[image error]

Newsflash: I love The Office. Long before I even had an office job, I loved The Office. (In fact, it’s possible I loved it more before I had an office job. Things that I thought were outrageous and fantastical are now too real.)

I rewatch the entire series every year…except this year. With less free time during my day—and the fact that I now live in a household with actual live TV—I didn’t do my yearly tradition. To keep the show top of mind, and keep myself primed for any Office pub trivias, I’ve started a new tradition of watching all the Halloween episodes around Halloween and, arguably more famous, all the Christmas episodes around the holidays.

Your Christmas gift from me, the self-proclaimed aficionado, is this list ranking all my favorite Christmas episodes, counting down to my favorite of all time! Now officially you’ll have the answers to your burning questions about my favorite episodes and, as a bonus, you’ll have quick reference to which episodes count if you want to adopt this tradition for yourself.

So dust off your dvds (or your Netflix account), mix yourself a Nog-a-sake (season 3, not offensive), and make sure that YouTube comes down to tape this.

The Office Christmas Episode Countdown Rundown
#7) s5 e11 – “Moroccan Christmas”

In my opinion, Season 5 was the strongest season of The Office. You had the Michael Scott Paper Company arc, one of the greatest season openers of all time, the infamous Superbowl special 2-parter, Idris Elba, and probably the most tension-filled episode of not just The Office, but television in general (The Steve Carell-directed “Broke”).

Unfortunately, it also had the weakest Christmas episode. Lots of gold in this one still—Andy on the sitar, Stanley’s Lewis Black-esque rant about holiday parties—but the downer main plot of taking Meredith to rehab for alcohol addiction slows down the laughs. Also, the “Princess Unicorn” stuff is one of my favorite Office references.

[image error]

#6) s9, e9 – “Dwight Christmas”

The final Christmas episode of The Office will always have a special place in my heart. Yes, it’s post-Michael Scott and, yes, it’s hard to find an Office fan that has seen the last season, but “Dwight Christmas” is a worthy send-off. We see a very passionate Dwight excited to share his Christmas traditions with his best frenemy, Jim, in an episode that delivers the laughs, the feels, and will have you deeming people “impish” or “admirable” for weeks beyond the holiday.

#5) s7 e11,12 – “Classy Christmas”

Speaking of send-offs, “Classy Christmas” is a special two-part episode and Michael Scott’s last Dunder-Mifflin holiday party. This one is special for two reasons. One, because we see the return of Holly Flax, Michael’s once-and-future lover, to Scranton. Two, because this episode is so perfect in terms of characterization. One of the great things about the later seasons is that the characters are so thoroughly conceived. I think it would almost be hard to write for this show at this stage since a single nod at the camera could replace, like, six jokes. Example: the episode starts with everyone telling Michael (in Santa garb) that everything’s good in their lives. For once, it seems there will be no holiday drama. The look on Michael’s face as he realizes this is priceless.

Plus! this episode has the infamous snowball war between Jim and Dwight, where we learn “the greatest snowball isn’t a snowball at all: it’s fear.”

[image error]

[image error]

#4) s3 e10 – “A Benihana Christmas”

Like most episodes of The Office, this one really tows the line of racial tension, but it’s too charming to miss. Michael Scott, devastated by his break-up with Carol—Carell’s real life wife and SNL alum Nancy (Walls) Carell—takes his boys to Benihana for some food-and-drink therapy. A few too many “Nog-a-sakes” (see?!) leads to Michael and Andy bringing a couple waitresses back to the office party. Michael loses track of which one he’s supposed to be with, and ultimately marks her with a Sharpie. A lot of uncomfortable laughs and one of those great/rare moments between Jim and Michael where they appear to be true friends.

[image error]

#3) s2 e10 – “Christmas Party”

The OG Christmas episode, it should almost be #1 just for that. Michael Scott, still trying to strike a balance between s1’s asshole boss and the lovable dope he becomes, nearly ruins the Christmas party when he buys a too-expensive gift for his Secret Santa. It turns into a game of “Yankee Swap” where Jim’s love letter-stuffed gift to Pam nearly ends up in the clutches of Dwight. (This moment ultimately ends up being a major player in the series finale.)

[image error]

#2) s8, e10 – “Christmas Wishes”

This one almost took first, but the absence of Michael Scott cannot be denied! However, “Christmas Wishes” is a hilariously genius episode where we see new boss Andy scolding Jim and Dwight for their constant one-upsmanship. In order to give them consequences, Andy promises the next pranker will lose their holiday bonus to the prankee. It’s almost an 8-year punchline as we see Jim and Dwight trying to reverse-prank themselves in order to steal the others’ bonus.

Bonus highlights: a monster Dwight/Creed/Nate/Gabe rock-out to Carol of the Bells, a very well-portrayed fallout between Andy and Erin, and Robert California being Robert California.

#1) s6 e13 – “Secret Santa”

An episode so funny even the cast can’t stop laughing. Jim finally grants Phyllis her wish of being the office Santa. This is news to Michael Scott, who also dresses up as Santa, and in a scene that mirrors the last presidential election—and, well, all of 2017 really—we see an arrogant, embarrassed businessman trying to steal a role belonging to a woman. But the Scranton branch has spoken: Phyllis is the official pick. Michael handles this pretty well…by changing his Santa costume into a Jesus costume, to remind everyone the true meaning of Christmas: pride.

This is the quintessential episode of The Office. All the characters and inside jokes are on point, and the discomfort level is only rivaled by the final scenes of season 3’s “Gay Witch Hunt.” For an Easter egg, watch the background of the scene where Kevin sits on Michael’s lap and drink every time you notice one of the actors nearly lose it, SNL-style.

Final Thoughts

Rewatching the Christmas episodes was 100x more rewarding than watching the Halloweens. The writers really brought the warm fuzzies to the party, as well as some of the best jokes. It was also interesting to see that nearly every holiday episode featured Angela as both villain and victim. She’s almost the Scrooge of these episodes. Right off the bat in season 2, she’s brought to tears as her party-planning is overlooked and undermined—and slapped in the face when Kelly kisses Dwight. Season 3 sees her teamed up against by Pam and Karen throwing a rival party to spite her. Season 5 she’s blackmailed by Phyllis into doing humiliating chores, Cinderella-style.

I wondered as I watched if this was done purposely as a motif, or if it was just natural for the character within each season’s arc. With each rewatch I like to take the entire show into context of one character. Last time, I was watching for the story of Angela and now see her as one of the most tragic characters on the whole show. Truly! Go back and watch right now and tell me I’m wrong!

[image error]

This time around, I’ll be watching for Kevin.

In the words of Jim Halpert: there it is. Thanks for letting me wax poetic about my favorite TV show for a bit. It’s one of the few fictional obsessions I have that isn’t animated, doesn’t contain spaceships, and isn’t driven by the sales of toy robots.

Happy Holidays!

[image error]