I love the Christmas episodes of my favorite sitcoms! It has always been a tradition of mine to watch Christmas movies but I also enjoy going back to watch the Christmas episodes of old television series.
I thought it would be fun to do a round-up here to share with y'all! In no particular order, I've listed my favorite Christmas episodes below and I hope they bring back some memories for you as well! Let me know in the comments which are your favorites, and any of your favorites that aren't listed!
1. Frasier - Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz (Season 6)
I am a big Frasier fan...it cracks me up! In this episode Frasier is shopping for a menorah for his son and meets a Jewish woman, Helen Moskowitz, who asks him to take her daughter on a blind date. The relationship advances and Helen decides to visit Frasier's apartment on Christmas Eve, unaware he wasn't actually Jewish. The series of events throughout the visit while Frasier hid decorations (including a tree in the powder room) are hysterical. Niles also dresses up as Jesus and has an allergic reaction to the manger hay.
2. Frasier - High Holidays (Season 11)
Frasier Christmas episodes are sooo good that I had to include two on this list. This is probably my favorite Frasier episode out of all eleven seasons. Thanks to Martin, the decorations in Frasier's living room were abundant and awesome. Frasier's son Freddie is going through a Goth phase and Martin makes a comment about Niles never rebelling as a child, so Niles decides to get high on a weed brownie. Martin ends up eating the brownie and replacing it with a regular brownie, unbeknownst to Niles. Niles starts to believe he is feeling the effects and relies on research to act like he thinks he should feel while Martin is actually high, and they proceed to share deep thoughts and munchies. It is absolutely hilarious!
3. Gilmore Girls - Women of Questionable Morals (Season 5)
Emily and Richard who have previously been separated, are reunited by a stray dog, which was freaking adorable. Lorelai goes through a string of bad luck with the snow and decides she hates it until Luke builds her an ice rink in her front yard. That gesture was one of my favorite moments ever between Luke and Lorelai despite the fact Lorelai was hiding interactions with Christopher from Luke (typical Lorelai).
4. Home Improvement- Twas the Blight Before Christmas (Season 3)
Home Improvement was one of my all time favorite shows growing up. I used to watch it with my Daddy and always loved when Tim turned into an overly competitive Christmas decorator to outdo his neighbor every year. My favorite part about this particular episode is the Christmas program Mark partakes in. The kids line up backwards to spell out "Leon" instead of "Noel" and I thought that was the most comical thing ever when I was little. As an adult, every time I see "Noel" I immediately think of Leon.
5. Friends - The One with the Holiday Armadillo (Season 7)
Ah, yes. The classic Holiday Armadillo. Ross gets his son Ben for the holidays and intends to teach him about their Jewish heritage. Ben is not at all enthused by Hanukkah as he had only been exposed to Christmas traditions. When Ben gets sad about a year without Santa, Ross sets out to find a Santa costume. He couldn't find one so late in the season and instead comes home as "Santa's friend", the Holiday Armadillo. In true Ross fashion, it was weird, awkward, and hilarious.
6. OC- The Best Chrismukkah Ever (Season 1)
Seth Cohen was a legend for introducing high schoolers everywhere to Chrismukkah. Although this episode had several rough moments including Marissa shoplifting and driving drunk, Julie vs. Jimmy arguments, and Caleb trying to be sneaky, it wouldn't be the OC if the episode wasn't a full emotional roller coaster with a dash of troubled Marissa. This was also the episode Summer dresses up as Wonder Woman which is one of my favorite outfits of the entire series.
7. The Office- Christmas Party (Season 2)
Not much has to be said about The Office but add a "Yankee Swap", elf ears, and vodka and you've got yourself the most entertaining office holiday party to ever exist.
8. The Andy Griffith Show- The Christmas Story (Season 1)
We watched The Andy Griffith Show every night at my Papa and Granny's house. This was the only Christmas episode of the entire show which is surprising, but it did not disappoint. On Christmas Eve, Ben Weaver insists Andy lock up Sam Muggins, a local moonshiner. Andy complies but he, Barney, Aunt Bee, Opie, and Ellie prepare a feast and bring Christmas to the jailhouse. Ben Weaver is touched by the Christmas spirit and tries to purposely get arrested himself so he wouldn't be alone on Christmas. Sheriff Taylor finds a reason to arrest Weaver, who ends up falling asleep in the cell after finishing a jug of Sam's moonshine. Mayberry has the small-town charm and holiday spirit that reminds me of home during the holidays.
9. The Simpsons - Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (Season 1)
This was the first full-length episode of The Simpsons and while I used to think my older brother was a total weirdo for liking this show, now that I'm older myself I pick up on the humor and really enjoy it. Homer plays Santa and the family dog, Santa's Little Helper, is brought home. The episode was nominated for two Emmys and was the beginning of one very successful show.
10. Fresh Prince of Bel Air- Twas The Night Before Christening (Season 4)
Will promises to invite Boyz II Men to perform at Nicky's Christening. Desperate to keep his promise, Will sneaks into the radio studio in Carlton's Santa suit to convince the group to perform. His cover is blown and it turns out he had once stolen the girlfriend of Nathan, one of the group members. Boyz II Men ends up coming and sings Silent Night and Phillip reveals that Nicky is actually named after all the members. It doesn't get much better than Will Smith and Boyz II Men in the same episode!
11. The Wonder Years- Christmas (Season 2)
The Wonder Years is another classic. Kevin and Wayne try to convince Jack to buy a color television. Winnie unexpectedly gives Kevin a gift, who in turn tries to find a present for her. The Wonder Years is one of those shows that provides a good kick of nostalgia even if it was set before your time and I always enjoy hearing whatever lesson Kevin learned, especially the true meaning of Christmas.
12. The Rugrats- Babies in Toyland (Season 9)
The babies and their families took a trip to a winter wonderland designed by Stu and the kids are left with Grandpa Lou while the adults walk around. Of course Grandpa Lou falls asleep and the parents get trapped in a makeshift cabin due to a malfunctioning snow machine. After Angelica confronts the actor playing Santa and acts so terrible that the Santa ends up quitting, the babies take off to the North Pole to give Dil a good first Christmas. Angelica learns a lesson and ends up bringing back with presents for everyone. The best things always happened when Grandpa Lou fell asleep!
13. The Golden Girls - 'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas (Season 2)
If you don't laugh at the Golden Girls then I'm not sure we can even be friends. This episode opens with Blanche being playfully chased through the house by a local mall Santa. The girls decide to make gifts from the heart rather than spend money on material things. Rose gives Dorothy a maple syrup spigot and Blanche gives the girls a calendar with pictures of men that have "brought her joy" that year. The girls all plan to visit their families on Christmas Day but get held hostage by a man dressed as Santa at a Grief Counseling Center. They get out thanks to Sophia but their flights get canceled and they end up celebrating Christmas in a diner.
14. Modern Family- Undeck the Halls (Season 1)
A Dunphy Christmas is a bound to be an eventful Christmas! Cam and Mitchell get a mall Santa fired and feel bad so they invite him over for Christmas. Phil and Claire find a burn mark on the couch and cancel Christmas until one of the kids confesses...Luke ends up confessing simply to get back Christmas and soon after they realize the burn was from the sun reflecting off an ornament Phil's dad sent. Speaking of Phil's dad, there is an epic Skype with him doing typical old person things with technology.
15. Hey Arnold - Arnold's Christmas (Season 1)
If you grew up as a Nickelodeon kid in the 90s, you are very familiar with Arnold and the crew. Helga thinks Christmas is all about cash and presents until she has to choose between a gift for herself or Arnold. Arnold searches to find a gift for his secret Santa, Mr. Hyunh, but it's a gift that can't be bought. Mr. Hyunh just wants to be reunited with the daughter he was separated from due to the Vietnam War many years ago. Come to find out, Helga saves the day and is the real Christmas angel.
