While “Friends” Thanksgiving episodes are well-known, I think the Christmas and New Year’s episodes are equally good. No matter which character you identify with, “Friends” brings laughs especially during the holidays. Check out my thoughts on these famous episodes!
10. “The One with the Girl from Poughkeepsie” (Season 4, Episode 10)
I ranked this episode last because it feels the least festive. However, there’s Christmas decorations in various locations and Phoebe sings her holiday song. In this episode, Ross is exhausted from traveling to meet a girl he met on the train. My favorite storyline is Chandler trying to set Rachel up with multiple guys and his Despite his good intentions, he keeps misinterpreting the situation.
9. “The One with Christmas in Tulsa” (Season 9, Episode 10)
Since this episode is mostly flashbacks, I did not rank it as high. During this episode, Chandler must spend Christmas in Oklahoma because of his job. While talking to his colleagues, he reminisces on past holidays and decides to let his employees go home early. At the end, Chandler comes back to New York and announces he quit the job.
8. “The One with the Inappropriate Sister” (Season 5, Episode 10)
Ross drives Joey and Chandler crazy when he moves in with them after his sabbatical. Meanwhile, Monica makes Rachel confront her crush on their neighbor Danny who has a strange relationship with his sister. The holiday-related storyline revolves around Phoebe. Although she’s initially excited to collect donations for Salvation Army, she learns that the gig is not so easy
7. “The One with Ross’ Step Forward” (Season 8, Episode 11)
Ross freaks out when his girlfriend suggests they send out holiday cards. In typical Ross fashion, he gives Mona his apartment key and tells her he loves her. Meanwhile, Chandler suffers through an awkward dinner with his boss after Monica chooses not to go. Phoebe helps Rachel deal with her pregnancy hormones as Joey starts to realize his feelings for Rachel.
6. “The One with the Holiday Armadillo” (Season 7, Episode 10)
When Ross’ son is spending the holidays with him, Ross wants to teach Ben about Hanukkah. Since he knows Ben loves Christmas, he wants to dress up as Santa too but shows up as an armadillo instead. Much to Ross’ disappointment, Chandler saves the day when he arrives as Santa. Additionally, Phoebe attempts to get Rachel to live with her again and move out of Joey’s place.
5. “The One Where Rachel Quits” (Season 3, Episode 10)
When Ross accidentally breaks a young girl’s leg, he helps her sell Christmas cookies for her Brown Bird troop. In the same episode, Phoebe is upset that Christmas trees are being cut down. Monica and Joey decide to have the trees sent to the apartment. This a milestone episode for Rachel who finally leaves the Central Perk and lands a job in fashion.
4. “The One with Phoebe’s Dad” (Season 2, Episode 9)
During this episode, Monica and Rachel host a Christmas party with a summer theme because their heat is leaking. The girls learn that no one wants their holiday cookies either. One of the funniest moments is when Joey and Chandler give out their Christmas presents. They picked random items at a gas station when accompanying Phoebe in finding her dad.
3. “The One with the Monkey” (Season 1, Episode 10)
In the beginning, the group is introduced to Ross’ monkey named Marcel. Simultaneously, Chandler makes everyone agree not to have dates for New Year’s Eve. While everyone but Ross breaks the promise, they all remain single by the end of the night. Since their dates did not work out, the friends are miserable at midnight which shows the hype of New Year’s plans.
2. “The One with the Routine” (Season 6, Episode 10)
The highlight of this episode is Ross and Monica at a taping for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” They hilariously perform an old routine with cringeworthy dancing. Wanting to date his roommate, Joey is determined to kiss Janine at midnight and has some embarrassing moments at the New Year’s Eve special. Back at the apartment, Chandler tries to stop Phoebe and Rachel from opening Christmas gifts.
1. “The One with All the Resolutions” (Season 5, Episode 11)
This episode is ranked No. 1 because it’s so funny watching the characters struggle with their resolutions. While Chandler tries not to make fun of people, Phoebe teaches Joey to play guitar with little success. Rachel decides to stop gossiping but then learns about Chandler and Monica. “Friends” fans cannot forget the scene where Ross gets stuck in leather pants as part of his commitment to try something new every day.
You can watch “Friends” on HBO Max or during TBS and Nickelodeon’s marathons. So grab some hot chocolate and snacks to watch it over break!