Ranking All the ‘Friends’ Holiday Episodes
Photo courtesy of NBC.
I have been waiting all year to write this piece. If you know me, you know that Friends is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. If you don’t know me, well, now you know that Friends is one of my favorite shows. Every episode is iconic but it’s the Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes that take the cake. But, today, I’ll be ranking the Christmas episodes. Let’s pivot right into this! See what I did there?
Here are the Christmas episodes ranked.
9. Season 8, Episode 11: The One With Ross’ Step Forward
This episode also know as The One With the Creepy Holiday Card is the worst and it’s not just the worst Christmas episode. It’s one of the worst episodes of the show. Ross (David Schwimmer) is my least favorite character and this episode just proves why. His girlfriend, Mona (Bonnie Somerville), is curious to know what their future is going to look like and Ross makes the situation cringey and irritating.
It’s too bad because I liked Mona.
8. Season 1, Episode 10: The One With the Monkey
Here we go with Ross again. For some reason, he decides to get a monkey named Marcel. I always thought the monkey storyline was incredibly weird. This is a New Years themed episode which has all the friends making a pact to not bring any dates to their New Years Eve party. As the holiday grows closer, the friends grow closer to breaking that promise.
7. Season 5, Episode 10: The One With the Inappropriate Sister
Let’s just say that this episode is problematic considering that Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) is dating a guy who has a questionable relationship with his sister which can be disturbing to viewers now. It’s just one of those episodes that don’t really stick out in my mind.
6. Season 2, Episode 9: The One With Phoebe’s Dad
This is a sweet episode where Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) finds a picture of her “father” and sets off to find more about him. There’s a Christmas party going on at the apartment but the heater breaks which has the guests in agony during the middle of winter.
5. Season 9, Episode 10: The One With Christmas In Tulsa
Chandler (Matthew Perry) is forced to stay in Tulsa for Christmas and Monica (Courteney Cox) grows worried since he will be there with an attractive colleague named Wendy (Selma Blair). There are funny moments in this episode and flashbacks which are a staple in Friends.
4. Season 4, Episode 10: The One With the Girl From Poughkeepsie
There are many shenanigans that go on in this episode. Chandler sets Rachel up on a date and Monica ends up hiring Joey (Matt LeBlanc) to work for her at the restaurant in order to get the staff to like her. One of Chandler’s most iconic lines is in this episode.
3. Season 3, Episode 10: The One Where Rachel Quits
Rachel ends up quitting Central Perk but wonders if she’ll find another job. Joey’s selling Christmas trees which worries Phoebe. Ross ends up breaking a little girl’s leg. As funny as it is, it’s also heartwarming to see Rachel start another chapter in her life.
2. Season 6, Episode 10: The One With the Routine
Okay, we’re getting into icon territory here. This isn’t a Christmas episode but I count it as a holiday episode. Janine (Elle Macpherson) is offered to dance as a background dancer on Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve which has Ross and Monica jumping for joy. Needless to say that the routine is so iconic and hilarious. The only thing I didn’t like was the whole Joey and Janine romantic storyline. I didn’t hate her but I didn’t love her either.
1. Season 7, Episode 10: The One With the Holiday Armadillo
Drum roll please. The winner is…The One With the Holiday Armadillo! This episode just has so many hilariously iconic scenes and is full of holiday spirit. I do wish we got to see more of the Gellers celebrating their Jewish roots. Ross tries to teach his son Ben (Cole Sprouse) about Hanukkah but all the Santa costumes are out of stock so why not be the Holiday Armadillo instead?
Time to Wrap It Up
Well, that’s about it for this one. If you’re need of some holiday cheer and friends for the season, if you put any of these episode on, I guarantee there will be a big smile on your face.
Thank you so much for reading!
