Christmas in sitcoms is never just Christmas. It’s a time for emotional breakdowns, surprise proposals, elaborate misunderstandings, and the kind of cooking disasters that make you feel seen.

From Peckham to Pawnee, from paper crowns to punchlines, festive specials are the crown jewels of comedy. So grab your mince pie, pour something mulled, and see how well you remember TV’s best Christmas moments.

1.

In the classic Only Fools and Horses 1996 Christmas special “Heroes and Villains,” which costumes do Del Boy and Rodney wear to the fancy-dress party?

A) Santa and Rudolph

B) Batman and Robin

C) Terry and June

D) Superman and Spider-Man

2.

In The Vicar of Dibley Christmas episode, what food does Geraldine end up eating multiple times after visiting her parishioners?

A) Christmas dinners

B) Mince pies

C) Brussels sprouts

D) Curly Wurleys

3.

Which American sitcom gave us the Festivus holiday — “for the rest of us”?

A) Friends

B) The Office (US)

C) Frasier

D) Seinfeld

4.

In Gavin & Stacey’s 2008 Christmas special, what gifts does Nessa give out?

A) A watch

B) Celebrations

C) Socks

D) A DVD of The Italian Job

5.

In The Office (UK) two-part Christmas special, what finally happens between Tim and Dawn?

A) Nothing

B) They kiss and get together

C) He proposes

D) She leaves forever

6.

In Friends, what costume does Ross wear when trying to teach Ben about Hanukkah?

A) Santa Claus

B) Frosty the Snowman

C) The Holiday Armadillo

D) A dreidel

7.

In The Royle Family: The Queen of Sheba, what heartbreaking event takes place during the Christmas season?

A) Nana passes away

B) Baby Born

C) Dave leaves Denise

D) Jim gives up drinking

8.

In The Simpsons’ first-ever episode, “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,” what does Homer do to make extra money for Christmas?

A) Sell gifts door-to-door

B) Work at a dog track

C) Work as a shopping centre Santa

D) Enter a dance contest

9.

Which Brooklyn Nine-Nine Christmas episode sees the squad pulling off a festive heist?

A) “Operation: Ho Ho Heist”

B) "Heistmas Eve”

C) “The Christmas Caper”

D) “Yippie Kayak”

10.

In Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, which actor plays the “nicest man in England” who learns that being good is overrated?

A) Rowan Atkinson

B) Hugh Laurie

C) Stephen Fry

D) Tony Robinson

🏆 Bonus Question

In The Big Bang Theory Christmas episode “The Bath Item Gift Hypothesis,” what does Penny give Sheldon that makes him unexpectedly emotional?

A) A limited-edition comic book

B) A napkin signed by Leonard Nimoy (complete with his DNA)

C) A framed physics award

D) A sweater

Answers

1. B) Batman and Robin

2. C) Brussels Sprouts

3. D) Seinfeld

4. B) Celebrations

5. B) They kiss and get together (well we hope)

6. C) The Holiday Armadillo

7. A) Nanna passes Away

8. C) Work as a shopping centre Santa

9. D) Yippie Kayak

10. A) Rowan Atkinson

11. B) A napkin signed by Leonard Nimoy (complete with his DNA)

🎉 How Did You Do?

• 9–11 correct: You’re a certified sitcom superfan — basically the Ghost of Comedy Past.

• 6–8 correct: Respectable. You’ve clearly seen every festive rerun on Gold.

• 3–5 correct: You remember the spirit, if not the details — pour another sherry.

• 0–2 correct: You might be a Grinch. Or American. (Kidding. Mostly.)

Why Sitcoms Do Christmas Best

Christmas specials are where sitcoms reveal their heart. Beneath the gags and glitter, they’re about found families — the ones we build from friends, neighbours, or whoever happens to be around when the turkey burns.

They’re also a time for emotional payoffs (The Office, Gavin & Stacey), daft costumes (Only Fools, Friends), and genuine tears (The Royle Family). No matter the decade, they remind us that chaos and affection can coexist — especially at the dinner table.

Your Turn

What’s your favourite sitcom Christmas moment?

Del Boy and Rodney running through the streets? Nana’s last goodbye? The Holiday Armadillo’s tragic dignity?

Drop your answers here — and remember: however your Christmas goes, it probably won’t be that bad.

Unless Geraldine’s on her ninth dinner.

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