Who hasn’t wanted to jump into a television Christmas special or episode purely for the awesome decor, gorgeous destination, and perfect family?
Just in time for the most stressful, errr… wonderful time of the year, we’ve collected the 23 loveliest television households we could think of to spend your winter festival of choice with!
Related: Downton Abbey Movie: First Footage!
From futuristic interstellar adventures to the halls of Downton Abbey, winter holidays bring out the very best (eventually) in the families of the TV-verse.
So whether you’re looking for a family full of laughs or some quiet moments of camaraderie or just a really amazing house with a kick-ass tree to sit next to, they’re all here.
No word of a lie, I’ve always thought my family Christmases would benefit from a better soundtrack and a well-timed laugh track.
The Winchesters — Supernatural
It would taken some heavenly intervention to get this clan together for the holidays but it would be a helluva party, don’t you think?
The Johnsons — black-ish
This is a family that throws a great party and, despite their differences, they have an awesome sense of togetherness that buoys the holiday spirit.
The Plunketts — Mom
It would be kid-friendly punch and sodas all around but Bonnie and Christy still have a joyful time when they celebrate with their program family (and Adam). Shenanigans guaranteed.
The Coopers — Young Sheldon
Some time-travelling required but you know Mary Cooper would have an amazing meal ready and MeeMaw would keep things interesting. Just don’t sit in Sheldon’s Spot.
The Vera Sisters — Charmed (2018)
You know that any holiday celebration in the Vera house is gonna be… wait for it… MAGICAL.
The McCords — Madam Secretary
Whether they spend the Yule in Washington D.C. or upstate somewhere, the McCords as a unit exemplify the love and stress and joy and fury of a typical family. If typical families came with Secret Service bodyguards.
The Goldbergs
What would Super Hanukkah be without a Hanukkah bush? Beverly Goldberg doesn’t see why Hanukkah can’t be as festive and raucous as Christmas and if renaming a few things makes her happy, more power to her!
The Tanner-Fullers — Fuller House
Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays in this gorgeous house in San Francisco with a family that coordinates as well as this bunch? Honestly, where do they find a tree like that in California?
The Khans — Doctor Who
The Who-verse isn’t known for deep or detailed family relationships. Most Companions are fairly footloose and fancy-free and, if they aren’t, their family members tend to tag along in the T.A.R.D.I.S. The most recent season broke with many traditions and one of the nicest things to come out of that was meeting Yaz’s family. Mum Najia is extremely capable and keen to put a name to everything, Hakim is a very easy-going dad in a house full of strong female personalities. Sister Sonya is highly observant, with a curious nature about her sister and Nani Umbreen sets a high standard for wit and wisdom, having lived an adventure-filled and ground-breaking life. Holidays with the Khans would be brilliant.
The Finns (and maybe Isaac) — The Orville
Dr. Claire Finn has had a family very much on her terms, raising two sons with no father and taking them to her postings on her pick of the Planetary Union’s fleet. She probably wouldn’t have predicted how her sons would take to Isaac, the Kaylon crew member, making him family by circumstance if not biology. However they celebrate holidays in the future, I suspect Dr. Finn makes sure her sons have a great time.
The Spellmans — Chilling Adventures of Sabringa
Another magical household, The Spellmans and all their hangers-on epitomize the saying,”May you live in interesting times.” As seen in the Solstice episode, even the innocent wish to spend some time with her mother, leads Sabrina into some crazy times. Who wouldn’t want a front row seat to that?
The Villanuevas — Jane the Virgin
For a family as deep in their faith as the Villanuevas are, Christmas is a truly spiritual time. We have seen how closely they hold to family and the love therein. Christmas-time amplifies that all a hundred-fold.
The Conners
This rebranding season came to a surprising mid-season announcement before the winter hiatus and one has to imagine that this Christmas will be one full of introspection and soul-searching in the Conner household.
The Byers — Stranger Things
Yeah, so Christmas lights have a totally different meaning in the Byers household for obvious reasons. But any holiday season where Joyce has both her boys with her safe and sound in one to celebrate, whether they decorate or not.
The Pearsons — This is Us
Whatever the timeline, this is Family with a capital “F” and a holiday gathering with them is guaranteed to inspire tears of joy.
The Crains — The Haunting of Hill House
It’s probably a little counter-intuitive but family is family and a family that has come through everything the Crain children have come through together can only be a stronger one, right?
Captain Holt, Kevin, & Cheddar — Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s anchor family is possibly television’s best example of both positive parenting and supportive marriage partnership. Every day in Cheddar’s world must feel like Christmas…
The Baxters — Last Man Standing
It’s a wonderful thing to realize that even in today’s political climate that a family with vastly differing views can still love and support each other. Considering the show’s quick resurrection, The Baxters have a lot to celebrate.
The Reagans — Blue Bloods
The Reagans are a large and raucous clan but their weekly family dinners harken back to a standard of tradition that speaks to the heart of many of us. Although the law doesn’t take a holiday, the Reagans take the spirit of the season to a whole different level.
The West-Allens — The Flash
This is a blended family with a tradition of having extremely important Christmas announcements. Their gatherings are joyful and cozy, loving and funny, and decorated perfectly. And with Joe and Cisco in the house, you can bet there will be caroling to die for.
The Clearys — The Kids Are Alright
It might be a bit crowded but a holiday visit with the Cleary family would be uniquely unforgettable.
The Hortons — Days of Our Lives
It’s hard to find a television family with more history than the Hortons who have been the core clan of Salem since it began airing in 1965. And through it all – demon possessions, evil twins, living burials – they somehow always come to each other for their Christmas celebration.
The Crawleys — Downton Abbey
No one does Christmas quite like the British and Lord Grantham’s household always puts their best foot forward when it comes to the Yuletide times. It would be quite the fantasy to holiday with the upper crust in all the splendor that that entails.
