15 best Christmas-themed TV episodes to watch this holiday season

Business Insider

• Every December, fans of popular TV shows look forward to rewatching their favorite Christmas-themed specials.
• Shows like NBC's "Friends," "The Office," and "Seinfeld" found success in holiday episodes that are cheerful and jolly.
• Other series such as Netflix's "Black Mirror," ABC's "Lost," and CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" drove the series' plots forward using moments of reflection or tragedy during the holidays.
• Some shows, like "Friends" and Fox's "The O.C.," also introduced Hanukkah celebrations into the mix.

While some TV shows successfully create new Christmas-themed specials every year, others have trouble topping beloved episodes from past seasons.

Shows like NBC's "Friends," "The Office," and "Seinfeld" have created cult-like followings for their lighthearted holiday segments. "Friends" and Fox's "The O.C." also had great holiday episodes that featured Hanukkah celebrations as well.

However, Christmas specials for Netflix's "Black Mirror," ABC's "Lost," and CBS's "How I Met Your Mother" grapple with tragedy and loss, evoking emotion during the holiday season.

Insider rounded up a list of the top 15 Christmas-themed episodes to watch. They are listed below in no particular order.