With all of the craziness going on in the world today, you may have almost forgotten that 'tis the holiday season, and Christmas is only a week away.
It's never too early or too late to get into the holiday spirit, and the best way to do that is to pop open Netflix and stream some Christmas-y goodness. You'll find your fill of Christmas movies and specials on Instant Streaming, but of course we all know that Christmas-themed TV episodes are actually where it's at.
Pretty much every TV show has at least one episode dedicated to the holidays, so it can be quite overwhelming to navigate the annals of Netflix's TV collection. Lucky for you, I've rounded up the 12 very best Christmas episodes of TV shows available to stream on Netflix right now so you can bake some cookies, grab a mug of eggnog and let the Christmas cheer waft over you.
1. 30 Rock - "Ludachristmas" (Season 2, Episode 9)
This Season 2 episode of 30 Rock was one of the first to feature Jack Donaghy's mother Colleen played by the late Elaine Stritch. It's worth it to watch this episode just to bask in her brilliance.
2. Family Guy - "A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas" (Season 3, Episode 16)
Nothing is better than a Lois freakout, and we get the mother of them all when Christmas becomes even more stressful than usual for the Griffin matriarch.
3. That '70s Show - "The Best Christmas Ever" (Season 1, Episode 12)
Beer and spiked punch are the real stars of this Christmas-themed installment of That '70s Show. As they should be.
4. Lost - "The Constant" (Season 4, Episode 5)
Lost isn't really the kind of show that is big on holiday episodes, but "The Constant," which is also one of the best episodes of the series, is one big exception. For a show so full of mystery, Lost really does know how to warm your heart.
5. The Office (U.K.) - "Christmas Special Part 1 and 2" (Season 2, Episodes 7 and 8)
Reunions, romance and rump shaking. What more do you need in a Christmas special?
6. The Office (U.S.) - "Christmas Party" (Season 2, Episode 10)
The Dunder Mifflin gang knows how to throw a mean party for any occasion, and Christmas is no exception. Plus, this episode introduced me to the idea of a "Yankee Gift Swap," which is cruel to be a part of but so much fun to watch.
7. Parks and Recreation - "Citizen Knope" (Season 4, Episode 10)
If the end of this episode doesn't give you the warm and fuzzies, I don't know what will.
8. Futurama - "Xmas Story" (Season 2, Episode 8)
Evil robotic Santa Claus is the worst.
9. Arrested Development - "Afternoon Delight" (Season 2, Episode 6)
There's always drama at office holiday parties, especially when Gob fires the entire staff of the Bluth Company. Merry Christmas!
10. The Andy Griffith Show - "Christmas Story" (Season 1, Episode 11)
Sometimes, a Christmas in jail can actually be the best Christmas. But only if you live in Mayberry, obviously.
11. Mad Men - "Christmas Comes but Once a Year" (Season 4, Episode 2)
The show's usual drinking, affairs and a creepy Glen Bishop get a festive twist in this Christmas episode of Mad Men.
12. The Twilight Zone - "Night of the Meek" (Season 2, Episode 11)
The Honeymooners' Art Carney is a far cry from his classic character Ed as a drunken Santa Claus in this Christmas-themed Twilight Zone episode. However, he gets redeemed when he gives gifts to the needy from a magical bag with a never-ending supply of presents.
