Ahh, Christmas. Who doesn’t like this magical and surprise-filled time of the year? Toys, Christmas trees, and the first two Die Hard movies (yes, those are Christmas movies!) Yet, sometimes those can become…a little stale. To the rescue come some of the best Christmas episodes and Christmas specials. Television is often the rescue net for Christmas Eves that get a little boring. With a simple push of a few buttons on the remote, you get the chance to see the best Christmas TV episodes from your most loved shows. But, with so many Christmas shows and episodes to choose from — which shows have the greatest Christmas episodes?
While what makes up a good Christmas episode is up for debate, we’d normally expect it to have a little romance, a sense of nostalgia, a festive soundtrack, and lots of laughs. The perfect combination of these elements can be found in the good ol’ situation comedies. Shows like Friends and Seinfeld feature some of the best sitcom Christmas episodes to enjoy with the family. Indulging in those will undoubtedly create some laughs around the table as we put ourselves in the characters’ shoes and the comical situations they get into. With no harm coming to us, we can laugh and enjoy the moment for what it is — a Festivus celebration (Seinfeld fans will get this)!
With the festive season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to create a list of Christmas episodes you might want to revisit. Here at Bored Panda, we have gathered some of the best Christmas specials, gathered from both your favorite TV shows and animated series. If an episode reminded you of the good old times, upvote it. If you remember an episode from the show that you watch every Christmas, comment it down below and share your thoughts!
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#41 Parks And Recreation, "Citizen Knope" (Season 4, Episode 9)
When Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), who works for Pawnee Parks and Recreation, is on leave, she discovers that she wants to get engaged in local politics. Thankfully, her friends support and encourage her as she gets ready to give what will undoubtedly be the nicest gift she has ever given. She is recognized for being a very generous gift giver, so that says a lot.
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6points
#42 30 Rock, "Ludachristmas" (Season 2, Episode 9)
We can all support LudaChristmas, I think. (Tina Fey's) Liz Lemon and her coworkers use the made-for-TV holiday as an excuse to hide from their families, though it does have some features of Christmas (tacky sweaters, for example). Tracy Jordan is the genius behind it all, so it goes without saying that chaos and humor follow.
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#43 Grey's Anatomy, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" (Season 2, Episode 12)
Yes, your favorite medical drama also knows how to celebrate Christmas. For a program that isn't truly about the holidays but is nonetheless holiday-adjacent, go all the way back to season 2.
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#44 The Mary Tyler Moore Show, "Christmas And The Hard-Luck Kid II" (Season 1, Episode 14)
In order to make the most of her holiday, Mary must find a way to fit both Christmas and Christmas Eve into her schedule.
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#45 The Twilight Zone, "Night Of The Meek" (Season 2, Episode 11)
In this vintage Twilight Zone episode, a mall Santa who's having trouble finding luck receives a Christmas miracle. "Night of the Meek" is a lovely outlier in Rod Serling's traditional cautionary tales since it is pleasant and gives a sense of optimism when many of the show's themes drift toward darker, sad parts.
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#46 South Park, "Merry Christmas Charlie Manson!" (Season 2, Episode 16)
Dark? Yes. Crass? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely. Family friendly? Absolutely not.
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#47 My So-Called Life, "So Called Angels" (Season 1, Episode 15)
A lesson about teen homelessness is learned (and taught to us) by Angela (Claire Danes) and Rickie (Wilson Cruz) in this gloomy episode of My So-Called Life, which also features singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield.
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#48 The West Wing, "Noël" (Season 2, Episode 10)
In "Noël," The West Wing portrays PTSD in a powerful and subtle manner. We get to see just how much preparation a US president has to take care of and how the world still continues to function, even during the moment of celebrations.
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#49 Parks And Recreation, "Christmas Scandal" (Season 2, Episode 12)
The Parks and Recreation Christmas episode is so fantastic that you can forgive the plot's obvious similarities to a classic Golden Girls episode and just enjoy the ride.
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6points
#50 The Real Ghostbusters, "Xmas Marks The Spot" (Season 1, Episode 13)
In this beloved animated episode, the Ghostbusters help Ebenezer Scrooge's haunting to save Christmas.
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#51 The Bob Newhart Show, "His Busiest Season" (Season 1, Episode 14)
In 1972, do you remember anyone discussing seasonal depression on television? No one. Bob Newhart's on-screen role as a psychotherapist makes this a perfect fit. It's just one of the many aspects that make The Bob Newhart Show so revolutionary.
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6points
#52 Crazy Ex Girlfriend, "My Mom, Greg's Mom And Josh's Sweet Dance Moves!" (Season 1, Episode 8)
One thing that Christmas and an angry ex-partner may have in common is both can get a little too crazy. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 1 Episode 8 is pretty much what happens when both decide to go wild on the same day. Crazy squared.
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5points
#53 Lizzie McGuire, "Xtreme Xmas" (Season 2, Episode 20)
The most Xtreme holiday on Lizzie McGuire had to be the Steven Tyler-assisted Xtravaganza from season 2, even though we adore the Aaron Carter Christmas episode from season 1.
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#54 Boy Meets World, "A Very Topanga Christmas" (Season 5, Episode 11)
What character from Boy Meets World's Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) could possibly make a greater Ghost of Christmas Anything?
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#55 Glee, "A Very Glee Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 10)
In recent years, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has been appraised as a particularly annoying holiday song. Forget about that for a second and listen to Kurt and Blaine on Glee, played by Chris Colfer and Darren Criss. You're welcome.
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#56 The West Wing, "In Excelsis Deo" (Season 1, Episode 10)
In addition to showing what the holiday season may be like in the White House, this Christmas-themed TV episode also focused on more serious issues that fit with the season. In spite of all the storylines, one thing is constant: the holidays are meant to be joyful, even if it's just for yourself.
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#57 Happy Days, "Guess Who's Coming To Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 11)
All viewers are familiar with Fonzie (Henry Winkler) as a tough, leather-jacket-adoring ladies' man. However, this episode reveals another side of him when he celebrates the holidays alone. He is fortunate to have Richie (Ron Howard) as a friend because as soon as he learns of Fonzie's plans, he is invited to the Cunningham family's Christmas celebration. This episode is all about family ties, even when they don't come from your own blood.
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#58 Hart Of Dixie, "Blue Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 10)
What happens when a young doctor accidentally gives the town's only Santa the day off, the mayor wants to drop the question to his fiancée, and the go-to attorney is searching for the ideal Christmas gift? This Hart of Dixie episode from season 2 will have you smiling and thinking back on the simpler times of the holiday season.
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#59 All In The Family, "Christmas Day At The Bunkers" (Season 2, Episode 13)
After Archie (Carroll O'Connor) finds out he won't be receiving his yearly Christmas bonus, the Bunker family is missing the cheerful, merry spirit. The rest of the family tries to soften the pain by inviting the Jeffersons over for some holiday fun while he slips into full-on Scrooge mode. Maybe, just maybe, there is a lesson in there for all of us.
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#60 The Brady Bunch, "The Voice Of Christmas" (Season 1, Episode 12)
Nothing says "classic Christmas" like The Brady Bunch's very first holiday episode, in which Carol contracts laryngitis and worries she won't be able to sing during the family's Christmas church service.
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