10 - Outnumbered Christmas Special 2011
This Christmas Special radiates ‘Brockmans.’ Full of the chaos and humour of the classic sitcom, this special is the perfect blend of Outnumbered’s authenticity, and festive fuss many families relate to.
9 - Grey’s Anatomy: Holidaze
This episode centres around chief Miranda Bailey and her monumental showdown with her father - pretty satisfying viewing…
8 - Criminal Minds: A Place at The Table
Not exactly a Christmas special but possibly the only episode of Criminal Minds to include remnants of festivity. We see a more vulnerable side to Chief Aaron Hotchner - something die hard fans will know is a rarity.
7 - The Royle Family: The New Sofa
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the many Christmas episodes of The Royle Family. Watching Dave and Denise hosting their own Christmas day is one of my favourite concepts ever.
6 - This Is Us: Last Christmas
A sudden case of appendicitis and a strong character link back to the pilot episode, this cyclical and emotional episode of This Is Us reminds us of what should be at the heart of Christmas. Not appendicitis…just tenderness.
5 - Outnumbered Christmas Special 2009
Back to the Brockmans, this Boxing Day special shows Karen Brockman in all her glory. “One day of niceness doesn’t make up for a thousand days of horribleness…” You’re not wrong, Karen.
4 - Miranda, It Was Panning
One of the greatest episodes of all time to air, Miranda tells us the best elements of Christmas: “The food, and the prezzies, and the food and the music and the food and the food and the fires, and the food…”
3 - The Royle Family: Barbara’s Old Ring
Speed dating, Dragon’s Den, and Jim’s unexpectedly sweet gift, this episode is not only hilarious but also carries a slightly different, more modern feel to the classic sitcom.
2 - Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special 2008
Presents wrapped in tin foil, Gwen’s downfall of picking a Bounty and Bryn’s mistletoe antics - it represents everything we love about Christmas!
And finally....
1 - Miranda, The Perfect Christmas
Finally, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without this precious gem. Including one of the funniest scenes involving some peanuts and Doctor Gale (!!!), this episode really does make ‘The Perfect Christmas.’