The Definitive List: Ranking All 7 Christmas Episodes Of The Office (Plus Fresh Behind-The-Scenes Trivia)
The holiday season simply isn't complete without a marathon of Dunder Mifflin's most chaotic, heartwarming, and cringe-inducing Christmas celebrations. The American version of The Office gifted fans seven distinct holiday specials over its nine-season run, each perfectly capturing the awkward reality of forced office cheer, terrible Secret Santa gifts, and Michael Scott's relentless need to be the center of attention. As of late December 2025, these episodes remain a staple of festive viewing, sparking endless debate among fans about which one truly deserves the title of 'Best Office Christmas.'
This listicle not only ranks every single Christmas episode from the beloved NBC sitcom but also dives deep into the newest, most unique behind-the-scenes facts—many revealed by Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) on the Office Ladies podcast—to give you a fresh perspective on these holiday classics. Get ready to revisit Yankee Swap, Schrute-style Christmas traditions, and the legendary Benihana mix-up.
The Complete Dunder Mifflin Christmas Episode Guide
From the iconic Season 2 classic to the final, heartfelt Season 9 farewell, The Office consistently delivered holiday episodes that mixed high-stakes drama with low-stakes office party planning. Here is the full list of every Christmas episode, ranked from the least festive (but still hilarious) to the absolute best.
Christmas Wishes (Season 8, Episode 10)
Original Air Date: December 8, 2011
The first Christmas episode in the post-Michael Scott era, "Christmas Wishes" sees Andy Bernard trying desperately to be the fun boss. The plot centers on Andy granting everyone's Christmas wishes to avoid being the subject of a prank, while Erin drinks too much and struggles with her feelings for Andy. While still funny, Michael's absence is keenly felt, and the episode’s energy is a bit lower than its predecessors. It serves as a necessary transition, but it lacks the core heart of the earlier seasons.
Dwight Christmas (Season 9, Episode 9)
Original Air Date: December 6, 2012
The final Christmas installment of the series. When the Party Planning Committee (PPC) forgets to plan the party, Dwight steps in to host a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas celebration, complete with Belsnickel—a scary, fur-clad companion of St. Nicholas who judges who is "naughty or nice." The episode is a great vehicle for Dwight’s unique brand of insanity and provides a sweet moment between Jim and Pam, but the Belsnickel concept is so bizarre it often overshadows the office dynamics.
Secret Santa (Season 6, Episode 13)
Original Air Date: December 10, 2009
This episode is a strong entry, mainly for Michael's reaction to Phyllis being chosen as the office Santa over him. Michael's jealousy leads to a hilarious, yet ultimately sweet, meltdown where he tries to undermine the party by dressing up as Jesus. The core drama revolves around the Dunder Mifflin buyout and the possibility of layoffs, which grounds the episode in the show’s reality. The highlight is the sight of Michael, wearing a makeshift beard and robe, being carried out by the security guard.
Moroccan Christmas (Season 5, Episode 11)
Original Air Date: December 11, 2008
Angela hosts a Moroccan-themed party, but the episode's most memorable moments are found in the side plots. Dwight buys all the most popular Christmas toys to sell at an inflated price, leading to a hilarious confrontation. More importantly, Meredith gets drunk and her hair catches fire, prompting an intervention from Michael. This episode is a great example of The Office tackling a serious topic (alcoholism) with its signature blend of absurdity and surprising care.
Classy Christmas (Season 7, Episodes 11 & 12)
Original Air Date: December 9, 2010
This is Michael Scott’s final Christmas episode, and it’s a double-length special. Michael throws a "Classy Christmas" party to impress his ex-girlfriend Holly Flax, who is visiting the branch. The central tension is the rivalry between Michael and Holly's new boyfriend. The episode features the iconic moment where Jim gets brutally hit with a snowball by Dwight, escalating their prank war to a new, intense level. It’s a perfect blend of Michael's romantic desperation and the escalating absurdity of the Jim/Dwight rivalry.
A Benihana Christmas (Season 3, Episodes 10 & 11)
Original Air Date: December 7, 2006
This two-part special is a masterpiece of parallel storylines. After a devastating breakup with Carol, Michael, Andy, Jim, and Dwight go to Benihana. Simultaneously, back at the office, the PPC splits into two rival parties: Angela's traditional "Nutcracker Christmas" and Pam and Karen's more fun "Margarita Christmas." The episode is a tour de force for Michael's bizarre coping mechanisms, culminating in him bringing two Benihana waitresses back to the office, only to be unable to tell them apart.
Christmas Party (Season 2, Episode 10)
Original Air Date: December 6, 2005
Widely considered the best Christmas episode, "Christmas Party" is a perfect encapsulation of early The Office. Michael ruins the Secret Santa exchange by turning it into a "Yankee Swap" (White Elephant) after receiving a handmade oven mitt from Phyllis instead of the expensive video iPod he wanted. The episode is a masterclass in escalating comedy, but its true heart lies in the Jim and Pam storyline, where Jim gives Pam the legendary teapot with a note inside. This episode is the gold standard for Dunder Mifflin holiday chaos.
Fresh, Must-Know Behind-The-Scenes Trivia From The Cast
While you may have watched these episodes dozens of times, the cast and crew continue to reveal new, fascinating facts about their production. Here are some of the most recent and unique pieces of trivia, many of which provide crucial context for some of the show's most famous moments.
The Teapot Note Mystery Finally Solved
The Season 2 episode "Christmas Party" is famous for the teapot Jim gives Pam, which contains several inside jokes and a crucial, unread note. For years, fans speculated about the note's contents. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey confirmed on the Office Ladies podcast that the note's actual text was kept a secret from the audience and even from John Krasinski (Jim) until the final season.
- The Secret Revealed (Sort Of): When Pam finally reads the note in the final season episode "A.A.R.M.," the camera doesn't show the text. Jenna Fischer revealed that the note contained a personal, heartfelt message from John Krasinski to her, specifically about their journey playing Jim and Pam, which was kept private to elicit a genuine emotional reaction on camera.
- The Teapot's Fate: The teapot itself was a major prop. Pam initially trades it away during the Yankee Swap, but Jim eventually buys it back from Dwight, ensuring the gift—and the note—stays with her.
The Infamous Benihana Waitress Casting Controversy
"A Benihana Christmas" features Michael going to the restaurant and leaving with a waitress, but the main joke—that he can't distinguish between the two Asian waitresses he invites back to the office—is famously awkward.
- A Failed Joke: Showrunner Greg Daniels later admitted at a Paley Fest that the joke failed due to poor casting. The writers intended for the two waitresses to be dressed in identical outfits and hairstyles to make the joke work visually, but the casting department hired two actresses who looked distinctively different.
- The Director's Intent: The joke's intention was to highlight Michael's oblivious, cringe-worthy ignorance, but the visual execution made the joke land poorly, something the show’s creative team regretted.
The Unexpected Origins of Dwight's Belsnickel
The Season 9 episode "Dwight Christmas" introduced the bizarre Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas character Belsnickel, a figure Dwight embodies to judge the office staff. This was a deep-cut reference that surprised many viewers.
- A Writer's Personal Tradition: The concept of Belsnickel was brought to the writer's room by writer Owen Ellickson, who grew up with the tradition in Pennsylvania. The showrunners loved the obscure, regional nature of the character, as it perfectly fit Dwight's eccentric personality and heritage.
- The Costume Challenge: The costume was a point of discussion on the *Office Ladies* podcast, where it was noted that the character's terrifying appearance was a deliberate choice to contrast with the typical, cheerful holiday imagery.
Why The Office Christmas Episodes Endure
The enduring popularity of The Office Christmas episodes, even years after the final season, comes down to a perfect formula: they are the ultimate blend of holiday sentimentality and workplace misery. The holidays force the Dunder Mifflin employees to spend more time together, leading to an inevitable explosion of personality clashes.
Each episode provides a masterclass in character development. We see Michael Scott at his most desperate for love and acceptance, Jim and Pam's relationship hitting crucial turning points (the teapot, the snowball fight), and Dwight Schrute's bizarre traditions colliding head-on with corporate America. Whether you are re-watching for the hundredth time or introducing a new viewer to the series, these seven specials are the perfect way to inject some chaotic, heartwarming cheer into your holiday season. They are, without a doubt, a cherished part of television history.
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