Every great TV family gets at least one Christmas episode, and the best ones have become as much a part of the holidays as the tree and the lights. Some are sweet, some are chaos, and a few are both at once.
Here are the best Christmas episodes from the American TV families we cover, from 1960s classics to modern sitcoms and animated favorites. Every pick links to its episode page, so you can plan your own holiday marathon. If you're starting earlier in the season, see our picks for the best Thanksgiving episodes of TV families and the best Halloween episodes.
The Simpsons S01E01: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
The one that started it all. The Simpsons' first full-length episode aired on December 17, 1989, and it's a Christmas story. Homer's Christmas bonus is canceled, and the family's rainy-day money has to go toward removing Bart's tattoo. It's a scrappy, surprisingly sweet start to a show that would run for decades. Pair it with Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (S09E10), where Bart accidentally destroys the family's presents, claims a burglar stole them, and Springfield responds a little too generously to the false news.
The Simpsons S01E01 episode page
Full House S02E09: Our Very First Christmas Show
The Tanners end up spending Christmas at an airport. It's a cozy, very Full House take on a holiday that doesn't go to plan. Later in the run, A Very Tanner Christmas (S06E12) has Jesse planning a surprise for Rebecca, D.J. and Steve arguing, and Vicky surprising Danny.
Full House S02E09 episode page
Roseanne S06E12: White Trash Christmas
Roseanne and Dan snub the neighborhood association by putting up gaudy Christmas decorations, and they're furious when Becky gives the college money they gave her to Mark and takes a job as a waitress. Two seasons earlier, in Santa Claus (S04E12), Roseanne talks Leon into letting her play Santa at the mall and hears something she wishes she hadn't from one of the kids' mothers. Curious why Becky looks different in these two episodes? Here's why Roseanne had two Beckys.
The Middle S01E10: Christmas
Frankie is busy rehearsing a solo for her church's midnight Christmas mass, so Mike takes over setting up the Heck family Christmas. Frankie gets a little jealous when it seems he's doing a better job than she would have. The Middle went on to do a Christmas episode in most of its seasons, including The Christmas Wall (S06E09), where Frankie has finally had enough of hauling out the decorations.
The Middle S01E10 episode page
Everybody Loves Raymond S04E11: The Christmas Picture
Ray thinks he has found the perfect gift for his parents: a family photo they can treasure forever. Then picture day arrives, and Debra and Marie have very different ideas about who counts as "family" in a family photo. It's peak Everybody Loves Raymond.
Everybody Loves Raymond S04E11 episode page
Bob's Burgers S04E08: Christmas in the Car
After Linda accidentally kills the family tree, the Belchers head out on Christmas Day to find a new one. Bob cuts off a giant candy cane truck, and the family spends the holiday trying to outrun its driver. Back home, Teddy gets stuck in the kids' Santa trap. It's a great entry point to the many holiday episodes of Bob's Burgers.
Bob's Burgers S04E08 episode page
Family Guy S09E07: Road to the North Pole
Stewie loves Christmas, so he begs Brian to take him to the mall to tell Santa what he wants. When Santa brushes him off, Stewie and Brian travel to the North Pole to teach him a lesson. For an earlier Family Guy Christmas, try A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas (S03E16), where holiday chores keep Peter from watching his favorite special, "KISS Saves Santa", with the members of KISS voicing themselves.
Family Guy S09E07 episode page
Modern Family S03E10: Express Christmas
On a sunny December day at Jay and Gloria's pool, the family realizes everyone will be scattered on Christmas. So if they want to celebrate together, it has to be today. Everyone gets a job, from getting the tree to wrapping gifts, and the result is quite a sight. A clever twist on the holiday episode from Modern Family.
Modern Family S03E10 episode page
Malcolm in the Middle S03E07: Christmas
Lois tries to get the boys to behave until Christmas by holding their presents hostage, and Francis spends the holiday with his mean-spirited grandmother. Anyone who knows Malcolm in the Middle can guess how well the hostage plan works.
Malcolm in the Middle S03E07 episode page
Home Improvement S01E12: Yule Better Watch Out
Tim's push to win a Christmas decoration prize from a neighbor earns him a visit from the fire department, and Mark is told that Santa has died. Tim's decorating rivalry became a holiday tradition on Home Improvement, with more lights showdowns in later seasons, such as 'Twas the Blight Before Christmas (S03E12).
Home Improvement S01E12 episode page
Everybody Hates Chris S01E11: Everybody Hates Christmas
Rochelle and Julius don't have enough money to get Chris the new Walkman he wants. Meanwhile, Drew tells Tonya the truth about Santa Claus, which makes her question the other things her parents have told her.
Everybody Hates Chris S01E11 episode page
Boy Meets World S01E10: Santa's Little Helper
Shawn's father loses his job, and Cory vows that Shawn will have a Christmas gift this year. It's an early, heartfelt look at the friendship that anchors Boy Meets World. Later seasons added A Very Topanga Christmas (S05E11), where Topanga brings her own holiday traditions to the Matthews house.
Boy Meets World S01E10 episode page
The Wonder Years S02E03: Christmas
Kevin and Wayne try to convince their dad to buy a color TV for Christmas, while Kevin hunts for the perfect gift for Winnie. Few shows capture a family Christmas through a kid's eyes quite like The Wonder Years.
The Wonder Years S02E03 episode page
That '70s Show S01E12: The Best Christmas Ever
Red gives Eric $40 to buy a Christmas tree. Instead, Eric, Hyde and Kelso cut one down along the interstate and keep the money for beer and presents. Red is stuck working at the store on Christmas Eve, and Laurie spikes the punch at Eric's Christmas party.
That '70s Show S01E12 episode page
Black-ish S01E10: Black Santa / White Christmas
Dre campaigns to be the new Santa at the office Christmas party. When the honor goes to Angelica from HR, he goes to great lengths to unseat her, convinced Stevens & Lido needs a Black Santa. At home, Bow is tired of competing with Ruby over who cooks Christmas Eve dinner. A great first holiday episode for Black-ish.
The Goldbergs S03E10: A Christmas Story
Tired of her family's lack of enthusiasm during the holidays, Beverly invents "Super Hanukkah" to get them in the spirit, but it looks a lot like Christmas. Meanwhile, Adam triple-dog-dares Barry to stick his tongue on a frozen pole, and Adam's tongue gets stuck too. The title and that frozen-pole dare are a loving nod to the movie A Christmas Story, which suits The Goldbergs and its love of the 1980s.
The Goldbergs S03E10 episode page
Fresh Off the Boat S02E10: The Real Santa
Jessica loves the holidays but thinks Santa could use some improvements. So she and Louis convince Evan that Santa is a scientist with several graduate degrees from Princeton and a close relationship with his mother. Meanwhile, Eddie and Emery struggle to find the perfect gift for their mom.
Fresh Off the Boat S02E10 episode page
King of the Hill S05E08: 'Twas the Nut Before Christmas
Bill, battling holiday loneliness, starts answering letters to Santa from the post office's dead letter box and buying expensive gifts for random kids. Things go downhill from there. A bittersweet one from King of the Hill.
King of the Hill S05E08 episode page
Married... with Children S08E13: The Worst Noel
On Christmas Eve, Kelly and Bud try to sneak a jukebox in as a gift for their parents, who spend the whole episode in front of the TV arguing about how fast to change channels. Next door, Marcy and Jefferson throw a wild Christmas party and don't tell Al. The perfect antidote to sappy holiday TV.
Married... with Children S08E13 episode page
Classic TV Christmas episodes
For a vintage holiday block, these older family sitcoms still hold up:
- All in the Family S02E13: Christmas Day at the Bunkers'. Archie is the only one not in the Christmas spirit, and a visit from the Jeffersons, with Henry dressed as Santa, doesn't help.
- Happy Days S02E11: Guess Who's Coming to Christmas. Richie finds out Fonzie will be alone for the holiday and wants his family to invite him.
- The Brady Bunch S01E12: The Voice of Christmas. Carol loses her voice days before she's due to sing in church, and Cindy asks a mall Santa to bring it back.
- The Addams Family S02E15: Christmas with the Addams Family. When Wednesday and Pugsley's faith in Santa is shaken, Uncle Fester is chosen to stand in, and he gets stuck in the chimney.
- The Flintstones S05E15: Christmas Flintstone. Fred plays Santa at a department store so well that the elves recruit him when the real Santa gets sick.
- Family Ties S02E09: A Keaton Christmas Carol. A cynical Alex finds the Christmas spirit in a dream.
- Family Matters S02E13: Have Yourself a Very Winslow Christmas. A lonely Steve puts his fondest Christmas wish in a note to the Winslows.
How to plan a TV family Christmas marathon
- Start with the classics: The Simpsons S01E01, Full House and The Wonder Years.
- For the whole family: Boy Meets World, The Middle and The Brady Bunch.
- Animation night: The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, King of the Hill and The Flintstones.
- For anyone who's had enough of holiday cheer: Married... with Children, Malcolm in the Middle and Everybody Loves Raymond.
Browse all of our family shows for more seasons and episodes to add to your list.