Ah, to be a kid at the holidays, when cookies and gifts magically appear, and the countdown to December 25th is pure joy…

As an adult, Christmas Day can feel more like a looming deadline than the most wonderful day of the year, and getting into the festive spirit can be a struggle.

In years past, watching a holiday movie was one of my favorite ways to spark that merry and bright feeling, but lately, with a busier-than-usual schedule, a long to-do list, and a lingering cold, I’ve been craving the simplicity of childhood – including the early bedtimes!

I’m nostalgic for “appointment viewing” and the avidly anticipated annual television specials, like A Charlie Brown Christmas, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Bathed and dressed in holiday-themed pajamas, it felt special to be allowed the privilege of staying up late to eat dinner on my lap in front of the television.

This got me thinking: while the days of appointment viewing are over, all of my favorite sitcoms are available to stream anytime…so why not recreate that same feeling from childhood with a festive TV Sitcom Dinner?

No appointment is required, and oh what fun it will be to laugh along with old buddies like Liz Lemon, George Costanza, and the gang from Friends, while eating something cozy, and lap and sofa-friendly.

And so, here are 5 ideas for adults who are short on time and attention span, craving comfort food, and in need of a jolly good laugh…

When you’re in the mood for festive frivolity…

📺 Friends Season 6 Episode 10, “The One With The Routine” (22 minutes) Max
Monica and Ross’ childhood New Year's Eve dream comes true when they’re invited to be backup dancers at a recording of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, where they perform their middle school routine. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Rachel attempt to find gifts Monica has hidden, and Joey navigates his budding romance with guest star, Elle Macpherson.

For more festive Friends, here’s Vulture’s “definitive” ranking of Friends’ Christmas episodes.

📺 Modern Family Season 2 Episode 10, “Undeck the Halls” (21 minutes) Amazon Prime
Phil and Claire rashly decide to cancel Christmas to punish the kids, while Mitchell and Cam accidentally get a mall Santa fired, and Jay learns (yet again) to loosen up and embrace new traditions.

🍽️ Menu

Sliders
Peppermint Stick Ice Cream (or seasonal favorite of your choice!)

When you’re in the mood for seasonal snark…

📺 Seinfeld: Season 9 Episode 10, “The Strike” (23 minutes) Netflix
Considered a Seinfeld classic, we learn all about Festivus, the holiday Frank Costanza invented in response to (and in spite of) the commercialism of Christmas. In other storylines, Kramer goes back to work after a long-running strike; George invents a charity to avoid giving gifts; and Elaine’s fake phone number scheme is exposed.

📺 Arrested Development: Season 2 Episode 6, “Afternoon Delight” (30 minutes) Netflix
Gob, now President of The Bluth Company, loses his cool when he feels disrespected by staff at the annual company holiday party, which features a risqué karaoke performance by Michael and Maeby. In other storylines, Buster deploys his “Army” skills, and the Banana Stand is rebuilt not once, but twice.

🍽️ Menu

Easy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Croutons
Banana Split with all the fixings!

When you feel like making fun of end-of-year workplace shenanigans…

📺 30 Rock: Season 4 Episode 8 “Secret Santa” (30 minutes) Amazon Prime
Julianne Moore (with an awesome Boston accent) guest-stars as Jack’s long-lost high school crush; Liz and Jack compete to give the best gift for zero dollars; and the writing staff invents a holiday to get out of Kenneth’s annual Secret Santa.

📺 The Office: Season 3 Episode 10 “A Benihana Christmas” (42 minutes) Amazon Prime
When Angela’s sedate Nutcracker-themed holiday party is challenged by Pam and Karen’s rival margarita-and-karaoke-themed event, Dunder Mifflin staff must make a high-stakes choice. Meanwhile, Dwight is recruited for a secret CIA mission, and Michael attempts to heal his broken heart with eggnog/sake at the local Benihana…

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This line-up calls for your favorite takeout pizza and holiday-themed cupcakes.
Margaritas optional!

When you’re feeling sentimental (and a little romantic)…

📺 New Girl: Season 1, Episode 9, “The 23rd” (22 minutes) Hulu
Schmidt is the “sexy Santa” at his office party while Jess is torn as to her feelings for boyfriend, Paul (played by Justin Long). The episode ends on a heartwarming note when Nick gives Jess something she really wants…

📺 Gilmore Girls: Season 1 Episode 10: “Forgiveness and Stuff” (43 minutes) Netflix
When Lorelai is uninvited to the Gilmore’s annual Christmas party, it seems that the holiday will be sad and lonely. But a shocking turn of events leads to a happy Christmas after all.

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