Bored of the same old Christmas movies? Need a break between two family visits? Relax with a Christmas episode of your favorite TV shows. Here are some of the best holiday TV episodes. 

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Technically it’s a TV special, not a Christmas episode, but since its debut in 1965 it has become a classic. Set to some great relaxing jazz, the beloved animation tackles important questions, such as the over-commercialisation of Christmas. It chronicles Charlie Brown’s search for the true meaning of Christmas, finding the over-zealous decorations of Snoopy and the selfish requests from Santa to be depressing. The message is simply delivered yet is a sweet reminder of the origins of the holiday, and perfect for getting into the true Christmas spirit.

2. The West Wing – Nöel – Season 2 Episode 10

The West Wing never had traditional Christmas episodes, rather episodes set around the time of Christmas, with an additional dose of moral consciousness. Nöel recalls the aftermath of a shooting that affected the lives of the White House staff, and especially Josh Lyman, Deputy Chief of Staff. In a series of flashbacks, Josh reveals to a PTSD specialist what happened to him in the days leading up to a minor nervous breakdown. His escalating tension is mirrored in Yo-Yo Ma’s powerful performance at the Congressional Christmas party, and we can’t help but empathise with Josh. This episode may not seem like much of a holiday cheer, but it’s a beautiful piece of television that reminds us to stop and pay attention to those around us amidst the holiday craze.

3. Friends – The One With the Holiday Armadillo – Season 7 Episode 10

If you’re yearning for some light-hearted Christmas TV, look no further than the 10 seasons worth of Christmas episodes on the most famous sitcom of the 90’s, Friends. It’s almost impossible to choose, but if you only have 20 minutes for a quick Christmas laugh, watch ‘The One With the Holiday Armadillo’. Phoebe’s eccentric behavior and somewhat morbid attitude toward the holidays has everybody’s eyebrows raised, but the real comedy begins when the titular Holiday Armadillo appears. Ross introduces the most ridiculous holiday mascot ever conceived, and when Chandler enters, dressed as a proper Santa their comedic chemistry really shines through. The entire episode pokes fun at conventions of Christmas such as the overload of useless gifts and the various holiday narratives parents make up for their children. But most of all it’s just a good laugh. 

4. Seinfeld – The Strike – Season 9 Episode 10

More proof that TV writers are very inventive with their winter holidays. In its last season Seinfeld introduced us to the concept of Festivus; Christmas without all the commercial trappings. An aluminum pole replaces the traditional Christmas tree, as George’s father, the inventor of Festivus, finds tinsel to be distracting. The highlight of the holiday is the so-called “airing of grievances”, something that might be familiar to those celebrating Christmas as well. As George’s father says “Festivus for the rest of us”, and this episode is indeed for the rest of us who are not entirely charmed by the holiday season.

5. The OC - The Best Chrismukkah Ever – Season 1 Episode 13

“So what's it gonna be huh? Your menorah or your candy cane?” asks Seth Cohen at the beginning of the episode, but in Orange County, you don’t have to choose. Seth has the solution: the ultimate holiday: Chrismukkah. With a Jewish father and Wasp mother, Seth Cohen decides these two holidays can be combined as a force for good. The episode features teenage alcoholism, shoplifting, sugar daddies, fraud, and a love triangle; what more do you need for holiday cheer? Thankfully, according to Cohen, both Jesus and Moses work together at Chrismukkah miracles. Unfortunately they didn’t save this show from turning into an over-dramatic soap opera nightmare, but this early episode is a good example of why it had so much potential. If for nothing else, we may thank the creators of The OC for giving us the term Chrismukkah.