The Simpsons have been America’s family since 1989, and the juggernaut of a series continues to produce episodes well into the 21st century. With more than 700 episodes and no end in sight, the show is one of the longest running series in television history. Home, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, and their colorful collection of family, friends, and neighbors have been welcomed guests into audiences homes for decades. One particular thing that the show does well is their annual holiday specials, most notably their Tree House of Horror series released each Fall, as well as the always funny and occasionally heartfelt Christmas episode each season. Let’s take a look back at the best Christmas episodes of The Simpsons.
7 ‘Tis the Fifteenth Season (S15 EP7)
20th Television
Most shows do not ever live to see a fifteenth season, or sometimes even half as many. In this season fifteen Christmas episode, Homer realizes the selfishness he possesses following the viewing of A Christmas Carol. This causes him to set out to become the nicest man in Springfield, doing all kinds of good deeds for his friends and fellow neighbors. Feeling that his status as resident nice guy is slipping, Ned Flanders attempts to one-up Homer by purchasing the whole town Christmas gifts. Following advice from Lisa that maybe people would be happier without material possessions, Homer sets out to steal the towns Christmas presents in a Grinch-like fashion before learning his eventual lesson at the end of the episode. This particular Christmas special is a great Simpsons episode and a great parody of a classic Christmas tale.
6 Simpsons Christmas Stories (S17 EP9)
This particular Christmas episode follows the Tree House of Horror format of telling three distinct holiday tales told by Homer in place of Sunday service at church. Borrowing bits and pieces from biblical and traditional Christmas stories, each short has its own distinct Simpson flare to it. The episode was a critical success as well, and earned writer Don Payne a nomination at the Writers Guild Awards.
5 Grift of the Magi (S11 EP9)
The Furby craze of the late ’90s was very real and at times very scary just how alive these little mechanical dolls seemed. The Simpsons capitalized on this craze in this 1999 Christmas episode as Springfield Elementary is taken over by a toy company that uses the children as a research and development tool. Out of this research a toy called Funzo is born, resembling a Furby with the same playful elements, the toy is a hit. Not everything with Funzo is as it seems as it is soon discovered that the toy is programed to destroy other toys. This leads Homer, Bart, and Lisa on a Christmas mission to steal and destroy every Funzo in Springfield. Family, coming together on Christmas to save the town from an evil toy.
4 Skinner’s Sense of Snow (S12 EP8)
When Springfield Elementary is the only school to stay open during a thunderstorm turned snowstorm, Principle Skinner and a few select students find themselves snowed in and trapped the day before Christmas Break. Homer and Ned set out in the storm to rescue the children and staff in a makeshift snow plow. While the episode uses Christmastime as a backdrop rather than a central plot point, it still ranks as well as any.
3 Miracle on Evergreen Terrace (S09 EP10)
When an impatient Bart accidentally sets fire to the family Christmas tree, burning it and all the presents to ash, he blames it on a holiday burglar. With the Simpson family now viewed as victims of a Christmastime theft, the town showers donations upon them, even after Bart admits the truth to his family; they go along with the lie to not appear as though they are taking advantage of the town. After it is discovered they were not victims of theft, the family are left at the end of the episode, but an old torn washcloth after the townspeople take all of their belongings to recoup all the donations that had been given. Season nine of the series is wildly considered to be one of the best of the series, and this Christmas episode falls in line with the quality of the episodes throughout.
2 Marge Be Not Proud (S11 EP7)
When Bart has his eyes set on a new video game, he is shot down by his mother due to the violent nature of the game. However, two school bullies convince Bart to steal the game, which he does. When Marge discovers that Bart has done this, she believes she may have been mothering Bart too hard and bans him from all family Christmas activities. Bart, as he usually does, comes around to see the error of his ways, and reconciles with Marge. This Christmas episode provides a heartfelt tale of a boy and his mother and how those relationships can strain as children get older. It is a great addition to the series and the line of Simpsons Christmas episodes.
1 Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (S01 EP1)
The first season of The Simpsons was in many ways a “rough draft” for where the series would ultimately head. This Christmas episode is also the episode that started it all. It features a wide variety of Christmas traditions families can relate to. A school musical performance, visiting Santa at the mall; a curmudgeon of a boss akin to Mr. Scrooge. The episode ends with the Simpson family rescuing a dog from the Springfield Downs racetrack and naming him Santa’s Little Helper, introducing the family dog that has been a mainstay on the series ever since. The episode is one of the series’ most heartwarming and is a great example of what gives The Simpsons the longevity it has seen throughout the years.
