In terms of Christmas-themed episodes on TV, it doesn’t get higher than sitcoms. Many basic exhibits would reinvent themselves in these episodes, giving viewers a novel look and heartfelt storylines that have been much less explored in the course of the common season, utilizing the vacation to discover completely different themes and shift the episode’s tone. Nonetheless, Trendy Household is a little bit of a novel beat, as a result of it’s not your common sitcom. This mockumentary a few massive California household rising up in their very own hilarious twister of personalities follows a now-familiar documentary construction, with every Christmas episode feeling extra like a continuation than a particular unto itself.
The writers managed to stay with the successful system for 11 seasons, which included its signature Christmas episodes. Weirdly, there aren’t many Christmas episodes, because the present places extra emphasis on Halloween episodes. There are solely 6 Christmas episodes of Trendy Household, and if you’re seeking to embrace them in your festive viewing, we’ve got outlined them so as of launch, together with which of them we expect are the very best.
6
“Undeck the Halls”
Season 1, Episode 10
Within the first Christmas episode in the whole sequence, writers went for a surefire system. They don’t complicate issues by forcing characters into one storyline; as a substitute, they let every a part of the household resonate by itself, highlighting acquainted traits inside a vacation setting. Undeck the Halls places the Dunphys in a dilemma. There’s a cigarette burn on the sofa, and Phil and Claire threaten to depart the youngsters with out Christmas as a result of none of them confesses. The issue is that Phil then follows by on each menace he’s ever made.
In the meantime, Cam and Mitchell attempt to make Lily’s first Christmas with them particular, however unintentionally find yourself getting Santa fired from the mall. They attempt to make it as much as him by principally adopting him for the vacation. Jay, Gloria, and Manny go spherical and spherical, unable to resolve whether or not to comply with a Colombian or an American Christmas custom. Jay is continually pranked within the “Inocente!” sport, and he complains as a result of it’s not April (“inocente” is like April Idiot’s Day).
A strong episode due to the Dunphys’ storyline, Cam and Mitchell being pure comedic bliss, and Jay’s becoming a member of in on the festivities. It was a fantastic introduction to what a Trendy Household Christmas episode would appear to be going ahead.
5
“Categorical Christmas”
Season 3, Episode 10
The second Christmas episode of Trendy Household is really the most effective. It is because it cleverly mixes each aspect of the household in a non-traditional Christmas setting. The episode begins with the household gathered at Jay and Gloria’s, realizing they received’t spend Christmas collectively as a result of everybody has different plans. This provides Phil a reasonably good thought: they’ll have fun “Categorical Christmas,” which is principally stopping what they’re doing and making ready every part that very same day.
Luke and Gloria search for the angel to placed on high of the Christmas tree. Haley and Claire will do the present procuring. Mitchell and Alex will get a tree. Phil and Manny go grocery procuring. Not one of the plans go properly, and Categorical Christmas doesn’t end up the way in which they anticipated, however, like Trendy Household does in its greatest episodes, it delivers an uplifting and compelling perception into household that resonates deeply with viewers, highlighting how the sequence has turn out to be the best pick-me-up sequence.
4
“The Outdated Man and the Three”
Season 5, Episode 10
The Outdated Man and the Three follows a number of intertwining tales set over the vacations: Phil tries to interrupt a file on the elliptical machine; Claire bonds with Gloria’s mother, and Gloria will get jealous; Haley and Alex work as Santa’s helpers within the mall, and issues don’t go properly; and Mitchell, and Lily are seemingly unaware they’re getting into a charity occasion. The episode has some highlights, reminiscent of when Mitchell arrives at Pepper’s get together with presents (who celebrates one thing referred to as the “12 Gays of Christmas”), and Cam gives presents galore to charity. Think about a child asking who Robert Mapplethorpe is, and also you’ll get the thought.
Regardless of its few highs, The Outdated Man and Three is a weaker episode within the sequence. Right here, the sequence appeared to play towards its personal strengths, with an excessive amount of occurring, messing with the tempo and dynamic storytelling which have made the present so beloved. Primarily, the episode separates all characters into completely different tales, and never all of them really feel “Christmas-y.”
3
“White Christmas”
Season 7, Episode 9
White Christmas is, arguably, the very best Christmas-themed Trendy Household episode, as a result of it’s the funniest by far, options the entire gang in a single setting, and has that nice mixture of drama and comedy that the present was well-known for. Within the episode, the household heads over to a cabin within the mountains that Gloria has rented, as a result of it’s her first Christmas as an American, and she or he needs a snowy one — “, like white folks have.” The issue is that she miscalculates the climate, and it’s approach hotter within the mountains than at house. Nonetheless, this doesn’t cease them from making an attempt to have enjoyable.
Andy comes alongside on the journey, since he and Haley are a factor, solely the household doesn’t know. There’s additionally a shock visitor within the cabin that Cam decides to let keep as a result of it’s Christmas. Jay broadcasts he’s retiring and pranks Claire by telling her she received’t inherit his place as CEO on the closet firm. Luke and Manny attempt to prank Lily by telling her a horror story, nevertheless it doesn’t go properly (there’s additionally a fantastic reference to The Shining within the episode).
The episode’s conclusion is superb, and it suits completely with the present’s tone. Andrea Martin, of My Massive Fats Greek Wedding ceremony fame, performs the uninvited visitor and delivers a memorable comedic efficiency. This episode is a incredible showcase with all the very best characters of the sequence getting their second to shine.
2
“Caught in a Second”
Season 10, Episode 10
Caught in a Second finds Haley unable to seek out the precise second to inform her household she’s pregnant. Jay, Gloria, and Manny obtain a field of presents from Colombia that accommodates a banana spider able to turning on the TV, which decides to relax within the Christmas tree, inflicting fixed chaos. After all, the celebration strikes over to the Dunphy family. The issue is that Phil has a home displaying, and takes their tree and presents over to ensure the sale, however Claire would not allow them to go simply. Cam and Mitchell are at a mall, the place they resolve to present Cal (their nephew) a memorable Christmas by placing him on Santa’s lap. The issue is that Santa has a grudge towards Mitchell and will not let the lads know what Cal wished for Christmas.
Caught in a Second is without doubt one of the greatest “dad” episodes of Trendy Household. It additionally has a fantastic Christmas dynamic when it merges all storylines into one for the mid-season finale of one of many present’s final seasons. The episode ends on a excessive be aware on the Dunphys house when Haley reveals to everybody that she and Dylan are having a child, and reactions differ. There’s a sentimentality to the episode as properly, a reminder for followers that there’s just one festive-themed episode left within the sequence.
1
“The Final Christmas”
Season 11, Episode 9
In The Final Christmas, Cam and Mitchell are internet hosting Christmas dinner, and Cam has points when nobody needs to take a seat subsequent to one another as a result of everybody has an issue with everybody else. On the identical time, Mitchell would not know why Cam needs to make a journey house by himself; Haley rekindles with wine after having stopped breastfeeding; Manny and Luke conflict over a lady; and Jay needs Claire to be extra invested in his canine mattress firm. The very best a part of the episode is the conclusion, when Cam lastly admits why he needs to go alone to Missouri, and the entire household panics after having a imaginative and prescient of the tip of every part. The final shot, once they all attempt to take a household picture whereas sporting foolish outfits, has the basic Trendy Household really feel.
The Final Christmas takes viewers by what would be the final Christmas episode of Trendy Household. Not solely as a result of it is the present’s earlier season, but additionally as a result of the writers set it as much as really feel like a farewell to the idea of household gatherings. It is probably not the most effective episodes within the sequence, nevertheless it definitely captures the enjoyment of getting collectively for the vacations.
