The Ultimate Collection of Beloved Holiday Episodes from Everybody Loves Raymond

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Everybody Loves Raymond holiday episodes showcase hectic family gatherings during Thanksgiving and Christmas, filled with conflict and drama, often in a hilarious fashion.

The episodes showcase the continuing conflict between Debra and Marie, Ray's parents, as they clash and cause tension during holiday gatherings. The addition of new characters such as Robert's wife Amy and the MacDougall family brings both comedy and drama to the mix, providing Debra with some relief while also making the holiday gatherings eventful.

The holiday episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas, each season featuring an episode dedicated to these holidays. Premiering in 1996, the CBS sitcom stars Ray Romano as Ray Barone, a sportswriter caught between his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and his parents who live across the street (Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle). His brother Robert (Brad Garrett) also adds to the family dynamic. The show's portrayal of family conflict makes it a relatable setting to depict the chaos of the holidays. The episodes often revolve around conflict between Ray's parents, particularly his mother Marie, and Debra, resulting in chaotic Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Later seasons introduce new characters such as the MacDougall family, adding new layers of drama and humor to the holiday gatherings.

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12. "Turkey Or Fish"

Season 1, Episode 10 - Thanksgiving

11. "All I Want For Christmas"

Raymond's first season was still finding its footing, with standout moments like the pilot and the entertaining Thanksgiving special. Debra's attempt to start a new tradition with a fish dinner for the extended family resulted in plenty of funny moments. However, Marie's unexpected arrival with a turkey added humor and family drama to the mix. When a mishap with the fish preparation occurs, Debra's distress is further heightened.

Season 2, Episode 12 - Christmas

Ray and Debra frequently experience the challenging reality of living opposite Ray's overbearing parents. This is exemplified in season 2's "All I Want for Christmas." As the couple prepares to host a Christmas morning celebration, they are confronted with the imminent arrival of the family. Despite the inconvenient timing, Ray decides to take advice from a coworker to ignite some romance with Debra. This decision leads to a series of awkwardly humorous scenes as they navigate the already challenging presence of Ray's parents.

10. "No Fat"

Season 3, Episode 10 - Thanksgiving

9. "The Toaster"

Celebrating Thanksgiving with a gelatinous tofu turkey is the focus of this health-conscious holiday episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. Marie's attempt to combat high cholesterol leads to amusing drama and memorable moments, showcasing a more sympathetic side of her character.

Season 3, Episode 12 - Christmas

8. "No Thanks"

There are numerous hilarious scenes featuring Frank and Marie in Everybody Loves Raymond. Despite being a Christmas special centered around gift-giving, this particular episode stands out for the comedic performances of Ray's eccentric parents. As many fans know, the couple is not always enthusiastic about receiving presents from their family. Unfortunately for Ray, this means that the personalized toaster he gave them is returned without even being opened. What ensues is a display of humorous antics from Frank and Marie as they attempt to exchange the unique item at the department store.

8. "No Thanks"

Season 4, Episode 9 - Thanksgiving

7. "The Christmas Picture"

The ongoing Debra-Marie rivalry often leads to a series of comical and cringe-worthy moments. In Season 4's "No Thanks," this dynamic is once again highlighted through a Thanksgiving-themed storyline centered around Debra's attempt to deal with Marie's subtle insults. As the two women spend the day cooking together, it is almost certain that snide remarks and backhanded comments will be exchanged. Debra decides to handle the situation by brushing off the insults and responding with kindness. However, her efforts mostly result in unintended consequences, adding to the tension between Ray's wife and his mother.

Season 4, Episode 11 - Christmas

The episode's humorous photo perfectly captures the drama and family conflicts that unfold. It's a simple yet banter-filled installment that revolves around Marie's cherished Christmas picture. With the presence of Debra's parents, Ray and Robert's rivalry, and clashes between Debra and Marie, things quickly spiral out of control. As they debate which family should host Christmas, Ray attempts to keep the peace, but the situation doesn't quite pan out as planned.

6. "Fighting In-Laws"

Season 5, Episode 9 - Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving special, "Fighting In-Laws," delivers a classic series moment. In this episode, it's not Ray's parents, but Debra's parents who take center stage. Ray accidentally overhears some personal details about his in-laws, learning that their relationship is on the rocks and they are seeking marriage counseling. This revelation leads to a memorable outburst from Debra, who is frustrated to discover that her parents aren't as perfect as she had always believed them to be, especially compared to Ray's. The scene unfolds with Debra attempting to storm off angrily while struggling to handle a turkey, resulting in a comical and chaotic display of her slipping and sliding around with the bird.

5. "Christmas Present"

Season 5, Episode 11 - Christmas

Ray's unpleasant conduct and sneaky tactics really detract from the overall quality of this Christmas special. Despite this, it still manages to deliver some genuinely humorous moments that are sure to elicit some uneasy laughter. The plot revolves around Ray's attempt to buy Debra an impressive gift in exchange for permission to go golfing with his friends. Ironically, this backfires and causes Ray to become suspicious of Debra's intentions when she presents him with a DVD player and some movies. Although this episode dates back to 2000, good comedy is timeless, and there is plenty to enjoy in this entertaining escapade.

4. "Older Women"

Season 6, Episode 9 - Thanksgiving

Despite the holiday themes taking a backseat, this season 6 episode still delivers entertainment and humor. Debra's parents showcase their comedic talent in this story about a newly divorced couple and an older woman as the new date. With a cast of great Everybody Loves Raymond side characters, there's plenty of awkward hilarity, including a comical conversation between the Barone men and Debra's father on the couch as they question the union.

3. "Season's Greetings"

Season 6, Episode 12 - Christmas

Even through the guise of a festive Christmas card, Marie managed to slip in a few jabs at Debra. This particular episode centers around a controversial Christmas letter from Marie, in which she not only criticizes Debra but also Robert. Despite Marie's ironic attempt to portray her family in a positive light, her words leave others feeling offended and self-conscious. The situation unfolds in a comical manner, as a seemingly innocent letter causes drama and humorous exchanges, but considering it's Marie, it's not entirely surprising.

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2. "The Thought That Counts"

Season 7, Episode 11 - Christmas

Gift-giving is often more about the effort, ideas, and intentions behind the gift rather than the gift itself. In the case of Ray's Christmas gift to Debra, the idea is not his own, but rather comes from his brother Robert, who seems to have an unspoken infatuation with Debra. Debra is delighted by the gift, which reignites the rivalry between Ray and his brother at a rather inappropriate time. Robert confesses in front of both Debra and Amy that the idea for the gift was his. This confession leads to both humorous and tense moments.

1. "The Bird"

Season 8, Episode 9 - Thanksgiving

The later seasons of Everybody Loves Raymond bring even more comedy to the screen with the introduction of Amy's uproarious family. The Thanksgiving episode showcases the comedic talents of Fred Willard, Georgia Engel, and Chris Elliott as the Barones continue to shine. The episode cleverly explores the entertaining rivalry between the Barones and the MacDougalls, highlighting their differences. The tension and banter escalate, particularly when it is revealed that Pat has accidentally killed a lame bird.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I grew up watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond with my family. The show's humor is timeless, and the holiday episodes are some of my favorites. I love the way the show portrays the chaos and drama of family gatherings, and the way the characters always manage to find a way to come together in the end. The Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes are especially heartwarming, and they always put me in a good mood.

I think what makes Everybody Loves Raymond so special is that it's so relatable. Everyone can relate to the characters and the situations they find themselves in. The show is also very well-written, and the jokes are always clever and funny. I highly recommend Everybody Loves Raymond to anyone who is looking for a good laugh. The holiday episodes are a great place to start, but the entire series is worth watching.