While most shows don’t have a Christmas episode for every season, there are some shows that offer more Christmas episodes than others. When we think back to some of our favorite Christmas television moments, some visuals in particular come to mind: Michael Scott and Phyllis both dressing as Santa (and Dwight as an elf) inThe Office’s season six “Secret Santa” episode. Another inSeinfeldwith Frank Costanza’s iconic moment when he says, “George, Festivus is your heritage. It’s part of who you are.”
Some shows changed genres during the holidays, such asCommunity,which made its characters wake up in an entirely new stop animation world. Others, such asBoy Meets World,used Christmas episodes during the first season to help establish character dynamics and tone that would carry over for the rest of the show’s duration. Here are 10 shows that featured some of the most Christmas episodes of any show aired.
Related:The Best TV Christmas Episodes of All Time Ranked
10The Office
While there was not a Christmas episode every season, there were seven Christmas episodes total throughout the nine seasons ofThe Office. One episode that stood out as a classic was the “Christmas Party” episode. Michael organizes a secret Santa gift exchange, considerably going over the limit when he purchases a new iPod for his secret Santa, Ryan. He receives a homemade oven mitt from Phyllis, sending him to change the traditional exchange into a white elephant exchange instead. Antics occur when Jim’s teapot with thoughtful messages and inside jokes for Pam ends up in the hands of others throughout the evening, including Dwight who is happy to use it as a neti pot.
Seinfeldhad six Christmas episodes during its nine season run. One of themost popular Seinfeld episodes ever,“The Strike,” is simply known as the “Festivus” episode to its many adoring fans. George (Jason Alexander), finding himself in a pickle as usual, blames his fake donations for the fake charity, “the human fund,” on the fact that he doesn’t celebrate Christmas – instead, he celebrates “Festivus,” the holiday Frank Constanza (Jerry Stiller), his father invented. The holiday’s rituals include the “feats of strength” and “airing of grievances.”
Related:Seinfeld Star Jason Alexander Wishes Everyone a Happy Festivus
Frasierhad eight Christmas episodes over 11 total seasons. While there were many Christmas episodes overFrasier’srun, the showended on a holiday high-notewith the episode “High Holidays,” during its 11th and final season. Niles brings the laughs when, feeling as though he wasted his youthful chance at rebellion, he plans to get high on marijuana in time for the holidays.
Another show with a Christmas episode almost every season,Friends, had eight Christmas episodes during its 10 seasons. While theshow was often problematic, this episode in particular left viewers with a heartwarming feeling. Aired during season seven, “The One With the Holiday Armadillo” follows Ross as he attempts to teach his Christmas-obsessed son how to love Hanukkah. When Ross goes to rent a last-minute Christmas suit, he is left with creating a new character, the “Holiday Armadillo,” armed with knowledge about the Hanukkah holiday. The iconic holiday character remains a favorite of Friends’ fans to this day.
6Community
Communityhad four Christmas episodes during six seasons. Known for creatively changing things up,Communitysurprised viewers during their season two Christmas episode when Abed woke up todiscover everything was in stop motion animation.The whole study group is brought back together with a mission: to find the true meaning of Christmas.
30 Rockhad five Christmas episodes over seven seasons, with season three’s “Christmas Special” ranking as one of thetop30 Rockepisodes ever.Jack (Alec Baldwin) accidentally hits his mother with a car and breaks her hip, then secretly waits it out to see if she dies before calling for an ambulance. Forced to nurse his mother back to health, Jack insists the writers and producers put on a Christmas special as an excuse to get him out of the house and back to work.
New Girlhad four Christmas episodes over six total seasons. One of thebest Christmas episodes, “Christmas Eve Eve'' occurs in season six, when Jess attempts to keep Christmas alive in the loftby raising gift-giving stakes. Winston’s cat Ferguson donning reindeer antlers seals this episode with cuteness overload.
3Doctor Who
Known for its recurring Christmas specials,Doctor Whohas had an annual Christmas special episode every year since 2005. One of the most memorable episodes, “The Snowmen” features Matt Smith’s Doctor, evil snowmen, and the first appearance of theEleventh Doctor’s new TARDIS.
2Bob’s Burgers
Bob’s Burgershas had 11 Christmas episodes over 13 seasons, with yearly episodes occurring since season three. Season’s 10, “Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas” features a struggling Linda working at the postal office during the holiday season. When a delivery goes wrong, Lindafinds herself violating postal regulationsto play Santa.
1Boy Meets World
Those who grew up watching Cory and Topanga may remember that the show had five Christmas episodes during its seven season run. Season one’s “Santa’s Little Helper” is a great example ofBoy Meets World’sability to balance both humor and dramain a single episode. When one of Shawn’s parents gets laid off during the holidays, Cory unknowingly brags about his Christmas gifts. It takes a conversation with Mr. Feeny and his dad before Cory realizes it feels better to give than to receive during the Christmas season.
