Christmas, oh Christmas, what a time to snuggle up and watch some episodes of Bob's Burgers, am I right? There is nothing like a good Christmas-themed Bob's Burgers episode paired with your favorite blanket and cozy clothes.
Thankfully, there are plenty of episodes to choose from as the show gave us our first Christmas episode in season 3 and has continued into season 14. While season 15 hasn't aired a Christmas episode yet, the show never skips Christmas even though they did skip Thanksgiving this year. I'm just a little bit salty about that.
No matter, season 15's Christmas episode hasn't aired yet. With December now here, it's time to look back at all of the Bob's Burgers Christmas episodes and rank them.
As with all of these lists, this is just my opinion and I know that everyone has favorite Bob's Burgers Christmas episodes. If you want to share something differently, feel free to share your rankings on our Facebook page.
Let's rank all of the Bob's Burgers Christmas episodes.
12. "Better Off Sled"
Coming in at the bottom spot on our list is the season 9 Christmas episode, "Better Off Sled." As far as Christmas episodes go, it's more of a snow day/winter-themed episode. The episode follows the Belcher kids as they're dealing with some older kids trying to take over where they're sledding. As for Bob and Linda, they're trying to get 3 scarves done before Christmas is here. Honestly, this episode doesn't feel like Christmas so that's what it ended up at the bottom of my list.
11. "Gene's Christmas Break"
Next is "Gene's Christmas Break," which is arguably one of the weirdest Christmas episodes. This episode follows Gene who becomes obsessed with a Christmas song which in turn annoys the entire family. Much to Gene's dismay, his Christmas vinyl record breaks and he has to try to find a replacement. While I won't give away what happens in the episode, it is slightly underwhelming.
As far as Christmas episodes with songs, this one just doesn't have the same magic as the others so it ended up on the lower end of the list.
10. "Yachty or Nice"
At the #10 spot is "Yachty or Nice," which is season 11's Christmas episode. The episode follows Bob as he's getting a special opportunity to cater a yacht party but he believes it's too good to be true yet the reason is much sweeter than you might think. While Bob is doing his thing, Louise is trying to get a gift but learns a wise lesson from Santa aka Teddy. Honestly, the episode is good but not great which is why it took this spot.
9. "The Bleakening (Parts 1 and 2)"
The #9 spot on the list is going to the two-part Christmas episode, "The Bleakening." While the episode was exciting upon release, it hasn't held up nearly as well. After Linda's Christmas tree is stolen, she's trying to figure out who did it while Teddy entertains the kids by telling the story of the Bleaken, a creature who steals presents from naughty kids.
While the episode has a mystery storyline, we quickly find out what's truly going on, and in true Bob's Burgers fashion, it's absurd in the best way. There were some great moments, but this episode isn't nearly as spectacular as it was upon its initial release.
8. "Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas"
When looking at the Belcher family, Linda Belcher tends to be a hard character for the show to write about. Even so, "Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas" is a pretty decent Christmas episode despite all the beliefs we have to suspend. For the holiday season, Linda gets a job at the post office and decides to break a few laws to try to get a package delivered with Louise and Gene as her partners in crime. For the B-plot, we're watching as Bob and Tina tackle Christmas with Linda's family while she's not there.
Once again, this is a good Bob's Burgers episode but not a great one. There are some heartwarming moments, but other than that, the episode is slightly unhinged.
7. "Nice-Capades"
This is where my fellow Bob's Burgers fans might disagree, but I don't love the "Nice-Capades" episode. We're following the kids who end up accidentally angering a Mall Santa who says that he'll report their bad behavior to the real Santa Claus. To try to make up for it, Louise creates the "Nice-Capades," an ice show about all the nice things they've done.
In the end, Louise realizes her mistake and decides to come clean to Santa. Santa gives her some helpful advice and Louise asks for a pet shark which doesn't happen. However, the shining star of this episode is Henry Winkler who voices the Mall Santa in the episode. He's such an unexpectedly great pick so there was no way this episode could go any lower.
6. "The Last Gingerbread House on the Left"
The #7 and #6 spots could be flip-flopped on your mood yet "The Last Gingerbread House on the Left" is such a unique Christmas episode. Bob gets invited by Mr. Fischoeder to his annual Gingerbread house-building contest as a way for him to win. However, once Bob finds out the prize, he decides to take it seriously so his kids can have the present they've been longing for. Meanwhile, Linda, the kids, and Teddy decide to go caroling around the neighborhood where they have an unexpected interaction with a neighbor.
"The Last Gingerbread House on the Left" has the perfect blend of absurdity and heart to make this a solid Christmas episode. While it might not be high up on everyone's list, it's one of the most memorable ones because who can honestly say they've seen someone else shoot a gingerbread house?
5. "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas"
At the #5 spot is season 14's Christmas episode which is "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas," which follows the Belchers spending Christmas at Mr. Fischoeder's family lodge. Things immediately start off rocky and only get worse from there. Ultimately, the episode ends up being Linda's quest to find a tree while Louise is hoping Santa can find them.
Ultimately, "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas" showcases just how much Linda loves Christmas and what she's willing to do for the perfect tree. However, at its core, the episode is about family and how it doesn't matter what's going on as long as they're together. Seeing the kids all run up and hug Linda at the end will just melt your heart.
4. "The Plight Before Christmas"
Not sure if you're sensing a theme but these next few episodes are pretty sappy but that's the great thing about Christmas. For season 13's episode, we're following Bob and Linda as they're trying to make it to all of the kids' performances. "The Plight Before Christmas" isn't just about Bob and Linda trying their best to be there. It's about family and how much being together on Christmas can mean which is something we find out from Louise.
The show has truly shown a more mature version of Louise in the later seasons which proves how great the writing is. Having Tina be there to hear Louise's poem makes it all the better because at least, someone from her family was there to see it. If you're looking for an episode to bring a tear to your eye this Christmas, it's "The Plight Before Christmas."
3. "Father of the Bob"
Coming in at the #3 spot is "Father of the Bob." If you couldn't guess, this is a more emotional episode as we're following the Belcher family headed to Big Bob's Diner for his Christmas party. Bob is immediately reluctant as he has a "15 Minute Rule" with his Dad. Basically, he can't be around him for more than 15 minutes as Big Bob usually ends up insulting him in some way.
We find out quickly there is some tension between Bob and his father due to a past mishap and it boils over during the Christmas party. Oddly enough, it's one of the more realistic moments of the episode and seeing the two talk it out is worth the awkward moments. It's also one of the first glimpses we see of Bob's mother being talked about. In the end, Linda and the kids do what needs to be done to ensure things run smoothly.
2. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins"
Coming in at the #2 spot is the show's first Christmas episode which was "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins." When talking about a ridiculous Christmas episode, this one would go on top of the list as it follows Chet, a guy the family finds in Bob's deceased uncle's storage unit. The only catch is that he claims he used to be a mannequin. While it might seem silly, the concept works so well and it ends up being a huge part of the storyline.
Additionally, the episode gives us a festive look at Bob's Burgers as the restaurant gets decked out with a different window display by Chet. Eventually, things take an even wilder turn when Bob and the kids find Chet's long-long love who is a mannequin. Regardless if you're looking for a great Bob's Burgers Christmas episode, this one is it.
1. "Christmas in the Car"
At the #1 spot is season 4's Christmas episode, "Christmas in the Car." Linda's Christmas spirit gets the best of her when she decides to decorate early and since the Belchers have a real tree, it dies on Christmas Eve. The family ends up going to a Christmas tree farm to find a new one where they have a run-in with a guy driving a candy cane truck.
With some funny moments, a great Christmas song, and an utterly absurd yet heartwarming ending, "Christmas in the Car" is everything you're looking for in a Christmas episode. The episode also introduced a Dutch Baby to tons of Bob's Burgers fans so that's worth a mention. While some might have different opinions, "Christmas in the Car" is an incredible episode and one I always revisit year after year.
Regardless of which kind of Christmas episode you're looking for, Bob's Burgers has a little bit of something for everyone. Every year, I do a rewatch of all the Christmas episodes with some of my favorites being "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas," "Christmas in the Car" and "God Rest Ye Gentle-Mannequins." No matter which episodes you decide to watch, you're bound to have a holly-jolly time.
All of the Bob's Burgers Christmas episodes are currently streaming on Hulu.