While I do enjoy watching Christmas and holiday movies during the season filled with joy and misery, depending on whether you enjoy New England snow, I also love to watch the Christmas and holiday specials of my favorite TV shows. I have compiled a list of great Christmas episodes that will put you in the spirit whether you are happy about the snow or not. While some shows embrace the holiday season with open arms, others take a darker turn and highlight the burdens of the season.
Gilmore Girls, “The Bracebridge Dinner”
This is one of the more high-spirited and joyful Christmas specials and features the beginning of the Jess, Dean, and Rory love triangle.
The Office, “Christmas Party”
The annual Yankee Swap. Do I need to say anything more?
New Girl, “LAXmas”
This might be biased because New Girl is one of my favorite shows of all time, and this episode is no exception. While I do constantly watch the classic Thanksgiving episodes, my favorite being Schmidt’s “Bangs-giving” dinner party episode, their Christmas episodes are just as funny.
Grey’s Anatomy, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”
While this episode is only holiday-adjacent, it is still fun to see some of our favorite characters young and some-what happy again. This episode is a lot more joyful, considering that the current season is tackling the pandemic and our favorite characters are no longer just wearing masks in the OR.
Friends, “The One With the Holiday Armadillo”
I know Friends is a controversial show, but I still had to put this episode on the list because nonetheless, it is a classic. Get ready for the annual visit from the Holiday Armadillo!
Black Mirror, “White Christmas”
Black Mirror does Christmas? I am not sure what to say, just watch it. Warning: to be expected, there is no holiday cheer in this episode.
This is not an exhausted list of my favorite Christmas episodes, but these are some of my favorites. And if you’re wondering if I think it’s appropriate to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving, I say why not? Especially this year when 2020 has been nothing but misery. Let the holidays come early and put those lights on your tree.