Get Into The Holiday Spirit With These 10 Christmas Episodes From Our Favorite TV Shows
If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, we’ve got you! Whether you're in the mood for a Secret Santa gone hilariously wrong in The Office or an episode that will leave your eyes watering (in the best way) on Ted Lasso, these TV episodes are the gifts that keep on giving.
Glee | "A Very Glee Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 10)
Glee offers musical magic to each of its episodes, which makes their Christmas special that much better. McKinley High gets into the holiday spirit by belting out some classic tunes such as “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
Parks and Recreation | “Citizen Knope” (Season 4, Episode 10)
If there’s any one thing you can take away from Parks and Recreation, it’s that Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is caring… almost too caring. Who am I kidding? It would be amazing to have a friend like Leslie Knope, but it leaves everyone in the office stumped with what to get her for Christmas. After a day of brainstorming, the group outdoes themselves this Christmas and even Leslie is left speechless.
Watch on Peacock.
Abbott Elementary | “Holiday Hookah” (Season 2, Episode 10)
It’s Christmas time at Abbott Elementary School and that means holiday vacation for these hard working teachers, but Jacob (Chris Perfetti) is feeling down. He winds up being a Grinch and crashes Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Melissa's (Lisa Ann Walter) traditional holiday dinner. But what better way to learn the true meaning of Christmas from none other than Barbara Howard?
Watch on Max or Hulu.
Arrested Development | “Afternoon Delight” (Season 2, Episode 6)
The Bluth Company Christmas party goes awry (to say the very least). It could be due to Michael (Jason Bateman) and Maeby (Alia Shawkat) or should I say, an uncle and niece singing “Afternoon Delight” together. ‘Tis the season, Arrested Development-style!
Watch on Netflix.
Ted Lasso | "Carol of the Bells" (Season 2, Episode 4)
It’s Christmas in the quaint town of Richmond, but Ted (Jason Sudeikis) isn’t in the Christmas spirit after a short lived call back home with his son and soon-to-be ex-wife. Ted plans to spend Christmas alone, but Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) invites him along to deliver gifts to underprivileged children. As we follow Ted and Rebecca on their Christmas journey, Rebecca knows Ted is struggling with his divorce. She invited him out to lift his spirits — and succeeds. This episode will forever warm hearts and remind everyone the true meaning of the holiday, in classic Ted Lasso fashion.
Watch on Apple TV.
30 Rock | "Christmas Special" (Season 3, Episode 6)
Much like our dear friend Ted Lasso, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) finds herself alone on the holidays and is glum about being away from family in 30 Rock’s Christmas episode. Meanwhile, Jack (Alec Baldwin) plans a vacation away from his mother (Elaine Stritch). But, it wouldn’t be 30 Rock without a slight, perfectly timed, hiccup in everyone’s plans…
Watch on Peacock.
Black-ish | “Stuff” (Season 2, Episode 10)
When the holidays roll around this year for the Johnson’s, Dre (Anthony Anderson) is concerned that Christmas has become too commercialized and is all about stuff. In this realization, Pops (Laurence Fishburne) and Ruby (Jenifer Lewis) help Dre come up with a new plan to pare down gifts and spend more time together. As you can imagine, the kids aren’t having it, but they devise a plan they think might just work.
Watch on Hulu or Disney+.
The Bear | “Fishes” (Season 2, Episode 6)
Season 2 of The Bear continued the journey of tortured Chicago-based chef Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) as he tries to open a restaurant. Then along comes the episode “Fishes” where we get to see exactly why Carmen is the tortured chef we’ve all come to love. The Berzatto family opens the doors of their home as they prepare Christmas dinner — and nobody does chaotic better than the Berzatto’s. Let’s just say, the food wasn’t the only thing getting heated that night.
Watch on Hulu.
Community | "Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas" (Season 2, Episode 11)
As a nod to all of the old, classic Christmas specials we grew up with, Community went all out for this Christmas episode. It’s in full stop-motion for the entirety of it. The hilarious community college study group goes on an adventure, but it’s far from their usual. Abed (Danny Pudi) searches for the true meaning of Christmas and the group is transported to a holiday-themed planet. This episode is truly heartwarming while also being its normal comedic Community satire.
Watch on Netflix or Hulu.
The Office | "Christmas Party" (Season 2, Episode 10)
The Office is known for its memorable holiday episodes and has some of the best Christmas episodes a sitcom can offer. But, the best by far was “Christmas Party” in season 2. With an inappropriate iPod gift and some classic Jim and Pam (John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer) romantic tension, nothing tops season 2’s Secret Santa/White Elephant/Nasty Christmas gone wrong.
Watch on Peacock or Hulu.
