This time of year, we are all looking for movies and tv shows that give us a dose of the holiday spirit. But what happens when you are torn between watching something spicy or holiday-themed? Lucky you, you can find the best of both worlds! Here are some holiday episodes of tv shows that bring all the holiday vibes, with a side of sexiness. And they just never get old.

Fair warning: spoilers ahead!

“Grey’s Anatomy”

“Holidaze” (Season 6 Episode 10)

In this episode, we follow the doctors of Seattle Grace Mercy West through several different holidays. It covers everything from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s.

Mark and Lexie are struggling with the fact that an 18-year-old girl showed up saying that Mark is her dad. Christina is pretty sure that Owen is in love with another woman. Meredith and Derek are arguing about Richard’s drinking.

Sexy moments in this episode include two intensely hot scenes with Christina and Owen. There are also some very sweet romantic moments. A patient is waiting for a new heart. Her boyfriend sits with her in the hospital throughout the months of the episode. He proposes to her when she finally gets the heart she has been waiting for.

Overall, this episode covers many of the different holidays, so you are sure to get those holiday vibes you are looking for. And it is “Grey’s Anatomy,” so you also know you’ll get the “McDreamy” vibes.

Where to Watch: Netflix

“New Girl”

“Thanksgiving IV” (Season 4 Episode 9)

“New Girl” has many different holiday episodes following the shenanigans of these quirky roommates. This includes several different Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day episodes.

This one is the sexiest of all because Schmidt decides that instead of plain Thanksgiving, they are going to make it “Bangsgiving.” Everyone pulls a name out of a hat, almost like a smutty Secret Santa, but at Thanksgiving. They must bring a single friend for whoever’s name they pull out of the hat.

Things get crazy when Coach invites the teacher Jess is trying to not have feelings for. Of course, it’s “New Girl,” so there’s lots of other insane antics. The 4-D loft gang will have you laughing all the way through this episode, and it will put you in the spirit to spend the holidays with your loved ones.

Where to Watch: Netflix

“Orange is the New Black”

“F*cksgiving” (Season 1 Episode 9)

This is the first holiday episode of the show. Piper is feeling down from having to spend her first holiday in prison, but the other inmates are helping her get through the day.

Piper is looking forward to visiting with her fiancé later in the afternoon. First, she attends a release day party. While at the party, she is dancing with Alex, her ex-girlfriend, and things get a little sexual. One of the other inmates doesn’t like this, so she reports it to the inmate counselor, who happens to have feelings for Piper. He throws her in solitary to punish her for “what she did.” Meanwhile, the other characters are also dealing with drama of their own.

Overall, this episode is full of sexual tension, drama, and chaos, which is the “Orange is the New Black” way. This isn’t particularly a feel-good episode, but it has some of that holiday chaos that we can all relate to.

Where to Watch: Netflix

“How I Met Your Mother”

“Little Minnesota” (Season 4 Episode 11)

There’s nothing like Christmas in New York, especially when you have great friends to share it with. This episode starts with Robin feeling homesick, because winter in New York is like spring in her homeland of Canada. Marshall takes her to a few different bars in the city to remind her of home and make her feel better.

Then, Ted announces that his sister Heather is coming to visit and is planning to move to the city. Ted has been trying to keep Barney from meeting her, because he is afraid that he will try and sleep with her. Barney ends up meeting Heather anyway. They then fake a sexual encounter to taunt Ted.

This Christmas episode is full of shenanigans and fun moments with the gang. This one will definitely spark your Christmas joy this season.

Where to Watch: Hulu

“Younger”

“A Christmas Miracle” (Season 5 Episode 7)

With a show about a single mom in her 40s pretending she’s 26 to get a job, anything can happen. This episode throws holiday cheer and spicy moments at you from all directions. There is sexual tension all over the place between the Kelsey/Jake/Zane and the Liza/Josh/Charles love triangles.

Kelsey tries to keep Charles from seeing Jake, the author she is working with, hold her hand to avoid workplace chaos. But instead, she ends up kissing Zane at a party, and Jake sees the whole thing.

The main tension is between Liza and Charles. Charles ends up at a holiday party that Liza attends with her daughter and friends. He sees the mom side of her that he hasn’t really gotten to see, and he falls for her even more. A couple of days later, Charles hears a song that reminds him of Liza, and goes to get his girl. There is a very dramatic and satisfying moment for Charles and Liza fans when they kiss in the snow for the first time.

“Younger” is known for its humor, but also its dramatic moments. This episode is no different and is a big point in the show for many of the main characters.

 Where to Watch: Hulu

“Friends”

“The One with All the Resolutions” (Season 5 Episode 11)

We couldn’t have a holiday episode blog without mentioning “Friends!” The show did several great holiday episodes throughout its 10 seasons. But the one that has the most spice is definitely “The One with All the Resolutions.”

In this episode, Monica and Chandler are sleeping together, but they don’t want their friends to know yet. At the beginning of the episode, Monica and Chandler are talking on the phone planning to hook up later that evening. Chandler asks if Rachel will be suspicious of Monica being gone. But Monica informs him that she told Rachel that she will be doing laundry all night. Then, Chandler says, “Laundry, is that my new nickname?” Rachel overhears the entire phone conversation, finding out their secret.

Another moment of chaos is when Chandler wants to kiss Monica at midnight on New Year’s Eve, but he doesn’t want to blow their secret. Joey also already knows about them being together, so he decides to help them out. He decides to kiss Rachel at midnight, and tells Ross to kiss Phoebe, so Chandler can kiss Monica. Overall, this episode has all the “Friends” chaos, but with some New Year’s festiveness.

Where to Watch: HBO Max

Some of the best tv show episodes just happen to be holiday themed. Embrace the chaos and fun of the holidays and get in the mood with these great suggestions!

Kaitlyn Craig
Kaitlyn (she/her/hers) recently graduated in May 2022 from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s in English. She loves reading, writing, and crocheting (specifically stuffed animals!) She is from Paducah, Kentucky, and has worked for Pure Romance since July 2022. She is very passionate about talking about books and the various impacts they can have. She even has a podcast called "The NeverEnding TBR." She would love to one day be an author and create characters that can impact others the way her favorite characters have impacted her!