it's the laughter, the love, and the occasional cringe-worthy moments that make these Christmas episodes timeless classics. As we gather around our screens, these shows remind us that the holidays are about cherishing the company we keep and finding joy in the simplest, most unexpected moments.
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