A Definitive Ranking of All the ‘Friends’ Christmas Episodes
You can probably already guess the winner.
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When it comes to holiday episodes, you know that Friends will be there for you. And while the feel-good sitcom may be best known for its epic Thanksgiving episodes, we've also gotta talk about all the incredible Friends Christmas episodes that aired over its 10-season run. From Phoebe's holiday song to Ross and Monica's dance routine to the battle between Santa and the Holiday Armadillo, bingeing all the Friends holiday episodes is as essential as rewatching all your fave Christmas movies...but ofc, not all the episodes are created equal. And that's where we come in.
If you're too busy shopping for Christmas gifts to watch all 11 holiday episodes (yep, even though season 10 didn't have a holiday special, a couple of seasons gifted us with more than one), then our official Friends Christmas episode ranking will help ya decide which ones are worth the watch—and no, this list is not up for debate. With guest stars, Christmas cheer, and quotable moments aplenty, we present to you all the Friends holiday episodes, ranking from worst (sry) to the very best...though tbh, if you're a Friends fan, then you can probs already guess the winner.
"The One With Christmas in Tulsa" (Season 9, Episode 10)
Fact: While clip show episodes are ~nostalgic~ and fun, they're also inherently lazy. In this one, Chandler is stuck working on Christmas in Tulsa, all while avoiding advances from his hot coworker (played by Selma Blair) and reminiscing on Christmases past. The ending is sweet, but overall, the episode is pretty meh.
"The One With the Inappropriate Sister" (Season 5, Episode 10)
While this one is big on laughs, it won't exactly get ya in the Christmas spirit. The episode revolves around Phoebe's new gig collecting money for the Salvation Army in front of Macy's while Rachel tries to determine whether her new boo Danny is a lil too close to his sister. Tbh, it barely feels like a holiday episode, which is why it ranks so low on our list.
"The One With the Ross's Step Forward" (Season 8, Episode 11)
Otherwise known as "The One With the Creepy Holiday Card," this infuriating episode shows Ross failing (yet again) to say how he really feels, leading to a joint Christmas card with a very new girlfriend. Big yikes. At least pregnant Rachel's hormonal and horny storyline is fun.
"The One With the Monkey" (Season 1, Episode 10)
If you hated Marcel the monkey as much as David Schwimmer apparently did, then you know why this episode gets a thumbs down from us. Set during the days before New Year's Eve, the first-ever Friends holiday episode follows the gang's decision to create a no-date pact for the occasion (which, ofc, doesn't last). It's not the best, but it's not the worst, either.
"The One With All the Candy" (Season 7, Episode 9)
We're just going to say it: The premise of this episode (Monica bakes holiday sweets for her neighbors, who in turn get addicted and keep demanding more) just isn't that funny. However! It's undeniably adorable when Ross buys Phoebe her first bike, allowing her to finally learn how to ride one...with training wheels, at least. Aww.
"The One Where Rachel Quits" (Season 3, Episode 10)
While this episode largely revolves around Rachel finally quitting her Central Perk waitressing job, it also has two v heart-warming holiday side plots: Ross helping an injured "Brown Bird" sell her cookies after accidentally breaking her leg, and Joey rescuing old trees from a local Christmas tree farm to surprise Phoebe. We love feel-good fun!!
"The One With All the Resolutions" (Season 5, Episode 11)
Okay, ya, it's technically a New Year's Eve episode, but this one is too good not to include. In it, the gang decides to challenge themselves with New Year's Resolutions, with Ross agreeing to try one new thing everyday. We don't blame you if this episode turned you off from leather pants forever.
"The One With the Girl From Poughkeepsie" (Season 4, Episode 10)
Admittedly, this one isn't the most merry, with Monica failing to earn the respect of her employees, Rachel butchering a first date with Chandler's coworker, and Ross falling asleep on a train to Poughkeepsie and accidentally winding up in Montreal. But what makes the episode so iconic is Phoebe's holiday song, with lines like, “Monica, Monica, have a happy Hanukkah,” and “Please tell Joey, Christmas will be snowy!”
"The One With Phoebe's Dad" (Season 2, Episode 9)
In the mood for a happy cry? Then you've gotta watch this episode, which follows Phoebe as she takes a road trip with Joey and Chandler to confront her estranged father in upstate New York. She ends up losing her nerve outside of his house, but the episode ends on a high note with a tropical holiday party and gas station gift exchange.
"The One With the Routine" (Season 6, Episode 10)
Again, this one is technically a New Year's Eve episode, but c'mon. We HAD to include it. In it, Monica, Ross, and Joey manage to score an invite onto the set of Dick Clark’s Rockin' New Year's Eve as background dancers, and hilarity ensues. The side plot of Rachel and Phoebe hunting for Monica's hidden Christmas presents is whatever, but the real highlight of the episode is Monica and Ross' notorious dance routine.
"The One With the Holiday Armadillo" (Season 7, Episode 10)
Yep, this one's the obvious choice for the top spot, but it really earned its place. The episode follows Ross as he attempts to teach his Christmas-obsessed son about the joys of Hanukkah, and a shortage at the costume store leads to him introducing everyone to the "Holiday Armadillo." Could this episode BE more iconic??
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