Top 6 Christmas Episodes & Specials on Television

Christmas episodes and specials can be notorious for upping the stakes, and sitcoms and television shows have been doing that for decades, making a name for themselvesstarting with Christmas These episodes are above and beyond the typical, serving up stories that move along and leave an impression that lingers in its warm afterglow long into the year. So, writes top-notch content, a top-notch screenplay, brilliant performances, and a little vivid twist to take these amazing episodes in the holiday-themed and these shows get a huge applause from many people.

And that’s why these episodes are revered traditions, looked forward to by aficionados and revisited every holiday season. These extraordinary episodes are bursting with magic and charm, and upon each viewing, they remind us of the reason we hold these shows dear, due to their everlasting legacy. With that in mind, here are 5 great Christmas specials and episodes to enjoy this festive season.

6. Friends – “The One With the Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)

“The One With the Holiday Armadillo” is undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of Friends history and definitely made for a classic episode. Set against a festive Christmas backdrop and tinged with more warmth than usual, this Friends installment features Ross making a noble attempt to educate Ben about the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah. But of course, Chandler then walks in wearing a Santa outfit, and it sets the two up for a fight. The clash of cultures brings about uproarious but sweet chaos, with many laugh-out-loud and insightful moments. Not only is the episode an astute commentary on the intersectionality of different holiday traditions in various cultures, it is brimming with comic genius.

5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “A Very Sunny Christmas” (Season 6, Episode 13)

The episode “A Very Sunny Christmas” ramped up the outrageous, offensive, and unapologetic nature of the comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The new holiday special allows the gang to break off into their own hijinks where everyone gets a moment to shine hilariously crazy Charlie, however, is on another level of ridiculousness in terms of storyline. Charlie decides to track down the Santa Claus who fucked his mom when he was a kid—and sets off on a strange, surreal adventure. Which takes him on a wild roller coaster of ridiculous experiences and wild goose chases, demonstrating the lengths to which the gang will go to super silly up even the jolliest of jolly holiday scenarios.

4. The Office – “Christmas Party” (Season 2, Episode 10)

One of the most iconic holiday episodes in The Office has to be the Christmas party episode from Season 2, titled “Christmas Party.” The office of Dunder Mifflin has a Christmas party unlike any other. At the core of the episode is the contentious Yankee Swap, which Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) absolutely ruins by gifting an iPod, resulting in comical and cringeworthy moments.

But the real showstopper is the very real chemistry between Jim and Pam. With miniatures of stolen looks and half-muttered words, viewers are led on as their unconfessed affections for one another bubble below the surface, gasping for the moment their love is brought to fruition. Christmas Party is a worthy entry into the highest-rated episodes, as its combination of text-book clever wit, an undeniable charm, and a vision of heartwarming moments makes this one of the most enjoyable holiday binge-watch additions around.

3. Doctor Who – “A Christmas Carol” (2010)

Considered by Whovians to be one of the best Christmas episodes in Doctor Who history, A Christmas Carol is a true holiday-spirited adventure. The 2010 special was the sixth Christmas special since the show returned in 2005. Also notable for being the first Christmas special with Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor.

In classic Doctor Who fashion, the plot of the episode borrows from Charles Dickens‘ classic in a time-traveling & redemption theme. On the planet of Sardicktown, the Doctor has to convince the miserly Kazran Sardick, played to perfection by legendary actor Michael Gambon, to save a crashing spaceship and its occupants. The Doctor travels to Kazran’s past, present, and future, and his empathy is put in direct contrast with Kazran’s hard heart. Amid its quirky but warmth-bringing tale, coupled with that of Matt Smith and the majestic performance of Michael Gambon, A Christmas Carol is an ever-cherished seasonal effort that audiences look back warmly on well into a decade-plus post its initial airing.

2. Seinfeld – “The Strike” (Season 9, Episode 10)

Seinfeld — “The Strike” You may recall the introduction of Festivus in Season 9 of Seinfeld when Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) enlightens us about this all-too-amazing holiday. Seinfelds Jerry, George, kramer and Elaine befuddled at the holiday Frank created. What they soon learn is that Festivus is anything but traditional, consisting of an unadorned aluminum pole instead of a Christmas tree, “feats of strength,” and an airing of grievance. But the best moment is when Frank goes into the true meaning of Festivus and then shares his funniest moment. In his signature style, Frank tells the group about a stranger than fiction experience at a department store when he was looking for a doll for George. That led to Festivus eventually becoming a part of pop culture, celebrated by overzealous Seinfeld fans as an unofficial holiday because of the episode.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – ‘Amends’

On season three’s ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Angel had a rough one during the holidays as the ghosts of Christmas past in the form of everyone he killed as a soulless vampire came back to haunt him. They tell him that if he kills Buffy the pain will go away, but he can’t, so he gets on a hill and wait for the sun to rise to kill himself. However, miracle of miracles, Buffy arrives in the nick of time and instead of sunrise we get snow and it is all just very magical.