When it comes to universally beloved television shows, ‘Friends’ invariably secures a top spot. This top-rated sitcom is acclaimed for its characters and complex relationships, helping to launch the careers of celebrities like Jennifer Anniston and Courteney Cox. It has also become a part of many friend and family traditions with its holiday-themed episodes.
With all the power of Red Ross, here is every Friends Christmas episode in order, along with our best picks and favorite moments. Grab some hot chocolate and a candy cane and get cozy for this trip to New York City near the millennium.
How many Christmas episodes are there in ‘Friends’?
Table of Contents
Though Friends is renowned for its holiday episodes, specifically those related to Christmas, it does not have a Christmas-centric episode every season. However, the series features Christmas themes or elements in numerous episodes throughout its ten-season run. The most prominent include Season 1’s “The One with the Monkey”, Season 2’s “The One with Phoebe’s Dad,” and Season 7’s “The One with the Holiday Armadillo.”
Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Rachel (Jennifer Anniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Joey (Matt Leblanc), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Ross (David Schwimmer) are a truly unique and lovable bunch. Their knack for finding themselves in peculiar situations is a constant source of laughter and amusem*nt for us.
When you add the magic of the holiday season, the hilarity and heartwarming moments are taken to a whole new level, offering ideal seasonal entertainment. Without further ado, enjoy the gift of our Friends Christmas list!
Season 1, Episode 10: “The One with the Monkey”
This episode is significant for introducing Marcel, Ross’s pet monkey. The gang convenes for a New Year’s Eve party, yet the spotlight shifts to a smaller primate.
The episode features a “no date” holiday party where most of the attendees end up being couples. The writers successfully incorporated the holiday spirit into the character arcs, providing a Christmas backdrop to pivotal life decisions.
Season 2, Episode 9: “The One with Phoebe’s Dad”
In this Christmas-themed installment of the beloved TV series, we see Phoebe embarking on a quest to uncover the identity of her biological father. Her festive agenda takes her to upstate New York, with Chandler and Joey joining her.
This is an emotionally charged adventure full of silly, heartwarming, and awkward comedy. It also showcases Monica’s decision to express her appreciation for service workers by gifting them with cookies instead of traditional tips.
One special moment from this episode comes when the friends exchange gifts purchased from a gas station at the last minute. It’s a gift exchange that proves that having friends and family to spend time with is the true magic of the holidays.
Season 3, Episode 10: “The One Where Rachel Quits”
Rachel’s foray into unemployment commenced following her impromptu departure from Central Perk. While she initially felt invigorated by the change, her enthusiasm quickly gave way to mounting concerns about her financial prospects, particularly in the midst of the holiday season.
In contrast, Joey recently secured a fresh employment opportunity as a tree salesman, a development that left Phoebe less than thrilled.
Meanwhile Ross accidentally breaks the leg of a girl scout (played by Mae Whitman) and ends up helping her sell Brown Bird Cookies.
Season 4, Episode 10: “The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie”
What lies in Poughkeepsie? The potential love interest of Ross! We witness his internal struggle regarding embarking on a long-distance relationship, while Rachel, prompted by Chandler, goes on a date with a complete stranger.
Meanwhile, Phoebe starts penning her now-infamous yet not-so-catchy Christmas song. The holiday song explores her relationships with her friends (and their patience with her).
Season 5, Episode 10: “The One with the Inappropriate Sister”
Rachel believed her relationship with her boyfriend, Danny, was on solid ground, that was until she crossed paths with his sister. Danny’s unusually close bond with his sibling came as quite a surprise. It appears that this holiday season has become a time for unexpected separations!
Season 6, Episode 10: “The One with the Routine”
In this episode, Monica and Ross demonstrate their remarkable sibling synergy as they embark on a mission to recreate their iconic high school dance performance for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve special.
Season 7, Episode 10: “The One with the Holiday Armadillo”
Phoebe longs for the days when she and Rachel were roommates, and she’s determined to persuade Rachel not to leave their shared apartment to live with Joey. Monica is elbow-deep in the process of making homemade candy for her neighbors.
Meanwhile, Ross embarks on a unique mission to win over his son by donning the guise of a Hanukkah armadillo.
Season 8, Episode 11: “The One with Ross’ Step Forward”
Ross’ girlfriend (played by Bonnie Somerville) is ready to take their relationship to the next level by sending out a Christmas card featuring both of their faces on the cover. But Ross, despite the fact that Rachel is carrying his child, is not quite as enthusiastic about the idea.
This episode delves into the intricacies of the fan-beloved couple of Ross and Rachel, whose friendship is able to overcome all thedrama of the group’s shenanigans.
Season 9, Episode 10: “The One with Christmas in Tulsa”
The fact that Chandler won’t be celebrating Christmas in New York with Monica is disappointing enough. To make matters worse, he’ll be in Tulsa, keeping company with a coworker whom Monica finds excessively attractive!
Quick summary
- This article celebrates the joy of Christmas-themed TV episodes and spotlights “Friends” as a top choice for holiday entertainment.
- “Friends” is renowned for its Thanksgiving episodes, but its Christmas episodes are equally beloved for the mix of humor and heartwarming moments.
- This article introduces the unique and lovable “Friends” characters and their knack for finding themselves in amusing situations.
- It provides a snapshot of eight Christmas episodes from different seasons, with brief descriptions of the plots and memorable moments.
- It invites readers to enjoy these holiday episodes and suggests having delicious Christmas snacks on hand for a perfect viewing experience.
- We hope you enjoyed this delightful guide to binge-watching the show’s iconic Christmas episodes and relishing the holiday spirit with Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler, and Ross.
The show’s 10-season run captivated viewers across multiple generations, inspiring everything from inside jokes to custom holiday cards to themed parties, to memes made from screengrabs and clips. There have been many festive moments across all 236 episodes, this was just our way of sharing some of our favorites.
If you need more holiday fun with friends, check out our list of every ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving episode. As one of the top-ranking sitcoms in TV history, ‘Friends’ will be there for you, because you’re there for it too.
Micajah McGregor( Editor in Chief/ Managing Partner )
Micajah McGregor, Editor in Chief of FanFest.com and renowned entertainment journalist, graduated from USC with a focus on Journalism and Film Studies. With an MBA from The Wharton School, he began his career at “PopCulture Pulse” and has been instrumental in shaping FanFest into a prime entertainment news source. Known for his financial analysis of celebrity net worths, Micajah received the ‘Digital Editor of the Year’ award in 2018. He’s also an active blogger, sharing his passion for superhero films and ’90s TV. Contact him at [emailprotected] for engaging entertainment insights.
Related Posts:
QUIZ: Reliving the Dead: ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 1 Episode 2 (Because Everyone Remembers Episode 1)QUIZ: Can You Identify the Season of ‘The Walking Dead’ From Just a Picture?
