With precious few days of the holiday season left, what better time to lay in bed with your laptop and not do things? Play a few of these Christmas-centric TV episodes from some favorite shows and you’ll feel like you’re getting ready for the big event, even if you still need to think up a gift for your significant other and the store was already out of cute wrapping paper.
The holiday season is about kindness — namely, to yourself.
“Friends”: “The One With The Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)
Ross (David Schwimmer) is entertaining his son Ben (Cole Sprouse) for the holidays, and finds he must settle for something else when he can’t find a Santa suit still available to rent at the last minute.
Also: “The One With The Monkey” (Season 1, Episode 10), “The One With Phoebe’s Dad” (Season 2, Episode 9), “The One Where Rachel Quits” (Season 3, Episode 10), “The One With The Girl From Poughkeepsie” (Season 4, Episode 10), “The One With The Inappropriate Sister” (Season 5, Episode 10), “The One With The Routine” (Season 6, Episode 10), “The One With The Creepy Holiday Card” (Season 8, Episode 11), and “The One With Christmas In Tulsa” (Season 9, Episode 10).
“House”: “It’s A Wonderful Lie” (Season 4, Episode 10)
Dr. “Scrooge” House (Hugh Laurie) treats a woman who can’t move her hands, but finds the two share a commitment to honesty. Meanwhile, House’s assistants arrange a Secret Santa.
Also: “Merry Little Christmas” (Season 3, Episode 10) and “Joy To The World” (Season 5, Episode 11).
“Gilmore Girls”: “Forgiveness and Stuff” (Season 1, Episode 10)
A classic episode that brings the splintered Gilmore family — and Luke (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) — closer together after Richard (Edward Hermann) suffers a heart attack at a Christmas party.
Also: “The Bracebridge Dinner” (Season 2, Episode 10).
“Scrubs”: “My Own Personal Jesus” (Season 1, Episode 11)
Turk (Donald Faison) believes J.D. (Zach Braff) has witnessed a Christmas miracle, but a late night at the hospital causes him to question his faith. Meanwhile, Elliott (Sarah Chalke) helps a pregnant girl at the free clinic and the janitor (Neil Flynn) gets festive.
Also: “My Best Moment” (Season 4, Episode 12)
BONUS: “My Charlie Brown Christmas,” an unaired episode from Season 3!
“The Office”: “The Christmas Party” (Season 2, Episode 10)
When Dunder Mifflin holds a Secret Santa gift exchange, Jim (John Krasinski) has to figure out what to give Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Michael’s (Steve Carrell) reaction to his present causes some office drama.
Also: “A Benihana Christmas” (Season 3, Episode 10), “Moroccan Christmas” (Season 5, Episode 11), “Secret Santa” (Season 6, Episode 13), “Classy Christmas” (Season 7, Episodes 11 and 12), Christmas Wishes (Season 8, Episode 10), “Dwight Christmas” (Season 9, Episode 9).
“Mad Men”: “Christmas Waltz” (Season 5, Episode 10)
It’s a stressful holiday around the office when Lane (Jared Harris) tries to negotiate Christmas bonuses for the office to cover his debts, but ends up forging a check from Don (Jon Hamm). Meanwhile, Joan (Christina Hendricks) is served divorce papers and Harry (Rich Sommer) canoodles with some Hare Krishnas.
Also: “Christmas Comes But Once A Year” (Season 4, Episode 2)
“The West Wing”: “In Excelsis Deo” (Season 1, Episode 10)
After a man dies wearing a coat Toby had donated to Goodwill (with a business card still in one of the pockets), Toby decides to arrange his funeral. C.J. pushes for anti-hate-crime legislation as President Bartlet ditches his protective detail to go shopping.
Also: “Noel,” (Season 2, Episode 10), “Bartlet For America” (Season 3, Episode 10) “Holy Night” (Season 4, Episode 11), “Abu El Banat” (Season 5, Episode 9).
“The Office” (British version): “Christmas Special” (Season 2, Episode 7)
The final two episodes of the British office were something to remember: Years after the documentary made them semi-famous, all the old Wernham Hogg staffers get together for the office Christmas party.
“Saturday Night Live”: Martin Short/Paul McCartney
There’s only one season of SNL on Netflix, and it contains one Christmas episode. Sketches include “You’re A Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown” and “A Tony Bennett Christmas.”
“Parks and Recreation”: “Citizen Knope” (Season 4, Episode 10)
Suspended from her job, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) keeps sneaking back into Pawnee City Hall to work. Meanwhile, everyone teams up to get Leslie a gift as good as any of the ones she’d given them over the years.
Also: “Christmas Scandal” (Season 2, Episode 12), “Ron and Diane” (Season 5, Episode 9).
“30 Rock”: “Ludachristmas” (Season 2, Episode 9)
Jack’s (Alec Baldwin) mother surprises him with a Christmas visit as Liz (Tina Fey) prepares for a visit from her comparatively family and the writers plan another Ludachristmas party.
Also: “Christmas Special” (Season 3, Episode 6), “Secret Santa” (Season 4, Episode 8), “Christmas Attack Zone” (Season 5, Episode 10).
“BoJack Horseman”: “Sabrina’s Christmas Wish“
BoJack (Will Arnett) and Todd (Aaron Paul) watch an old “Horsin’ Around” Christmas special and reminisce.
“It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia”: “A Very Sunny Christmas” (Season 6, Episode 13)
Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and Dee (Kaitlin Olson) try teaching Frank (Danny DeVito) a lesson in Christmas spirit while Mac (Rob McElhenney) and Charlie (Charlie Day) realize their childhood holidays weren’t so merry as they remember.
“Gossip Girl”: “Roman Holiday” (Season 1, Episode 11)
Blair’s (Leighton Meester) father (!) visits with his boyfriend (!) as Serena (Blake Lively) figures out what to get Dan (Penn Badgley) for Christmas, and Blair frets about her love triangle.
Also: “It’s A Wonderful Lie” (Season 2, Episode 12).
“Psych”: “Gus’ Dad May Have Killed An Old Guy” (Season 2, Episode 10)
Shawn (James Roday) and his dad are invited to Gus’ (Dule Hill) family’s Christmas celebration when someone’s murdered, and Gus’ dad becomes a suspect.
Also: “Christmas Joy” (Season 3, Episode 9), “The Polarizing Express” (Season 5, Episode 14).
Note: Episodes are all currently available, but subject to change at the behest of Netflix.
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