Everyone always talks about how great the Thanksgiving episodes of Friends are, but no one gives credit to how good the Holiday episodes are. I decided to nobly sit in bed all day and binge-watch every holiday episode on Netflix so you don’t have to. I have ranked them from worst to best, starting with:
The One with Christmas in Tulsa (Season 9 Episode 10)
Although far from the best holiday episode of Friends, we are reminded of past holiday episodes and short clips of Monica and Chandler together from past seasons. There is also a surprise ending which adds a twist, but the episode still falls short when compared to the other holiday episodes.
The One with All the Candy (Season 7 Episode 9)
This episode just reminds us of how greedy people can become around the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas but I don’t love Monica being pressured to make candy for all her neighbors. The secondary plot to this episode is what keeps it from being in last place; Ross buys Phoebe a pink bicycle and teaches her how to ride a bike. Can we say BFF goals?
The One with the Creepy Holiday Card (Season 8 Episode 11)
This episode is just pure cringe. Although Season 8 was very successful for Friends, the episode reminds us that Ross is leading a girl on to believe that their relationship is going somewhere. Typical of Ross to ruin an episode, and a relationship.
The One with Phoebe’s Dad (Season 2 Episode 9)
This episode is sentimental and sappy. But it is moving as well. When Phoebe finds out that her dad lives Upstate, she wants to go see him and takes some of her friends for emotional support. The episode ends with a gift exchange that really adds the holiday spirit to the episode.
The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie (Season 4 Episode 10)
This episode plagues every single one of the main characters with a problem, but Phoebe’s holiday song carries the whole episode. Her back must be getting sore since she also carries the next holiday episode.
The One with the Inappropriate Sister (Season 5 Episode 10)
Phoebe’s plot kind of carries this whole episode. The whole Rachel and the creepy brother-sister duo just seems to make people uncomfortable. The episode crosses too many lines for it to feel like a holiday episode.
The One with the Monkey (Season 1 Episode 10)
Although it is the first-holiday episode, the chemistry between the six friends is already blooming. We get introduced to Marcel, Ross’s pet monkey, and it is filled with laughs and light-hearted comedy.
The One with Monica’s Boots (Season 8 Episode 10)
With Monica buying a pair of expensive designer shoes, and Chandler becoming annoyed with her, the episode is already great. But add in Phoebe desperately trying to see Sting and Joey’s pregnant sister, and we have ourselves a great holiday episode.
The One with All the Resolutions (Season 5 Episode 11)
This episode reminds us all how hard it is to stick to a New Year’s resolution. The best part of this episode, however, is Ross’s leather pants. When he goes on a date and has trouble getting his pants back on after going to the bathroom, he calls Joey for help. If that doesn’t tell you how funny the episode is, I don’t know what will.
The One with the Routine (Season 6 Episode 10)
When Monica and Ross get the chance to dance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the Geller’s get more competitive than we have seen them. They pull out all the stops to impress. Meanwhile, Rachel is searching the apartment for Monica’s gifts.
The One Where Rachel Quits (Season 3 Episode 10)
This episode capitalizes on the Christmas spirit with Joey saving Christmas trees and Ross selling Christmas cookies for the little girl he injures. But, most importantly Rachel quits her job at the Central Perk and goes on to do bigger and better things. The episode can’t help but make people feel jolly.
The One with the Holiday Armadillo (Season 7 Episode 10)
This is the epitome of Friends Holiday episodes. Ross’s stand-in for Santa while explaining to Ben the joys of Hanukkah is one of Ross’s better moments (which are few and far between). Chandler’s Santa Claus getup is also one of the highlights of the show. This is everything we expect from a Friends holiday episode and more.
Please remember, none of these are finite and that these are all opinion-based. I love every episode of Friends in its own way and hope that that even if you don’t agree with the list, it gave you a chance to relive some of your favourite Friends moments!