The Best in Holiday TV: We Hope to Catch Some Re-Runs!

If there's one thing that's on my wish list each holiday season, it's that my favorite TV shows can deliver episodes that aren't trite, predictable or nauseatingly sappy. Of course, there are always hits and misses, but some offerings truly stand the test of time.

In other words, I actually remember them -- and I'm hoping Santa drops them into my TV stocking at some point this season.

Here are my picks for the most notable TV episodes:

The Office, "Christmas Party."
Michael sets up a Secret Santa gift exchange for the staff, and nobody is supposed to spend more than $20. To show off, Michael buys a $400 video iPod as his gift to Ryan. After Michael receives a handmade oven mitt that he hates, he turns the exchange into a "Yankee Swap," where staffers can swap their gift with someone else's or choose a new one.
Chaos and hurt feelings ensue and everyone is mad at Michael, who, in turn, fails to see the problem.
"Unbelievable," he says. "I do the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for these people and they freak out. Well, happy birthday, Jesus. Sorry your party's so lame."
Michael then buys 15 gallons of alcohol and everyone gets lit. The episode concludes with a drunken Meredith showing Michael her lady bits.

Everybody Hates Chris, "Everybody Hates Christmas"
This episode is bittersweet because for all its humor, its premise is a sad little tale. When Chris' parents' water heater breaks down before the Christmas shopping is complete, they can't afford to get him his Walkman. His sister and brother receive dolls, games and bikes, while Chris ends up with a freebie calendar from the doctor's office as his present.
In the spirit of Christmas, though, Chris rises above it and appreciates his day – largely because his normally-exasperated mom spoils him rotten out of guilt.

Grey's Anatomy, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."
As usual, there's plenty of drama at Seattle Grace. Alex has failed his board exam, so everyone helps him study for his re-take -- except Izzie, who feels betrayed because he just cheated on her.
Cristina and Burke argue because he's spiritual and she's, well, not. This comes to a head as they're giving a little boy his second heart transplant.
And, as a really thoughful gift, McDreamy chooses Christmas to tell his wife he's in love with Meredith.
Ho, ho, ho!
But the touching moments sweetly bring it all together. Cristina's hardened shell cracks; she helps breathe new hope into her the juvenile heart patient, and softens to Burke's spirituality. Izzie breaks down to help Alex study "because that's what Jesus would freakin' do!" And Izzie, Meredith and George celebrate their friendship in silence by laying with their heads underneath the Christmas tree, looking at the lights.

WKRP in Cincinnati, "Turkeys Away!"
I know Turkey Day has already passed. But this classic episode from way back, in which the radio station drops live turkeys from a helicopter as a Thanksgiving gift to listeners, cannot be left out. Les Nessman reports from the ground: "The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement!" The whole thing is comedy genius.

Friends, "The One With the Armadillo."
Ross gets his son, Ben, for the holidays and wants to teach him about Hanukkah. But Ben is all about Santa, so Ross tries to grant his Christmas wish by renting a St. Nick costume. Of course, the costume shop is cleaned out of anything remotely Christmas-y, so he ends up in a hideous and scary armadillo outfit and introduces himself as "Santa's representative for all the southern states and Mexico."
When Chandler shows up as Santa and Joey arrives as Superman, Ross' persona fizzles even harder. In the end, though, Santa and Superman help grease the wheels for Ben's Hanukkah lesson.

We saved the best for last:

Seinfeld, "The Strike."
In this episode, Frank Costanza introduces the masses to "Festivus," a celebration he says he created as an alternative to overly-commercial Christmas.

The decor: an plain aluminum pole. "No decoration required," says Costanza. "I find tinsel distracting."
Festivus includes traditions such as "The Airing of Grievances" (people tell each other how they disappointed each other over the year), and "Feats of Strength" (in which the head of household engages in wrestling matches with guests). Festivus officially concludes when the head of household is pinned to the floor. Which is probably how many real-life get-togethers end anyway.

What are some of your favorite holiday TV episodes?