Everybody has a special activity that awakens their Christmas spirit. For some, it’s decorating the house with colorful lights or cooking a festive meal. For us, the best part of the holiday season is watching all the greatest Christmas TV episodes. There have been some truly legendary Christmas specials throughout the years, so we put together a list of our favorites (plus where to watch ’em)! Whether you love comedy, drama, or horror, this list has something for everyone. So grab some Christmas cookies, a glass of milk, and a comfy seat. You don’t want to miss any of these classics!
The Office – “Christmas Party” – Season 2, Episode 10 (2005) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Peacock and Prime Video.
“Seeing the party is headed for disastrous boredom, Michael breaks corporate policy to buy alcohol for the staff.” – IMBD
30 Rock – “Ludachristmas” – Season 2, Episode 9 (2007) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Hulu, Peacock Premium, and Prime Video.
“Jack gets attached to Liz’s nurturing parents because they provide the love and support he never got from his mom. The staffers get ready for their raunchy holiday party, but Kenneth changes their plans at the last minute.” – IMBD
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – “Deck the Halls” – Season 1, Episode 15 (1990) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.
“Will realizes that Ashley has never experienced a real Christmas before and goes out of his way to let her have one. He decorates the inside of the mansion and also the outside fully, upsetting some of the neighbors.” – IMBD
Seinfeld – “The Strike” – Season 9, Episode 10 (1997) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Netflix and Prime Video.
“Jerry goes out with a woman who is beautiful one day and ugly the next. Kramer goes back to work at H&H Bagels. George makes up a charity. Elaine gives a fake number to a man.” – IMBD
Black Mirror – “White Christmas” – Season 2, Episode 4 (2014) (Rated TV-MA)
Available on Netflix.
“Three interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.” – IMBD
Friends – “The One with the Holiday Armadillo” – Season 7, Episode 10 (2000) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Max and Prime Video.
“Ross wants to introduce Ben to Hanukkah. In order to entice Rachel to move back into their refurbished apartment, Phoebe must drive a wedge between Rachel and her current roomie Joey.” – IMBD
The X-Files – “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas” – Season 6, Episode 6 (1998) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Hulu and Prime Video.
“On Christmas Eve, Mulder and Scully find themselves trapped in a haunted house with two ghosts who are determined to prove just how lonely the holiday season can be.” – IMBD
The Sopranos – “To Save Us All from Satan’s Power” – Season 3, Episode 10 (2001) (Rated TV-MA)
Available on HBO Max and Prime Video.
“Tony starts having flashbacks about Pussy’s betrayal, and then later discovers that Jackie Jr. has been failing in his responsibilities.” – IMBD
American Horror Stories – “The Naughty List” – Season 1, Episode 4 (2021) (Rated TV-MA)
Available on Hulu.
“A group of influencers face a reckoning after posting a problematic video online.” – IMBD
Family Guy – “Road to the North Pole” – Season 9, Episode 7 (2010) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Hulu and Prime Video.
“Disappointed with the Mall Santa, Stewie and Brian decide to go up to the North Pole to teach Santa a lesson, only to face a shocking revelation.” – IMBD
The Simpsons – “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” Season 1, Episode 1 (1989) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Prime Video.
“Homer is forced to become a department store Santa when Marge spends the family’s Christmas savings on removing Bart’s tattoo.” – IMBD
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “A Very Sunny Christmas” – Season 6, Episode 13 (2010) (Unrated)
Available on Hulu.
“Dennis and Dee decide to teach Frank a lesson, and Mac and Charlie learn some shocking things about their childhood Christmas traditions.” – IMBD
Bob’s Burgers – “Christmas in the Car” – Season 4. Episode 8 (2013) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Hulu and Prime Video.
“After spending Christmas Eve outrunning a candy cane truck with their last-minute tree, the Belchers find that Bob’s friend gets caught in the kids’ Santa trap.” – IMBD
Parks and Recreation – “Citizen Knope” – Season 4, Episode 10 (2011) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Peacock Premium and Prime Video.
“Leslie tries to keep herself busy during her suspension from the department, but gets some bad news about her campaign. Meanwhile, Ben searches for a job in the private sector, and the office makes the perfect Christmas gift for Leslie.” – IMBD
Arrested Development – “Afternoon Delight” – Season 2, Episode 6 (2004) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Netflix and Prime Video.
“While Buster looks for ways to get out of serving in Iraq, Lindsay’s quest to score a date at the Bluth Company Christmas party backfires after Gob’s sexual harassment speech.” – IMBD
Rick and Morty – “Anatomy Park” – Season 1, Episode 3 (2013) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.
“Rick shrinks Morty, injecting him into a homeless man to save Anatomy Park. Jerry tries to have a Christmas free of electronic devices, but regrets his decision when his parents introduce him to their new friend.” – IMBD
Cheers – “Christmas Cheers” – Season 6, Episode 12 (1987) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Paramount+ and Prime Video.
“It’s Christmas Eve, and it seems everyone has their own agenda…” – IMBD
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “Yippie Kayak” – Season 3, Episode 10 (2015) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Netflix, Peacock and Prime Video.
“Jake, Charles, and Gina get into trouble while doing last-minute Christmas shopping, Terry tries to make it through the holidays without a call from the precinct, and Amy takes part in a “Polar Swim” with Holt and Diaz.” – IMBD
The League – “A Krampus Carol” – Season 4, Episode 12 (2012) (Rated TV-MA)
Available on Hulu and Prime Video.
“Andre and Trixie’s relationship is put to the test. Jenny and Pete make special offerings to Shiva. Rupert Ruxin has a gift for his son while Taco challenges the Mall Santa.” – IMBD
The Golden Girls – “Have Yourself a Very Little Christmas” – Season 5, Episode 12 (1989) (Rated TV-PG)
Available on Hulu and Prime Video.
“The girls volunteer at a homeless shelter on Christmas day and learn that Stan has been thrown out on the streets by his current wife.” – IMBD
South Park – “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo” – Season 1, Episode 9 (1997) (Rated TV-14)
Available on Max and Prime Video.
“The town is forced to remove anything that either has anything to do with Christmas or is offensive in the least bit to anyone.” – IMBD
Curb Your Enthusiasm – “Mary, Joseph and Larry” – Season 3, Episode 9 (2002) (Rated TV-14)
Available on HBO Max and Prime Video.
“On Dec. 23, Larry eats some cookies in the kitchen. Turns out those cookies were a nativity scene that Cheryl’s religious sister made. Since it’s Christmas Eve, too late to get a replacement. Larry finds a live Nativity at a local church.” – IMBD
A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Short 1965) (Rated TV-G)
Available on Apple TV+.
“Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.” – IMBD
Tales from the Crypt – “And All Through the House” – Season 1, Episode 2 (1989) (Not Rated)
Available on YouTube.
“A greedy woman makes the mistake of murdering her husband while an escaped mental patient dressed in a Santa Claus outfit is on the loose.” – IMBD
SpongeBob SquarePants – “Christmas Who?” – Season 2, Episode 8 (2000) (Rated TV-Y7)
Available on Paramount+ and Prime Video.
“Nobody in Bikini Bottom has ever heard of Christmas or Santa Claus until Sandy lets them in on this surface tradition…” – IMBD
We hope you enjoyed this list of Christmas classics. Did we miss any of your favorites? Send us an email at spencersblog@spencergifts.com and let us know. Don’t forget to check out our site for all of your holiday needs and to have the merriest Christmas! *All synopses provided by IMBD.
