All 6 ‘Modern Family’ Christmas Episodes, In Order

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Christmas episodes are a highlight of many TV sitcoms. Often, these episodes allowed classic shows to try something new, offering heartwarming stories and exploring themes not usually seen during the regular season. However, Modern Family stands out. As a mockumentary following a large, quirky California family, its Christmas episodes don’t feel like standalone specials—they build on the show’s ongoing story and feel like a natural extension of the series.

For 11 seasons, Modern Family successfully kept the elements that made it popular, including its beloved Christmas episodes. Surprisingly, the show actually featured more Halloween episodes than Christmas ones – there are only 6 total! If you’re planning a festive marathon, we’ve listed all the Modern Family Christmas episodes in order, and highlighted our favorites.

6
“Undeck the Halls”

Season 1, Episode 10


ABC

The very first Christmas episode of the series took a simple, reliable approach. Instead of forcing everyone into a single plot, the writers allowed each family member to have their own story, emphasizing their usual personalities within the festive holiday atmosphere. In “Undeck the Halls,” the Dunphys face a crisis when a cigarette burn is discovered on the couch, and Phil and Claire jokingly threaten to cancel Christmas unless someone admits to causing it. However, Phil unexpectedly follows through with every threat he’s ever made.

Cam and Mitchell want to create a magical first Christmas for Lily, but their efforts hilariously backfire when they get Santa Claus fired from his mall job. They feel so bad they end up taking him in for the holidays. Meanwhile, Jay, Gloria, and Manny are stuck in a debate over how to celebrate Christmas – with Colombian traditions or American ones. Jay keeps getting tricked in a Colombian game called “Inocente!” (similar to April Fool’s Day) and isn’t happy about it, since it feels like a prank out of season.

This episode was strong thanks to the funny and heartwarming Dunphy family plot, the hilarious dynamic between Cam and Mitchell, and Jay getting involved in the fun. It really set the stage for future Christmas episodes of Modern Family and showed viewers what to expect.

5
“Express Christmas”

Season 3, Episode 10


ABC

Many fans consider the second Modern Family Christmas episode to be a standout. It’s great because it brings all three branches of the family together in an unusual Christmas scenario. The episode starts with everyone at Jay and Gloria’s house realizing they won’t be able to celebrate Christmas together due to conflicting plans. This inspires Phil to come up with a solution: a last-minute “Express Christmas,” where they quickly prepare everything on the very same day.

Luke and Gloria are on the hunt for the perfect tree topper, while Haley and Claire tackle the gift shopping. Mitchell and Alex are in charge of getting the tree itself, and Phil and Manny head to the grocery store. Unfortunately, none of their plans quite go smoothly, and their attempt at a quick ‘Express Christmas’ doesn’t unfold as expected. But, as often happens in the best episodes of Modern Family, it still offers a heartwarming and insightful look at family dynamics – a quality that makes the show so reliably comforting and enjoyable for viewers.

4
“The Old Man and the Three”

Season 5, Episode 10


ABC

“The Old Man and the Three” weaves together a few different storylines during the holiday season. Phil attempts to beat a record at the gym, Claire connects with Gloria’s mother but sparks some jealousy in Gloria, and Haley and Alex have a chaotic time working as Santa’s helpers. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Lily accidentally stumble into a charity event. One memorable scene involves Mitchell arriving at a party with gifts for a quirky “12 Gays of Christmas” celebration, and Cam generously donating presents to charity. The episode features humorous moments, like a child curiously asking about Robert Mapplethorpe, capturing the blend of heartwarming and funny situations.

While not a total loss, ‘The Old Man and Three’ isn’t one of the stronger episodes in the series. It feels like the show strayed from what makes it great, trying to do too much at once and disrupting the usual smooth storytelling and character interactions fans love. The episode splits the characters into separate storylines, and unfortunately, not all of them quite capture the Christmas spirit.

3
“White Christmas”

Season 7, Episode 9


ABC

Many fans consider “White Christmas” to be the funniest and best Christmas episode of Modern Family. It’s unique because it brings the entire family together in a single location and perfectly balances humor with heartfelt moments, which the show was known for. The episode centers around Gloria’s desire to experience a traditional, snowy Christmas in America – as she puts it, “like white people have.” However, her weather predictions are off, and the mountain cabin turns out to be surprisingly hot, but the family tries to make the best of it anyway.

Andy joins the family trip because he’s secretly dating Haley. Cam also surprises everyone by letting a guest stay with them for Christmas. Meanwhile, Jay announces his retirement and playfully tells Claire she won’t be taking over as CEO of the family business. Luke and Manny attempt to scare Lily with a spooky story, but it backfires, and the episode includes a fun nod to the movie The Shining.

The episode ends on a high note and feels completely in line with the show’s overall style. Andrea Martin, known for her role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, is hilarious as the unexpected visitor. It’s a great episode that gives each of the series’ main characters a chance to really stand out.

2
“Stuck in a Moment”

Season 10, Episode 10


ABC

In “Stuck in a Moment,” Haley struggles with when to share her pregnancy news with her family. Meanwhile, Jay, Gloria, and Manny receive a shipment from Colombia that includes a surprising (and chaotic) guest: a banana spider that can operate the TV and takes up residence in their Christmas tree. The festivities then shift to the Dunphy’s house, but a potential house sale complicates things. Phil tries to impress buyers by moving their tree and gifts, but Claire resists. Elsewhere, Cam and Mitchell take their nephew Cal to meet Santa at the mall, hoping for a special Christmas moment. However, Santa holds a grudge against Mitchell and refuses to share Cal’s Christmas wish with them.

The Modern Family episode “Stuck in a Moment” is often considered one of the show’s best ‘dad’ episodes. It’s also a strong Christmas episode, bringing all the different family stories together for the mid-season finale of a later season. The episode ends happily with Haley announcing her pregnancy to the family, prompting a variety of reactions. It’s a particularly touching episode for fans, as it was one of the last Christmas episodes in the entire series.

1
“The Last Christmas”

Season 11, Episode 9


ABC

In the Modern Family episode “The Last Christmas,” Cam and Mitchell struggle to arrange seating for Christmas dinner due to family tensions. Meanwhile, Mitchell is confused by Cam’s desire for a solo trip, Haley starts drinking wine again after stopping breastfeeding, and Manny and Luke argue over a girl. Jay also pressures Claire to take a more active role in his dog bed business. The episode’s strongest moment comes when Cam reveals the real reason for his trip, leading to a family-wide panic about a potential disaster. The final scene, a chaotic family photo with everyone wearing goofy outfits, perfectly captures the show’s heartwarming and humorous spirit.

“The Last Christmas” episode offers a poignant look at what would be Modern Family’s final holiday special. Beyond simply being from the show’s penultimate season, the episode is crafted to feel like a goodbye to the tradition of family celebrations. While it might not be a top-tier episode overall, it beautifully captures the heartwarming spirit of the holidays and being together.

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2025-11-30 03:37