The Best Cold-Weather Sitcom Episodes

By Lauren Hotchkiss

Edited by Taylor Morgan

katherine / @KatherineKarasevych on Pinterest

Sitcoms are great any time of the year, but something extra special about them is how they align with popular holidays. Many have ongoing episode themes that follow holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, so they are even better to start watching during the colder months. Here is a must-watch list of sitcom episodes perfect for this time of year.

“Friends,” Season 6 Episode 9, “The One Where Ross Got High”

“Friends” Thanksgiving episodes are iconic in general, but this one may be the very best. Many memorable moments will make you laugh, like Ross and Monica telling their parents secrets from their childhood and current lives, too, and Rachel’s infamous trifle recipe mishap. It’s a hilarious episode that is a necessary rewatch every year. You might as well rewatch all the “Friends” Thanksgiving episodes, though, they are just that good.

“Brooklyn 99” Halloween Episodes

The “Brooklyn 99” Halloween episodes are my personal favorite in the show, due to the rivalry between Jake and Captain Holt. There are frequent twists and turns during these episodes, and they always provide a laugh. There is one in each season of the show, and they could be a rewatch on their own.

“How I Met Your Mother,” Season 2 Episode 9, “Slap Bet” and “How I Met Your Mother,” Season 3 Episode 9, “Slapsgiving”

The ongoing “Slap Bet” in “How I Met Your Mother” is my absolute favorite part of the show. This episode is where it starts, and it is the best rewatch during Halloween. This continues into Season 3 with a Thanksgiving episode that is just as good, and sets up the rest of the show for a great running joke.

“New Girl,” Season 1 Episode 6, “Thanksgiving”

“New Girl” is one of the funniest shows, no matter the episode, but this one is extra special because of how perfectly each character is portrayed. Jess is overenthusiastic when trying to plan an entire Thanksgiving dinner to impress Paul Genzlinger, the music teacher at her school. Nick can barely stand Paul, which makes for funny commentary, while Winston actually ends up liking the guy. Schmidt takes complete control over cooking dinner, giving Cece the perfect opportunity to mess with him. It’s a must-watch.

“The Office,” Season 2, Episode 10, “Christmas Party”

Even though Christmas is further away than the other holidays portrayed in this list, this episode is too good not to include. Michael runs a Secret Santa that creates chaos around the office and is classic for his character. It’s also a memorable episode for Jim and Pam, placing hope in their relationship after Jim’s thoughtful gift.