The Big Bang Theory has plenty of holiday specials, with Christmas time being one of the most celebrated moments across the show’s history.
As a witty yet heartfelt sitcom that no one can deny the staying power of, The Big Bang Theory has a sparkling collection of Christmas episodes to return to every holiday season. One of CBS’ crowning jewels, The Big Bang Theory was one of the most popular sitcoms to come out of the 2000s. The misadventures of Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Raj and Penny as they navigated life, relationships, science and careers with charming witticisms and quirky bickering drew eyes across the nation. Ending after a respectable 12 season run, The Big Bang Theory, like any sitcom, managed to accrue its fair share of holiday-themed episodes.
The Bing Bang Theory was curiously consistent with its Christmas releases, with almost every Yuletide episode falling squarely on the 11th installment of its respective seasons. Not every season was lucky enough to get a Christmas episode, however, with seasons 1, 4, 5, 9, 11, and 12 not being so lucky. While The Big Bang Theory has plenty of holiday episodes in general, the Christmas entries in particular stand out as seasonal delights that are always a great time to return to every year.
6 The Bath Gift Item Hypothesis
Season 2, Episode 11
As the very first Christmas special The Big Bang Theory ever attempted, “The Bath Gift Item Hypothesis” just may be the strongest, delivering a dangerously funny yet cheerful holiday episode. The comedy of Sheldon’s hapless attempts at finding the perfect present to gift Penny is hilarious enough on its own, but the reveal that she gives him one of the best presents he’s ever received, a signed napkin from Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame, is the ultimate punchline to Sheldon’s exasperation. The rare hug Sheldon gives Penny in return makes this Christmas special one of the best The Big Bang Theory episodes in general, let alone among the holiday catalog.
5 The Maternal Congruence
Season 3, Episode 11
Reuniting with family for the holidays can sometimes be far more stressful than anything else, and no episode of The Big Bang Theory encapsulates this unfortunate truth better than “The Maternal Congruence“. After hearing how awful Leonard’s mother was for years, Leonard’s claims were finally substantiated when she visits him for Christmas, proving to fans just how nasty she really was once and for all. As if her attitude wasn’t bad enough, Leonard’s mother comes bearing unfortunate news, revealing that her and his father are getting a divorce.
It would be easy for this episode to feel like too much of a downer, even if Leonard’s mother’s antics border on the absurd at times. Luckily, an upbeat B-story featuring Penny and Beverly getting drunk in a Cheesecake Factory saves this episode from being too much of a depressing installment of the series for the holidays. Leonard’s ultimate decision to keep his relationship with Penny a secret from his mother may not have been his best moment, but ultimately made sense considering who his mother was.
4 The Santa Simulation
Season 6, Episode 11
Plenty of TV shows have featured episodes revolving around Dungeons & Dragons, and for a sitcom that follows the adventures of a nerdy friend group, there was no way The Big Bang Theory could resist following suit. However, season 6 added a twist to the formula by combining the tabletop roleplaying element with some holly jolly theming, resulting in an unforgettable campaign in which Sheldon reveals his disturbing feelings about Santa. Coupled with a side-story of Raj going dancing with the girls, this Christmas episode is undeniably one of the funniest.
3 The Cooper Extraction
Season 7, Episode 11
As the comedic and emotional anchor that held the friend group of apartment 4A together, it’s no surprise that Sheldon’s absence would have a big impact on the show. “The Cooper Extraction” explores this idea to the fullest, as Sheldon is indisposed flying back to Texas to meet his newborn nephew, starkly absent from the core roster. This uncanny vacuum within the friend group causes each of the cast to imagine what life would be like had they never met Sheldon, resulting in some bizarre daydream fantasies.
Beyond the novelty of a The Big Bang Theory episode without its most famous character, “The Cooper Extraction” is a thoughtful exploration of just how integral Sheldon Cooper is not only to the dynamic of the show, but to the dynamic of the gang. The episode’s similarities to Christmas classic It’s A Wonderful Life are also hard to ignore. At the end of the day, Sheldon is the face of the series, and it’s no surprise that among the main cast, Sheldon was the one to get a spinoff.
2 The Clean Room Infiltration
Season 8, Episode 11
Running behind on a dinner is a reliable comedy trope to fall back on, especially in a holiday-themed setting. Season 8, episode 11 “The Clean Room Infiltration” gave fans a shot of chaotic Christmas mayhem, as Amy haplessly tries to plan a nice Christmas dinner for the gang, including Raj’s visiting father, while Leonard, Raj, and Howard struggle to catch a bird that got loose in their lab. The background has Sheldon once again exchanging a war of gift supremacy, hoping to corner Amy with an unreciprocated gift only to be stunned by Amy getting her hands on his MeeMaw’s famous cookie recipe. The result of Amy’s themed party was a joy to watch unfold.
1 The Holiday Summation
Season 10, Episode 12
Breaking the tradition of the Christmas special falling on the 11th installment of a given season, “The Holiday Summation” would sadly be the last Christmas-themed episode to come out of the show. The end of an era, this episode split up the gang, having officially dissolved into a trio of couples rapidly splitting off into their own families, best exemplified with Bernadette and Howard’s struggles to keep their newborn from crying. Though it isn’t the most cheery Christmas episode, this final holiday special still nails the trademark quirky comedy The Big Bang Theory is known and loved for, even if the gang isn’t together.
