The Definitive Ranking: 7 SNL Sketches That Truly Define The 'Best Christmas Ever'
Every year, as the holiday season approaches, the quest for the "Best Christmas Ever" begins, and for millions of viewers, that phrase immediately conjures up one thing: the iconic and painfully relatable sketches from Saturday Night Live. The term "Best Christmas Ever SNL" is now synonymous not just with one sketch, but with a whole genre of holiday comedy that captures the chaos, the sentimentality, and the sheer absurdity of the most wonderful time of the year. This year, as we look forward to the December 2025 holiday special, it’s the perfect time to revisit the sketches that have earned this legendary status, starting with the one that literally bears the name.
The brilliance of Saturday Night Live’s holiday humor lies in its ability to skewer cherished traditions while still maintaining an underlying warmth. From the stress of parental obligations to the awkwardness of family gatherings, these moments have become essential viewing, cementing their place in the pantheon of Christmas pop culture. We’re diving deep into the definitive list of sketches that collectively make up the show's "Best Christmas Ever" legacy, complete with the cast members, the catchphrases, and the cultural impact that makes them endure.
The Sketch That Started the Search: "Best Christmas Ever" (2018)
The sketch that most directly answers the search query "Best Christmas Ever SNL" is the 2018 classic featuring host Matt Damon and cast member Cecily Strong. The premise is deceptively simple: a married couple is relaxing on the couch after the kids have gone to bed, reminiscing about their perfect Christmas Day.
- The Premise: Damon and Strong play parents who, with a glazed-over, exhausted smile, recount the day’s events. The humor comes from the stark contrast between the cheerful words they speak and the horrifying, stressful reality they are describing.
- The Reality: Strong's character describes the moment she "just quietly snapped" while assembling a toy, and Damon's character recalls the sheer dread of having to charge new electronics and manage the inevitable meltdowns.
- Why It Endures: This sketch resonated instantly with parents everywhere because it perfectly captured the true, non-Hallmark version of a family Christmas—a day of pure, exhausting, yet ultimately rewarding, chaos. It's a modern holiday classic that redefined the meaning of the "best Christmas ever" as a survival story.
This single sketch, though relatively recent, is a masterclass in observational comedy, earning its spot as the anchor of any SNL holiday retrospective. It’s a powerful reminder that the best Christmas memories are often forged in the fires of parental stress.
The Unforgettable Classics: Three Decades of Holiday Hilarity
While the Damon/Strong sketch may have the title, the overall "Best Christmas Ever SNL" experience is built upon a foundation of timeless, boundary-pushing sketches that span multiple generations of cast members. These are the moments that get replayed every year on the NBC "A Saturday Night Live Christmas" special.
1. Delicious Dish: Schweddy Balls (1998)
No discussion of SNL Christmas sketches is complete without the legendary "Schweddy Balls." Hosted by Alec Baldwin, the sketch features NPR hosts Margaret Jo McCullin (Ana Gasteyer) and Terry Rialto (Molly Shannon) interviewing Baldwin’s character, Pete Schweddy, a baker known for his holiday dessert.
- The Comedy: The entire joke revolves around the endless, deadpan repetition of the phrase "Schweddy Balls," with the hosts maintaining a high level of polite professionalism despite the double entendre.
- Key Cast: Alec Baldwin, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon.
- Topical Authority: This sketch is arguably the most famous and most quoted SNL holiday moment, perfectly blending highbrow NPR parody with lowbrow wordplay.
2. D*** in a Box (2006)
A sketch that defined a generation of digital comedy, "D*** in a Box" is an undeniable part of the "Best Christmas Ever SNL" canon. The R&B parody music video, starring Andy Samberg and host Justin Timberlake as two overly-serious boy-band members, became a viral sensation long before viral was the norm.
- The Premise: The two singers present their foolproof, three-step plan for the perfect Christmas gift: 1) Cut a hole in a box, 2) Put your junk in that box, and 3) Make her open the box.
- Cultural Impact: Produced by The Lonely Island, this sketch won an Emmy and propelled the careers of Samberg and Timberlake, proving that the riskiest comedy could yield the biggest rewards.
3. I Wish It Was Christmas Today (2000-Present)
This simple, recurring sketch is pure, unadulterated holiday joy. It features four cast members—originally Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan—singing a simple, repetitive holiday tune while swaying awkwardly.
- The Appeal: The charm is in its low-effort, high-energy performance, particularly Horatio Sanz's infectious, childlike enthusiasm. It has become a beloved tradition, with the original cast reuniting for special appearances over the years, including on The Tonight Show.
- LSI Keyword: Recurring Sketch.
The Modern and The Deep Cuts: Expanding the Holiday Canon
To truly appreciate the full scope of SNL's holiday greatness, we must look beyond the most famous sketches and recognize the brilliance of deep cuts and more recent additions that continue to define the "Best Christmas Ever" for new audiences. The show's ability to constantly reinvent its holiday takes is what keeps it fresh, even into its 51st season.
4. Glengarry Glen Christmas: Elf Motivation (2013)
This sketch is a masterful parody of the intense, hyper-masculine sales meeting from the film Glengarry Glen Ross, but with Santa's elves. Alec Baldwin returned as a motivational speaker to berate a group of demoralized elves (played by Bobby Moynihan, Taran Killam, and others) for their poor toy production numbers.
- The Humor: The juxtaposition of the foul-mouthed, high-stakes sales pitch with the whimsical world of Santa's workshop is a stroke of genius. It’s a perfect example of SNL's ability to mash-up pop culture references.
5. (Do It on My) Twin Bed (2013)
This digital short perfectly captures the uncomfortable reality of returning home for the holidays as an adult. Cast members Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Cecily Strong, and others sing a soulful R&B tune about the awkwardness of bringing a significant other home and having to "do it on my twin bed" in their childhood bedroom, with their parents just down the hall.
- The Relatability: The sketch hits all the familiar beats: the childhood posters, the tiny bed, and the constant fear of making too much noise. It’s a modern, female-led holiday anthem.
6. Christmastime for the Jews (2005)
A brilliant animated short that offers a much-needed counterpoint to the Christian-dominated holiday programming. Created by Robert Smigel and featuring the voice of Darlene Love, the short humorously depicts what Jewish people do on Christmas Day—namely, enjoying the fact that everything is empty and they have the run of the city.
- The Message: It’s a hilarious and inclusive celebration of the alternative holiday experience, featuring Jewish characters enjoying Chinese food and going to the movies, all while a powerful, gospel-style song plays.
- LSI Keyword: Hanukkah, Holiday Special.
7. You're a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown (1990)
A classic from the early 90s, this sketch parodies the beloved but often melancholy Peanuts Christmas special. The sketch features a darker, more cynical take on the characters, with the main joke being the aggressive, hostile nature of the Peanuts gang toward Charlie Brown.
- Key Cast: Mike Myers (as Charlie Brown), Phil Hartman, and Dana Carvey.
- Why It’s a Classic: It’s a perfect example of the show’s willingness to take a sacred cow of pop culture and give it a hilariously mean-spirited twist, proving that the best holiday comedy often comes from subverting expectations.
From the parental exhaustion of "Best Christmas Ever" to the musical genius of "D*** in a Box" and the timeless absurdity of "Schweddy Balls," the legacy of SNL's holiday sketches is rich, varied, and perpetually funny. They are the true gift that keeps on giving, ensuring that every year can feel like the "Best Christmas Ever" for fans of comedy.
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