This time of year so many of our beloved weekly episodic obsessions are on hiatus which is reason enough to hop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or some other streaming platform out there and watch an episode or 10 of the BEST holiday-themed episodes out there.
Best based on my better judgement.
You don’t have to agree.
Here they are in no particular order!
1.Rugrats – The Santa Experience
Rugrats to me is my childhood, sue me for loving those children so much, and their Holiday specials were simply the best. They reflected not only on Christmas but Hanukka, Kwanzaa, Halloween, Mother’s Day, and Passover. This episode in particular was one of it’s earliest (and quite possibly the greatest) double-length episode
2.Everybody Loves Raymond – The Toaster
Not everyone I knew was a fan of this show, and to be honest, it took me a long time to come around to it. This close-knit (maybe a little too close for comfort) family becomes even more prominent during the Christmas season. Watch it, tell me I’m wrong.
3.Arrested Development – Afternoon Delight
Arrested Development throws every type of human into their sitcom, and every joke lands leaving your tummy hurting from laughter. This episode was an unqualified success… just don’t watch it if you haven’t watched the following season.
4.The Office – Christmas Party
There are so many words I could write about this episode but I won’t. Just go watch it, thank me later.
5.The OC – The Best Christmukkah Ever
The perfect blend of Hanukkah and Christmas is beautiful, festive, and downright clever. The mind of Seth Cohen always gives me the butterflies and happy feelings. Enough said.
6.It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – A Very Sunny Christmas
This episode was an instant classic. The whole gang comes together, and doesn’t have a heartwarming ending that you would typically expect from a Holiday Special.
7.Family Guy – A Very Special Family Guy Freakin’ Christmas
Christmas in Quahog is EXACTLY as complicated as you would expect. Their dark comedy is exactly what their audience needs in a time when all is Merry and Bright.
8.Friends – The One With the Holiday Armadillo
Ross in an armadillo costume, that’s all.
9.Modern Family – The Express Christmas
This episode is filled with all the gags and witty one-liners that you have come to expect from Modern Family, as well as this message: even when everything goes wrong, you still have family.
10.South Park – Mr. Hankey, The Christmas Poo
South Park was something that my cousin indulged in, and sometimes I would be allowed to watch with her. I was 8 when this episode aired and I can still remember watching it with her. South Park remains the ONLY show to centre multiple episodes around a sentient piece of human excrement. This episode, along with the song, is hilariously disgusting and dumb… but that’s what makes it so great.
Now, go, watch some Holiday-Themed TV and smile.
Until next week when I bring you the next 10.
My Portable Magic 