Our Christmas Blog

When we think of Christmas traditions, most of us picture the familiar ones: decorating the tree, hanging stockings, baking cookies, or watching that one favorite Christmas movie every single year.

But some of the most meaningful traditions don’t actually begin in December at all.

Every once in a while, someone shares a Christmas tradition so charming, so unexpected, and so full of heart that it sticks with you for years.

Several years ago, a visitor to the website sent me an email that I’ve never forgotten. She shared a Christmas tradition her family had quietly built over time - one that didn’t involve decorations, recipes, or shopping lists.

Instead, it involved television.

Throughout the year she recorded every Christmas episode of classic sitcoms that she happened to catch on TV. Not just in November or December, but all year long. Anytime one popped up on TV, she saved it.

Then, on Christmas Eve, her whole family gathers together, gets cozy, and watches the entire collection as their official kickoff to Christmas.

No stress. No elaborate planning. Just nostalgia, laughter, and the warm glow of Christmas TV magic. And honestly? I think it’s brilliant.

Why Christmas Sitcom Episodes Are So Special

There’s something special about Christmas episodes of classic sitcoms. They’re comforting, familiar, and they’re usually packed with the kind of warmth and gentle life lessons we crave during the holidays - kindness, forgiveness, family, and a reminder that things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Unlike a movie marathon, sitcom episodes are short and easy to dip into. You can watch several in one evening without committing to a four-hour cinematic event. You could watch the entire collection on Christmas Eve, or spread it out over Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

A Tradition That Grows All Year Long

The best part of this idea is that it never stays the same and it’s never finished. Most traditions only happen once a year. This one quietly builds month by month, episode by episode. You don’t need a massive collection to start - one recorded Christmas episode is enough to begin a tradition.

And here’s the fun part: once you start paying attention, you’ll be amazed at how often Christmas episodes appear throughout the year.

And that’s where our Year-Round Christmas TV Schedule fits in. It makes it easy to spot Christmas episodes whenever they air - whether it’s a classic sitcom rerun in April or a holiday marathon in July. If you want to try this tradition yourself, having a schedule you can check all year long takes the guesswork out of it.

By the time Christmas Eve arrives, you may discover that the collecting - the noticing, the remembering, the anticipation - was just as meaningful as the marathon itself.

How to Build Your Own Christmas Episode Collection

1. Record Christmas Episodes Whenever You Spot Them - Keep an eye out throughout the year for:
• Reruns on cable channels
• Holiday marathons on classic TV networks
• Random Christmas episodes that pop up unexpectedly

2. Choose the Types of Shows You Want to Include - You can stick with one style or mix them all:
• Classic sitcoms from the 50s - 90s
• Cozy 2000s comfort shows
• Animated Christmas specials
• Kids’ sitcoms for younger viewers

3. Create a Cozy Christmas Eve Viewing Ritual - This is where the magic really happens. Consider adding:
• Hot cocoa (or even a full hot cocoa bar)
• Christmas cookies or a favorite snack tray
• Matching pajamas
• A simple printed “episode schedule”
• A cozy blanket fort for the kids
• A mid-marathon break for a Christmas Eve treat

Fun Variations on This Idea
If sitcoms aren’t your family’s thing, you can still embrace the spirit of this tradition. Try collecting:
• Christmas episodes of cooking shows
• Holiday-themed game show episodes
• Christmas episodes from kids’ programming
• A “time capsule” of Christmas TV from one specific decade

The goal is the same: a curated, cozy, nostalgic Christmas Eve experience that feels personal and relaxed.

Christmas traditions don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Often, the simplest ones - the ones built quietly on shared moments and togetherness - become the most meaningful.

And sometimes the best Christmas traditions aren’t about what we do in December at all. They’re about what we carry with us throughout the year.