Christmas is Better with Sitcoms: Episodes to Rewatch Every Year

Christmas is the ideal time to rediscover the magic of sitcoms. During this time of year, laughter intertwines with the scent of cinnamon and the familiar atmosphere of the holidays, as great classics of television comedy return to warm hearts with their most iconic episodes, filled with sweetness, chaos, irresistible disasters under the tree, and laughter. Here's a selection of unmissable Christmas episodes to rewatch (or discover for the first time) during the holidays.

• Friends
• How I Met Your Mother
• The Office (U.S.)
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• The Big Bang Theory
• Modern Family
• Scrubs

Friends, the Christmas episodes

Christmas in New York wouldn't be the same without Friends. The iconic sitcom of the '90s transformed every holiday episode into a small classic of television comedy. Even if not all seasons boast a Christmas installment, every time snow falls on Manhattan, the six friends from Central Perk remind us how their story is a true celebration of friendship, that “found family” that has continued to make us laugh and cry for thirty years.

Here are all the Christmas episodes of Friends, perfect for a marathon on the couch, with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee in hand:

• Season 2, Episode 9 – “The One with Phoebe’s Dad”: Phoebe decides to look for her father; Monica experiments with “sweet” tips; Joey and Chandler buy gifts at the last minute… at a gas station.
• Season 3, Episode 10 – “The One Where Rachel Quits”: Rachel leaves the coffee shop to pursue a career in fashion, while Ross accidentally breaks a scout's leg and ends up selling cookies to make amends.
• Season 4, Episode 10 – “The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie”: Undecided between two girls, Ross faces romantic chaos; Phoebe writes a Christmas song and Monica fights to assert herself in the kitchen.
• Season 5, Episode 10 – “The One with the Inappropriate Sister”: Rachel dates a guy who is too close to his sister, Phoebe collects Christmas donations, and Monica and Chandler continue to hide their relationship.
• Season 6, Episode 10 – “The One with the Routine”: Ross and Monica dance live on TV while Rachel and Phoebe search for hidden gifts. One of the most brilliant episodes for pace and comedy.
• Season 7, Episode 10 – “The One with the Holiday Armadillo”: Ross dresses up as an Armadillo to explain the meaning of Hanukkah to Ben. Perhaps the most famous and surreal Christmas episode of the entire series.
• Season 8, Episode 11 – “The One with Ross’s Step Forward”: Ross is alarmed by a couple's postcard, Rachel deals with pregnancy hormones and gifts, while Chandler tries to avoid his intrusive boss.
• Season 9, Episode 10 – “The One with Christmas in Tulsa”: Away from home for work, Chandler rejects an affair and makes a life-changing decision: to leave everything to return to Monica.

Why rewatch them today? Friends' Christmas episodes have become a television tradition in themselves. Light, ironic, and always familiar, they remind us that the real gift isn't under the tree, but in the people who make us laugh even in the most chaotic moments. Rewatching them today means rediscovering that perfect balance of humor and tenderness that made the series a timeless classic.

How I Met Your Mother, the Christmas episodes

With Christmas 2025 just around the corner, there's no better time to return to MacLaren's and rediscover the Christmas episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Few shows have managed to alternate irony and melancholy with such naturalness, transforming the holidays into a stage for authentic emotions. Each Christmas episode is a small story about the value of bonds, forgiveness, and friendship: the true gifts that time never wears out.

• Season 2, Episode 11 – “How Lily Stole Christmas”: an old insult resurfaces and threatens to ruin the holidays. Ted seeks Lily's forgiveness and, amidst alcohol, lights, and messy decorations, the series reminds us that Christmas is first and foremost about reconciliation and rediscovered affection.
• Season 4, Episode 11 – “Little Minnesota”: Marshall takes Robin to a Minnesota-themed bar to give her her ideal Christmas, while Ted desperately tries to keep Barney away from his sister. An episode that blends lightness and tenderness with the series' usual irony.
• Season 6, Episode 12 – “False Positive”: unexpected news disrupts the group's Christmas plans. Amidst personal crises and existential decisions, Ted becomes the balancing point, reminding everyone, including us viewers, what truly matters in life.
• Season 7, Episode 12 – “Symphony of Illumination”: Robin faces a painful truth while Marshall prepares a light show for the community. It is perhaps the most touching episode of the entire series: a small gem capable of combining Christmas magic with the melancholy of growing up.
• Season 8, Episodes 11–12 – “The Final Page, Part 1 & 2”: Barney orchestrates a plan that will change everything, while Ted faces a choice between heart and friendship. Two episodes that intertwine sentiment and surprise, culminating in one of the most romantic and iconic moments of the series.

Why rewatch them today? How I Met Your Mother's Christmas episodes are much more than a simple holiday ritual: they are a love letter to friendship, second chances, and the passage of time. Rewatching them today means rediscovering that magic made of laughter and melancholy that only Carter Bays and Craig Thomas's series has managed to tell with such sincerity. A perfect marathon for those who love to smile, reflect, and, why not, be moved in front of the Christmas tree. Don't miss the Christmas special dedicated to How I Met Your Mother by clicking here!

The Office (U.S.), the Christmas episodes

The Office (U.S.) transformed Christmas into a perfect balance of chaos, irony, and humanity. Each Christmas episode is a small comedic gem, capable of blending the surreal with the everyday and reminding us why Dunder Mifflin became one of the most beloved settings in modern TV.

• Season 2, Episode 10 – “Christmas Party”: Michael ruins the atmosphere by turning a quiet “Secret Santa” into a competition of crazy and ruthless exchanges. Amidst inappropriate gifts and tensions under the tree, Jim attempts a romantic gesture for Pam that remains one of the series' most tender moments.
• Season 3, Episodes 10–11 – “A Benihana Christmas”: After a romantic disappointment, Michael finds refuge in a Japanese restaurant, while in the office, a war breaks out between two rival parties, organized by Angela and Pam. One of the most memorable episodes, where comedy intertwines with a subtle melancholy.
• Season 5, Episode 11 – “Moroccan Christmas”: Phyllis organizes an exotic-themed party, but the office quickly descends into chaos amidst secrets, alcohol, and personal conflicts. Michael tries to impose order… obviously, making everything worse.
• Season 6, Episode 13 – “Secret Santa”: When Phyllis gets the role of Santa Claus, Michael loses his temper and turns the rivalry into a hilarious spectacle. An episode that demonstrates how even egocentrism can become pure comedy.
• Season 7, Episodes 11–12 – “Classy Christmas”: Holly's imminent return prompts Michael to organize an elegant party in a desperate attempt to win her back. Meanwhile, Dwight and Jim face off in one of TV's most epic snowball fights.
• Season 8, Episode 10 – “Christmas Wishes”: With Andy as the new manager, Dunder Mifflin promises a Christmas of good intentions and wishes granted… but amidst jealousy, pranks, and old habits, the office soon degenerates into chaos.
• Season 9, Episode 9 – “Dwight Christmas”: Dwight organizes a celebration inspired by German traditions, complete with folk costumes and symbolic punishments. The result? A bizarre and irresistibly The Office Christmas.

Why rewatch them today? The Office's Christmas episodes remind us that even in the most absurd and stressful places, a sense of family can emerge. Amidst corporate disasters and moments of sincere tenderness, Christmas at Dunder Mifflin remains an unpredictable, chaotic, and, ultimately, surprisingly human holiday. Don't miss the Christmas special dedicated to The Office by clicking here!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the Christmas episodes

At the 99th precinct, Christmas isn't just about gifts or decorations: it's a test of friendship, irony, and teamwork. Brooklyn Nine-Nine managed to transform the holidays into a perfect mix of action and ensemble comedy. The Christmas episodes aren't many, but each one encapsulates the magic and madness of New York holidays with the series' unmistakable style.

• Season 1, Episode 11 – “Christmas”: Jake must protect Captain Holt after a series of threats, while Terry faces his fear of returning to active duty. Amidst anxieties, jokes, and moments of camaraderie, the 99th shows its most human and dysfunctional side.
• Season 2, Episode 10 – “The Pontiac Bandit Returns”: Doug Judy, the inimitable good-hearted con artist, returns. Jake tries to arrest him, but as always falls victim to his irresistible charm. Meanwhile, Amy ignores Holt's “no gifts” rule, with predictably hilarious results.
• Season 3, Episode 10 – “Yippie Kayak”: Jake, Gina, and Boyle find themselves hostages in a Christmas mall robbery. Between clumsy heroics and rapid-fire Die Hard quotes, the episode is an irresistible homage to action cinema and one of the best Christmas episodes of the series.
• Season 4, Episode 10 – “Captain Latvia”: Boyle drags Jake on a crazy mission to retrieve a rare toy for his son, ending up in the crosshairs of a Latvian criminal gang. An episode that alternates pure comedy and sincere tenderness, demonstrating that even the funniest detectives have big hearts.

Why rewatch them today? Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Christmas episodes remind us that the true spirit of the holidays isn't in perfect gifts, but in loyalty, friendship, and shared laughter. Amidst improbable crimes and eccentric colleagues, the series always manages to rediscover the human warmth that makes the 99th precinct one of contemporary TV's most beloved “families.”

The Big Bang Theory, the Christmas episodes

Even the small screen's geniuses celebrate Christmas… in their own way. The Big Bang Theory proved that even amidst mathematical formulas and quantum theories, there's room for genuine emotions. Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, and the rest of the group remind us that sharing, however awkward or clumsy, remains the universal language of the holidays.

• Season 2, Episode 11 – “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis”: When Penny gives Sheldon a gift, his rigid logical system implodes. This creates an iconic moment, one of the most tender and funny of the entire series, showcasing Parsons' genius and the sitcom's ability to combine rationality and heart.
• Season 3, Episode 11 – “The Maternal Congruence”: Leonard's mother arrives for Christmas and, with her relentless analysis, sows emotional chaos. Sheldon, on the other hand, considers her a kindred spirit: finally someone on his level of logic and control.
• Season 6, Episode 11 – “The Santa Simulation”: A Christmas game of Dungeons & Dragons turns into an inner journey for Sheldon, forced to come to terms with his past and the (scientifically illogical) meaning of Christmas.
• Season 7, Episode 11 – “The Cooper Extraction”: With Sheldon in Texas, his friends imagine what their lives would be like without him. Between nostalgia and gratitude, the episode becomes a sweet and melancholic reflection on the value of friendship and the mark we leave on others.
• Season 8, Episode 11 – “The Clean Room Infiltration”: A little bird messes up an experiment, while Amy organizes a Victorian Christmas. Sheldon tries to sabotage the party by looking for the “perfect gift,” but ends up discovering, despite himself, the true spirit of the holidays.
• Season 10, Episode 12 – “The Holiday Summation”: After the holidays, the group reunites to recount their Christmas disasters: one of the most human and affectionate portrayals of their chaotic universe emerges.

Why rewatch them today? The Big Bang Theory's Christmas episodes remind us that even the most rational mind can melt in the face of a sincere gesture. The series gives us a Christmas made of laughter and warmth, a perfect balance between science and sentiment.

Modern Family, the Christmas episodes

With such a large, chaotic, and diverse family, Christmas in Modern Family is never the same. Christmas celebrations bring together, often against all logic, the Dunphys, the Delgados, and the Tucker-Pritchetts in a series of hilarious disasters and moments of sincere tenderness. For eleven seasons, the series intelligently and ironically portrayed the imperfection of family love, reminding us that, in the end, at Christmas, we always find each other.

• Season 1, Episode 10 – “Undeck the Halls”: Phil and Claire cancel Christmas in an attempt to find out who burned the couch, inaugurating a long tradition of failed holidays. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria argue about Christmas customs; Mitch and Cam, in classic Modern Family style, end up getting a Santa Claus fired.
• Season 3, Episode 10 – “Express Christmas”: When the family discovers they can't spend December 25th together, they decide to organize an “express Christmas” in a single day. Of course, nothing goes as planned: amidst misunderstandings, improbable gifts, and improvised holiday spirit, one of the series' most beloved episodes is born.
• Season 5, Episode 10 – “The Old Man and the Tree”: Phil attempts a heroic feat to cut down the perfect tree alone, while Gloria finds herself jealous of Claire and the Dunphy girls improvise as Santa's helpers. A frantic, colorful, and irresistibly comical episode.
• Season 7, Episode 9 – “White Christmas”: Gloria rents a mountain cabin to give the family an authentic “white Christmas,” but the tropical climate ruins the plans. The family still manages to find, as always, their affectionate balance.
• Season 10, Episode 10 – “Stuck in a Moment”: Haley and Dylan try to reveal their pregnancy, but the news gets lost amidst venomous spiders, botched disguises, and Santas stuck in chimneys. Chaos and sweetness blend in an episode that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the series.
• Season 11, Episode 9 – “The Last Christmas”: The series' last Christmas is also its most emblematic: secrets, jealousies, and reconciliations close an eleven-year cycle, delivering a bittersweet but warm farewell. It's the perfect conclusion to a family saga that made diversity and love its creed.

Why rewatch them today? Modern Family's Christmas episodes are an authentic portrait of imperfect love: they remind us that the true magic of Christmas isn't in perfection, but in the ability to find each other even amidst a thousand differences. And perhaps, precisely for this reason, they remain so universal.

Scrubs, the Christmas episodes

Between tears and laughter, Scrubs always managed to find the perfect balance between comedy and sentiment, transforming life in the ward into a human, sincere, and at times spiritual story. In its Christmas episodes, Bill Lawrence's series abandons pure hospital cynicism to open up to themes like faith, compassion, and the value of small things.

• Season 1, Episode 11 – “My Own Personal Jesus”: On Christmas Eve, Turk goes through a crisis of faith after a series of emergencies and disappointments. But an unexpected encounter will make him rediscover hope, giving us one of the most touching and symbolic episodes of the first season.
• Season 4, Episode 12 – “My Best Moment”: The doctors of Sacred Heart recall their most significant moments in a mosaic of stories that celebrates empathy and gratitude. A choral and bittersweet episode, where Christmas becomes an opportunity to reconcile with oneself and with others.

Why rewatch them today? Scrubs' Christmas episodes remain small gems of humanity, capable of blending comedy, melancholy, and hope like few other series. Rewatching them today means remembering that even in the most frantic and unpredictable places, like a hospital, Christmas can still bring faith, forgiveness, and sincere connections. And, above all, that sometimes a laugh can be the most authentic form of comfort.