While I was scrolling through Disney+, a section titled Happy Holidays appeared. The highlight brings old Disney Channel Christmas episodes back to the forefront. Using this list, I revisited some of the episodes, and systematically rated and ranked them. My ratings are based on nostalgia factor, overall Christmas feel, and extra points were given or deducted for varying random factors.
5. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: “Christmas at the Tipton”: 13/20
This Suite Life episode revolved around the chaos of the Christmas season, along with a large snowstorm. Other plots include Zack and Cody wanting their parents to get back together, and Maddie and London doing secret Santa.
For nostalgia, this episode scored a 4/10. I didn’t start watching Zack and Cody until I got to high school, and even then, I didn’t watch it in its entirety, either. It was more of a show I threw on for background noise or to fall asleep to. Therefore, it’s not a show that makes me think of my childhood. I felt I had to include this episode, though, because it does scream Christmas.
I gave it a 9/10 for Christmas feeling. The entirety of the episode revolved around d Christmas themes, with a holiday soundtrack playing in the background as well. The only thing that docked it a point was the fact that they ripped off Mary and Joseph having their baby at a full “inn.” Although Christmas is an inherently religious holiday, centered around the birth of Jesus Christ, Disney isn’t a company centered around religion. As someone who isn’t religious, I wish they didn’t include this plot. I feel that Christmas has shifted away from being a purely religious holiday to be a more secular holiday centered around being with family. When Christmas rolls around, my TikTok feed is filled with videos, urging the watcher to visit New York City (NYC). My favorite Christmas movie is Elf, which is set in NYC, along with a great Christmas classic Home Alone 2. These two movies have made my brain associate Christmas with NYC. Therefore, when this episode was based there, it heightened the Christmas feel for me.
4. Kickin’ It: “Oh, Christmas Nuts”: 18/20
Kickin’ It’s Christmas episode featured a window decorating contest between Kim and Eddie, along with Jack, Milton, Jerry, and Rudy uncovering the truth behind Santa’s Workshop donations.
For nostalgia, this Christmas episode got a 10/10. I’ve watched this specific episode too many times to count, as Kickin’ It was my sister and I’s favorite show growing up. This episode also took place in what I find to be the best season of the show. It featured all the characters that play prominent roles throughout the series, but weren’t in every episode. Seeing Bobby Wasabi, Falafel Phil, and Joan all on my screen really added to the nostalgia. I had forgotten about the bloopers at the end of every episode, and seeing those again really solidified the 10/10 nostalgic feeling.
For Christmas feel I rated this episode a 7/10. While the whole episode revolved around the holiday, it lacked that overwhelming Christmas feeling that I got from some of the other episodes. I believe this came from it being set in a mall. I understand that Kickin’ It revolves around a mall dojo, but the lack of a home really dampened the holiday feeling. I associate home with family, and for me family is what makes the Christmas season. It’s a time in which I see my entire extended family, that I otherwise don’t often see. The lack of home meant a lack of family, which made the show reflect a Christmas experience foreign to me.
However, this episode earns one point back for its iconic fight scene. I always loved watching the crazy fight scenes in Kickin’ It, but for some reason this fight scene really stuck out to me.
3. Good Luck Charlie: “A Duncan Christmas”: 18/20
“A Duncan Christmas” featured Teddy and Spencer taking Charlie to see Santa, the battle of Amy and Bob’s mom in the annual talent show, and Bob trying to find out what Amy got him for Christmas
Usually, Good Luck Charlie would evoke a lot of nostalgia because it was one of the main shows I watched growing up. However, this episode got a 9/10 only because it’s in one of the later seasons. Something about Toby’s presence dampened the nostalgic feeling because he’s only alive for the last season, which I watched when I was older. I just don’t associate Toby with my childhood the way I do the other characters.
I rated the Christmas feeling of this episode a 10/10. I loved the aspect of a chaotic family in this episode that other shows don’t tend to highlight. The in-law feuding and the annoyance one gets from being disappointed at a theme park on a holiday explored the less perfect of the holidays. I just felt like it shines light on the chaotic nature of Christmas, which was very refreshing.
However, I subtracted a point because of the presence of Spencer. If you know, you know. But, if you don’t, Spencer cheated on Teddy in season one, and ever since then, I’ve hated him.
2. Liv and Maddie: “Fa La La La-a-Rooney” 20/20
The plot of this episode was a combination of Liv singing with a little girl, Jenny Kenne (Emmersyn Fiorentino), Maddie and her dad decorating the town’s tree, and Joey and Parker ripping people off with their own version of Santa’s workshop.
This is another show my sister and I watched over and over again. Because of that, I rated this episode a 10/10 on nostalgia. It also took place in season one, which is even more nostalgic because of how young all the characters looked, especially Parker.
For Christmas feeling, I rated it a 10/10. Like the Good Luck Charlie episode, this episode illustrates the family craziness that many have experienced during the holidays. It also had all the Christmas factors, including songs, Santa, Christmas tree lighting, and gift giving. Overall, this episode radiated the craziness and spirit that Christmas itself exudes.
1. Austin & Ally: “All Star New Year Pt. 1” 22/20
The number one spot had to be the most iconic cross-over Disney Channel ever created. This episode of Austin & Ally featured Jessie and Emma from the TV show Jessie. It revolved around Austin performing at Times Square.
This is another show and episode that gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. I remember when the episode first came out, and my sister and I were so excited to see this cross-over. As I sat in my lofted-bed in my dorm and rewatched this, I was reminded of watching it on my family’s Teddy Bear Lane couch with my sister. I was filled with the same excitement and holiday-bliss watching Austin perform in Times Square at 19 as I was at 6. For this, it got a 10/10 on nostalgia.
Even though the episode didn’t focus on Christmas, I still gave it a 10/10 for holiday spirit. It got full points because it also takes place in New York, which is the city of New Years Eve. NYC is where the balldrops, which is a focal point of New Years Eve in America. I also consider NYCto be the city of dreams, and Austin fulfilled his dream of performing there on New Year’s Eve. Although New Year’s Eve isn’t technically related to Christmas—being two different holidays and all—I associate these two holidays together. I personally feel like the holiday season isn’t over until that ball drops. That’s the reason I added it to this list. But, it earned the number spot on a Christmas episode list as an episode about New Years Eve due to its iconicity. Jessie and Austin & Ally were at their peaks and putting them together was truly amazing. To this day, my friends and I still talk about this episode, and, not going to lie, I usually watch it every year. So even though it isn’t Christmas specifically, it embodied a city known for the winter holidays, and the holiday season.
This episode earned extra points for one, the amazing music Ross Lynch performed, and two, the presence of Ross Lynch.
Disney Channel knew exactly how to make a good Christmas episode. If you are looking to indulge in some holiday nostalgia, I suggest watching some this Christmas season.