Welcome to Day 15 of our 25 Days of Nostalgia series!
If you were a kid in the 80s or 90s, Christmas wasn’t just about presents and food (though let’s be real, they were top tier).
It was also about those moments on the sofa (or the spot on the floor, because kids weren’t supposed to be on the sofa), usually after stuffing yourself with Yorkshire puddings and a suspicious amount of Quality Street, when the TV became your portal to Christmas magic.
Back then, the schedules were packed with unforgettable Christmas specials and reruns, each one a special moment in their own right. These classics were more than just entertainment—they were tradition.
14 of the Best Christmas TV Specials from the 80s & 90s
Here’s a rundown of some of the best 80’s & 90’s Christmas TV shows from that golden era.
How many do you remember?
Table of Contents
Only Fools and Horses – Christmas Specials
No 80s or 90s Christmas was complete without a Del Boy and Rodney escapade. Whether it was ‘Rodney, you plonker!’ or Del Boy dressed as Batman, these specials were iconic. The 1996 episode Time on Our Hands, where Del Boy finally became a millionaire, was watched by over 24 million people and remains one of the most memorable moments in British TV history.
It’s funny—my family didn’t really watch Only Fools and Horses much at Christmas, but I’ve added it to my binge rota with the wife in more recent years. The Peckham Springs episode is an all-time classic; you can’t beat the image of Del flogging ‘mineral water’ from the kitchen tap.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol
This was something special. A clever twist on Dickens’ classic, it flipped the script with Ebenezer Blackadder starting off as a kind, generous man, only to embrace his inner cynic by the end.
As a kid, I didn’t get the jokes at all. To be honest, I thought it was a boring show for old farts.
Now, as an adult, I wish one of my parents had taken the time to explain the jokes the way I do with my kids. The satire and wit are absolute gold, and Rowan Atkinson was at his sharpest.
‘Allo ‘Allo Christmas Specials
The Christmas episodes of ‘Allo ‘Allo were full of mangled accents, ridiculous misunderstandings, and René somehow dodging the Gestapo again.
It was classic British comedy at its silliest, and I’d bet most parents were secretly quoting ‘Good moaning!’ while pretending they weren’t fans. It wasn’t a tradition in my house, though—it’s one I’ve yet to sit down and explore properly, maybe in the next decade or so.
The Vicar of Dibley – The Christmas Lunch Incident (1996)
Dawn French was an absolute treasure as Geraldine Granger, and this episode has to go down as one of the best Christmas TV moments of the 90s.
Watching Geraldine try to eat her way through multiple Christmas dinners had us groaning with second-hand indigestion.
Some of my own Christmases were just as mental, especially the ones spent in Romania. Lunch with Grandma would turn into afternoon drinks with an uncle, dinner with second cousins, and by the time you hit midnight mass, you’d already polished off a plate of mici and chips. It was chaos, but it was brilliant.
Top of the Pops Christmas Special
The Christmas Day edition of Top of the Pops was an institution. You’d hear the same festive hits every year, with Cliff Richard’s Mistletoe and Wine getting more airtime than you thought possible.
I’ll admit, though, it wasn’t a tradition in my house. While other families might’ve been singing along or arguing over the remote, we tended to skip it entirely. That said, those festive jumpers the presenters wore were crimes against fashion—hard to forget those.
Father Ted – A Christmassy Ted (1996)
Father Ted’s Christmas special, featuring a group of priests trapped in a lingerie department, has to be one of the most bizarre holiday plots ever. It was equal parts awkward and hilarious, and the dry wit was absolutely top-notch.
As a kid, it mostly went over my head, but as an adult, it’s become one of those shows I wish I’d discovered earlier. ‘Would you like a cup of tea, Father?’ has made it into in to my echolalia rota with the wife whenever we’re making a brew.
Mr Bean – Merry Christmas Mr Bean (1992)
There’s just something about Mr Bean that hits differently at Christmas. Rowan Atkinson’s physical comedy was brilliant, from getting his head stuck in a turkey to assembling a Nativity scene with dinosaurs and Daleks.
Mr Bean was huge in our house—so much so that it’s become a tradition in my family now. The kids and I binge-watch every episode over the holidays, and one year, they even asked if you could really make Twiglets using branches and Marmite.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
Men Behaving Badly – Jingle Balls (1997)
For a slightly more grown-up slice of Christmas TV, you couldn’t go wrong with Men Behaving Badly. Gary and Tony stumbling their way through festive shenanigans, complete with pints and dodgy presents, somehow felt quintessentially 90s.
It wasn’t exactly family viewing, but I remember sneaking a peek from the stairs one Christmas and catching a glimpse of what all the fuss was about.
The Brittas Empire Christmas Special – Surviving Christmas (1996)
Chris Barrie’s neurotic leisure centre manager, Gordon Brittas, was the heart of The Brittas Empire, and the Christmas episodes are incredibly well rated.
It’s one of those shows I’ve yet to watch properly, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a perfect slice of 90s absurdity.
Noel’s Christmas Presents
You can’t talk about Christmas TV without mentioning Noel Edmonds. His Christmas specials were the ultimate festive cheese—heartwarming surprises, over-the-top reactions, and guaranteed waterworks.
I wasn’t as invested as the rest of the family; I was far more focused on devouring chocolates from the Christmas tin. Still, Noel had a way of bringing the spirit of the season into every living room.
Stars in Their Eyes – Christmas Special
‘Tonight, Matthew, I’m going to be…’ Glittery costumes, dramatic smoke machine entrances, and heartfelt performances made this a Christmas favourite for so many families.
It was so over the top, but that was part of the charm. My family absolutely loved it—we’d watch and cheer for the best performers every time.
Wallace and Gromit – The Wrong Trousers (1993)
Alright, technically not Christmas-specific, but Wallace and Gromit felt so Christmassy. Watching them bumble through their stop-motion adventures was as much a tradition as dodgy crackers. The Wrong Trousers’ penguin villain, Feathers McGraw, still haunts my dreams.
The Snowman (1982)
Now, let’s take it down a notch. This one wasn’t just a TV show; it was a moment. (I know we’ve already covered it twice this series under the Christmas Cartoons & Christmas Movies posts, but here we are again).
The Snowman was like an emotional gut punch wrapped in soft animation and haunting music.
Every kid I knew was glued to the screen for Walking in the Air but absolutely gutted by the ending. Christmas wasn’t Christmas without a bit of existential snowman heartbreak, right?
Special Mentions
Eurotrash Christmas Specials
Alright, I’ve got a confession to make, and it’s one that could revoke my ‘wholesome Christmas nostalgia’ card: we need to talk about Eurotrash. Specifically, those Christmas Specials that somehow wormed their way into my festive traditions.
My dad was snoring on the sofa by 10pm, so I’d stealthily commandeer the remote, and Channel 4 would light up the living room with Lolo Ferrari and a cavalcade of questionable festive cheer.
Every time my dad stirred awake, I’d sit there wide-eyed, pretending I had no idea what was happening. “Oh, this? Just some French… uh… news?”
I knew exactly what was happening. Eurotrash probably had no business being part of anyone’s Christmas memories, but hey, it was the 90s—if your festive season didn’t include at least one mildly scarring moment of late-night TV, were you even doing it right?
Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas (1987)
This forgotten gem of the 80s deserves its place in the festive hall of fame. I’d completely forgotten about it when writing the article but it dawned on me today! (16th)
Julie Andrews brought something absolutely amazing to our TV screens, completely bursting with holiday cheer in this musical Christmas special.
Packed with timeless carols, dazzling performances, and an atmosphere of true holiday magic. For anyone who remembers it—or is discovering it for the first time—it’s worth a watch. Our kids adore The Sound of Music and while it’s not your modern day “traditional” Christmas show, it was definitely a special to remember!
Tune in Tomorrow
Which of these classics brings back the most Christmas memories for you? Did I miss one of your festive favourites, or are there any that you’re introducing to your own kids?
Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this list with anyone who loves a good dose of nostalgic Christmas telly!
After all, one of the best parts of Christmas is passing on the traditions—dodgy late-night TV choices and all.
Oh and tune in tomorrow for day 16 of our Advent series!
