18 Nostalgic Christmas Episodes Streaming on Hulu Right Now
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Christmas is all about celebrating traditions and sharing memories of holidays past, and one of our favorite ways of getting into the spirit is drowning in the nostalgia of the Christmas episodes of yore. Thanks to Hulu, watching classic holiday episodes is easier than ever before. Gone are the days of tracking down that one festive episode of Hey Arnold! that always makes us bawl, because it's now available for us to stream whenever we please. If you're looking to bring back some nostalgic Christmas TV memories of your own, then check out our list of the best holidays episodes from the '90s and early '00s streaming on Hulu right now.
Animaniacs, "A Christmas Plotz/Little Drummer Warners"
Wacky as ever, Animaniacs' holidays episode includes a parody of A Christmas Carol featuring Warner Bros. chief Thaddeus Plotz and Yakko, Wakko, and Dot putting their own spin on the Nativity story. Add in a Santa Claus chicken and a few caroling instructions, and you have a perfectly irreverent holiday episode.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Amends"
Christmas miracles abound in "Amends" as Buffy refuses to give up on Angel. Her perseverance leads to an actual miracle when it snows in Sunnydale, CA — which isn't great for poor Xander, who camps outside to avoid his family's fighting on Christmas Eve.
Dawson's Creek, "Merry Mayhem"
Dawson's Creek skips the warm and fuzzy holiday feelings and gets straight to the drunken holiday party awkwardness in "Merry Mayhem." Dawson, Pacey, and Joey all return home for a Capeside Christmas, but they can't put their past dramas behind them when the Leery family invites everyone over for dinner.
Doug, "Doug's Christmas Story"
What's the point of the holidays if your best pal is thrown in the dog pound? Doug finds himself asking that very question when Porkchop is accused of attacking Beebe. Before Doug can have the best Christmas ever, he has to figure out a way to prove his pup is innocent.
ER, "A Miracle Happens Here"
ER has several memorable Christmas episodes, but season two's "A Miracle Happens Here" remains the most festive (and moving) installment. Over the course of a hectic night at the hospital, Carol finds herself treating a man who looks an awful lot like Santa Claus, while Jeanie tries to create a miracle of her own by convincing a group of gang members not to seek revenge after their priest is shot.
Family Matters, "Have Yourself a Very Winslow Christmas"
Poor Urkel gets left alone by his parents at Christmas, so he joins the Winslows' festivities instead. There's just one problem: the family can't understand why Urkel still believes in Santa — at least not until a little holiday magic happens.
Frasier, "Frasier Grinch"
If you're obsessed with the holiday season, then Martin Crane is your festive soulmate. While Frasier is stressing over getting his son educational toys for Christmas, his dad is doing the absolute most to deck the halls of their apartment, and his increasingly over-the-top decorations are delightful . . . even though they straight up enrage Frasier.
Full House, "Our Very First Christmas Show"
Only the Tanner family could turn spending Christmas in an airport into a festive family bonding experience. This episode deserves every single "awww" from the audience, as Stephanie, Michelle, and D.J. learn that Christmas always finds you and Becky and Uncle Jesse share a kiss under the mistletoe.
Golden Girls, "Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas"
Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia all plan to spend Christmas with their families in this very special episode, but their holiday takes an unexpected turn when they're taken hostage by a man wearing a Santa suit. What follows is a darkly funny half-hour as the girls deal with their captor by cracking jokes and trying to understand what's led him to make such a big mistake.
Hey Arnold!, "Arnold's Christmas"
Keep the tissues handy for this touching episode, because Arnold succeeding in reuniting Mr. Hyunh with his daughter remains one of the show's most emotional moments. Plenty of shows use Secret Santa plots to fuel their episodes, but we can't think of a single one that's more effective than Hey Arnold!.
The O.C., "The Best Chrismukkah Ever"
Seth Cohen successfully games the system to create the ultimate holiday: Chrismukkah, a combination of all the best parts of Christmas and Hanukkah. While Seth's holiday mashup is the highlight, there's also plenty of The O.C. drama in between the sweet moments of the Cohens teaching Ryan all of their special traditions.
The Powerpuff Girls, "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas"
When Princess declares herself the fourth Powerpuff Girl and attempts to manipulate Santa into making her wish come true, the girls have no choice but to bring her down. Unfortunately for them, Princess is crafty enough to convince Saint Nick that she's the only good child in the world. Some serious smackdowns ensue.
Rugrats, "The Santa Experience"
This classic episode of the Rugrats has it all: Chuckie being terrified of Santa, Angelica learning to tone down her brattiness just in time for Santa's arrival, and Phil and Lil reenacting "The Gift of the Magi." Add in the babies' parents working way too hard to make Christmas perfect for their toddlers, and you have a funny and heartwarming special that never gets old.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch, "Sabrina Claus"
Choosing a favorite Sabrina the Teenage Witch Christmas episode isn't easy, because they all deserve an annual viewing. But if you only have time for one episode this holiday season, then go for "Sabrina Claus." Trust us, seeing Sabrina step into Santa's boots on Christmas Eve is not something you want to miss out on.
Seinfeld, "The Strike"
The commercialization of Christmas gets a major takedown in "The Strike" — the episode of Seinfeld that's best known for giving the world Festivus. From the Feats of Strength to the Airing of Grievances and the traditional Festivus pole, George may not like his dad's holiday, but we think the whole idea is ingenious.
Step by Step, "Christmas Story"
Surfer dude Cody is left to set all the kids straight when it comes to the true meaning of Christmas in this super-'90s episode of Step by Step. When Carol and Frank are arrested on Christmas Eve after trying to buy last-minute gifts, their kids rip open all of their presents despite their parents not being there. That leaves Cody to teach them a lesson about gratitude as Carol and Frank work on getting out of jail.
Tiny Toon Adventures, "It's a Wonderful Tiny Toon Christmas Special"
If you grew up in the '90s, then there's an excellent chance the reason you're familiar with It's a Wonderful Life's plot is because you saw it on Tiny Toon Adventures. After his play is a bust, Buster Bunny wishes he had never become a Tiny Toon, leading to his guardian angel showing him how awful things would be for his friends without him.
The X-Files, "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas"
There's a melancholy spirit to "How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" that sets it apart from most holiday episodes. Mulder and Scully's Christmas Eve spent inside a haunted house with a pair of ghosts who are determined to make them kill each other plays on the sadder feelings the holidays can bring out. But it also highlights the unshakable bond that exists between the iconic duo.