With 50 years of sketches to look back on, itâs no wonder that itâs a hot topic as to which Saturday Night Live sketches are the best of all time. However, since itâs the holiday season, itâs the right time to try to round up the Christmas sketches that really shine from the decades-old live sketch comedy show.
From âDâ in a Boxâ to âGlengarry Glen Christmasâ to âYouâre a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown,â check out some of the best SNL sketches below. (And if youâre wondering where the Sweeney Sisters are, Marc Shaiman noted that the videos donât make it to YouTube for music rights issues â but he shared a clip on his own Instagram for the SNL Christmas sketch completit
âDâ in a Boxâ
Itâs pretty absurd, certainly raunchy, completely unexpected and extremely catchy, and thatâs what makes âDâ in a Boxâ not just one of of Saturday Night Liveâs best Christmas moments but most memorable sketches of all time. Helmed by Justin Timberlakeâs silky vocals and Andy Sambergâs quirky humor, plus Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiigâs itâs no wonder the song went viral when it aired back in 2006.
âI Wish It Was Christmas Todayâ
Jimmy Fallon broke (started giggling) almost the second this sketch kicked off, which was part of what made it such an instant classic. Co-starring Horatio Sanz, Chris Kattan and Tracy Morgan, the âI Wish It Was Christmas Todayâ first aired in season 26, but has been brought back several times over the years.
âBest Christmas Everâ
Matt Damon and Cecily Strong tapped into the realities of being a parent during Christmas Day in this sketch that aired when Damon hosted in 2018.
âHome for the Holidaysâ
And when Eddie Murphy hosted in 2019, he played a family patriarch showing the realities of having a full house during the holidays.
âGlengarry Glen Christmas: Elf Motivationâ
Alec Baldwin brought some of his Glengarry Glen Ross sass to the North Pole to motivate some very tired elves and remind them, âAlways. Be. Cobbling.â
âSanta Babyâ
You know that one person who didnât get the memo that Santa is not real? Now imagine how things awkward can get if they came to your holiday party with their equally delusional partner. Thatâs exactly what SNL did in this âSanta Babyâ sketch starring Ryan Gosling.
âNPRâs Delicious Dish: Schweddy Ballsâ
From the brilliant mind of Ana Gasteyer, this 1998 sketch was ahead of its time with its double entendres. The sketch sees Gasteyer and Molly Shannon play Margaret Jo McCullin and Terry Rialto, two NPR hosts who invite Pete Schweddy â played by Alec Baldwin â on their show to talk about his favorite holiday dessert.
âSteve Martinâs Holiday Wish Listâ
In this season 12 sketch, Steve Martin decides to use the tradition of making a Christmas wish list to his own benefit. The skit was so iconic, he brought it back when he hosted in 2009.
âDebbie Downer: Christmas Eve with Santa Clausâ
Not even Santa could get Debbie Downer to cheer up in this funny sketch starring Rachel Dratch and Jack Black.
âChristmas Miracleâ
While her friends Sharon (Cecily Strong) and Doug (Casey Affleck) are having a miraculous Christmas encounter with Santa, Kate McKinnonâs Ms. Rafferty is on a completely separate and extremely strange ride of her own.
âYouâre a Rat Bastard Charlie Brownâ
Tired of all the cheery family entertainment? This 2012 sketch encourages you to head to the theater and catch a sobering take on Charlie Brown with the fictitious New York Actorâs Studioâs Youâre a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown.
âChristmas Morningâ
Moms everywhere related to the loving but exasperated character Kristen Wiig plays in this musical sketch from 2021. Her kids and husband open up gift after gift, as it becomes obvious to her that she got one thing from all of them: A robe. On sale. Youâll be humming it to yourself as you try to get Christmas breakfast ready in, yep, your robe.
âChristmastime for the Jewsâ
As Adam Sandler pointed out in his legendary âHanukkah Song,â the glut of Christmas content this time of year can make the Jewish kids feel a little left out. This Darlene Love-sung TV Funhouse animation, in the style of Rankin/Bass cartoons, became an instantly iconic addition to the somewhat limited cultural canon.
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