{"id":201829,"date":"2025-12-25T22:18:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T22:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/201829\/"},"modified":"2025-12-25T22:18:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T22:18:23","slug":"7-best-christmas-tv-episodes-and-specials-to-watch-for-the-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/201829\/","title":{"rendered":"7 best Christmas TV episodes and specials to watch for the holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who doesn\u2019t love a Christmas-themed TV episode? Holiday programming on the networks and streamers continues to increase every year. I mean, the Hallmark Channel dedicates months to Christmas movies and TV shows. For this article, we\u2019re sticking to television as the preferred medium of choice.<\/p>\n

The Christmas episode has been a staple for dramas and sitcoms, especially ones that air on major broadcast networks. A few of those shows, including \u201cThe Simpsons\u201d and \u201cThe Office,\u201d made our list of Christmas episodes to watch this season. Keep reading to see what else made the cut.<\/p>\n

\u2018Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\u2019 (\u2018The Simpsons\u2019 season 1, episode 1)<\/p>\n

With 37 seasons and 800-plus episodes, \u201cThe Simpsons\u201d has had quite a few Christmas specials. Many might forget that the series premiere, \u201cSimpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,\u201d was a Christmas special. While the Simpson family appeared in shorts on \u201cThe Tracey Ullman Show,\u201d this Christmas episode served as the mainstream introduction for Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.<\/p>\n

In the episode, Marge is forced to use the family\u2019s savings to remove Bart\u2019s tattoo. Without a Christmas bonus, Homer gets a second job as a mall Santa. \u201cSimpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\u201d is not the funniest nor the best episode of the sitcom. However, it\u2019s a combination of humor and heart that creates the blueprint for America\u2019s longest-running sitcom.<\/p>\n

Watch on Disney+<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Fishes\u2019 (\u2018The Bear\u2019 season 2, episode 6)<\/p>\n

Scaring the Normals – Scene | The Bear | FX – YouTube
\n\"Scaring<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

If you ever thought your family\u2019s drama at the holidays was bad, watch the Berzattos in \u201cFishes.\u201d Their problems will make your family\u2019s issues look like child\u2019s play. During the excellent second season of \u201cThe Bear,\u201d creator Christopher Storer crafted a holiday flashback episode from hell.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Christmas time, and Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) returns from Europe to celebrate with his friends and family. Everyone gathers at Donna\u2019s (Jamie Lee Curtis) house for the Feast of the Seven Fishes. What could go wrong in a house full of stubborn and opinionated Berzattos? The episode features a who\u2019s who of Hollywood cameos in this anxiety-inducing dinner that erupts in chaos.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

Watch on Hulu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018The Strike\u2019 (\u2018Seinfeld\u2019 season 9, episode 10)<\/p>\n

The Story Of Festivus | Seinfeld – YouTube
\n\"The<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

A Festivus for the rest of us! In 1997, \u201cSeinfeld\u201d introduced the world to Festivus, a holiday to alleviate the unwanted pressures of Christmas. After Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller) got into a fight with another holiday shopper, he created Festivus as a way to rebel against the commercialization of Christmas.<\/p>\n

Festivus traditions include the aluminum pole, a dinner, the airing of grievances and the feats of strength. Festivus is now considered a non-secular holiday celebrated on December 23, so make sure you\u2019re ready this year!<\/p>\n

Watch on Netflix<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018White Christmas\u2019 (\u2018Black Mirror\u2019 season 2, episode 4)<\/p>\n

Creator Charlie Brooker Explains\u2026 | Black Mirror: White Christmas – YouTube
\n\"Creator<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Who said that Christmas had to be merry? If \u201cBlack Mirror\u201d taught us anything, it\u2019s that humanity has a sick and twisted sense of humor. \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d is as bleak an ending as any in the show\u2019s seven-season run.<\/p>\n

For five years, Joe Potter (Rafe Spall) and Matt Trent (Jon Hamm) have lived in a secluded cabin. On Christmas Day, the duo finally speaks, electing to share tales from their past lives about what led to their isolation. From cloning and artificial intelligence to blocking and misery, \u201cWhite Christmas\u201d is not for the faint of heart. It definitely won’t spread any Christmas cheer either.<\/p>\n

Watch on Netflix<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018A Charlie Brown Christmas\u2019<\/p>\n

A Charlie Brown Christmas \u2014 Charlie\u2019s Christmas Tree | Apple TV – YouTube
\n\"A<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang learning about the true meaning of Christmas still brings a smile to millions of Americans every year. In \u201cA Charlie Brown Christmas,\u201d Charlie strives to help his friends realize that material possessions, like having the biggest Christmas tree, are not the sole purpose of the holiday.<\/p>\n

In our jaded society, the messages of hope and love in \u201cA Charlie Brown Christmas\u201d can feel like pipe dreams. By the end of the episode, the Peanuts are singing \u201cHark! The Herald Angels Sing,\u201d and those pessimistic thoughts are replaced with hopeful affirmations. At an early screening of the special, Ed Levitt, one of the animators, reportedly said, \u201c\u2018A Charlie Brown Christmas\u2019 will run for a hundred years.\u201d Some six decades later, Levitt\u2019s prediction is over halfway there.<\/p>\n

Watch on Apple TV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018A Saturday Night Live Christmas Special\u2019<\/p>\n

SNL Presents 12 Minutes of I Wish It Was Christmas Today – YouTube
\n\"SNL<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

On “Saturday Night Live,” I’ll take the holiday sketches over the political reenactments, and it’s not even close. For every successful political homage, there are three holiday-themed sketches with more iconic moments and bigger laughs. Some highlights include Schweddy Balls, Mister Robinson\u2019s Neighborhood Christmas, Drunk Uncle, Bring It on Down to Wrappinville, and Glengarry Glen Christmas.<\/p>\n

For those with an affinity for music, “D*** in a Box” and “I Wish It Was Christmas Today” could be the comedic additions to your holiday playlists. And to those who celebrate Hanukkah, Adam Sandler has an endearing tune to honor those eight crazy nights.<\/p>\n

Watch on Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Christmas Party\u2019 (\u2018The Office\u2019 season 2, episode 10)<\/p>\n

Yankee Swap – The Office US – YouTube
\n\"Yankee<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cChristmas Party\u201d is an ideal episode of \u201cThe Office.\u201d The episode allows every character to have a moment in the spotlight to either nail a signature gag or showcase their humor (or lack thereof). Michael (Steve Carell) obviously takes things too far when he gifts Ryan (B.J. Novak) an iPod in what was supposed to be a $20 game of Secret Santa.<\/p>\n

Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) continue their \u201cwill they-won\u2019t they\u201d courtship thanks to a heartfelt teapot. Dwight (Rainn Wilson) does Dwight things, Angela (Angela Kinsey) gets no love, and Meredith (Kate Flannery) drinks too much. In other words, it\u2019s just another normal day at Dunder Mifflin.<\/p>\n

Watch on Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n

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