Christmas isn't really Christmas unless it's filled with copious amounts of telly - with food and alcohol in equal measure - and everybody falls asleep by late afternoon, splayed across every sofa with party hats still in place, in a group-nap situation. For us Brits, the days leading up to, and immediately following, December 25th are national sofa-slouching days, very much encouraged and dictated by the great winter television on offer - the cold season has to be good for something... We have been lucky to enjoy an abundance of great Christmas specials over the holiday period, so we look back at a few of the best.
Gavin & Stacey
Our favourite romantic sitcom, BBC's Gavin & Stacey, written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, treated viewers to a Christmas Special on Christmas Eve in 2008. The episode was set in-between series two and three - by which time the show had amassed a hefty seven million viewers - and was bursting with comedic aplomb, catchphrases, British charm and iconic characterisation executed by an insanely talented cast.
The show revolves less around the titular love birds as it does their respective families when they cross paths at weddings, birthdays and other family occasions. In the Christmas Special everyone is invited to the Shipmans for the big day, but of course things don't run smoothly. Filled with plenty of Christmas spirit (and boozing) the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special is a family-favourite again and again.
Doctor Who
Even if you don't watch the BBC's long-standing sci-fi TV show Doctor Who regularly, you can be confident in knowing that you will enjoy the Christmas Special regardless. Although we loved Christopher Eccleston, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi's portrayals of the the Doctor since its revival in 2005, our favourite Time Lord is David Tennant: the 10th Doctor, from 2005-2010. Two of the best Christmas Specials starred him as the Doctor - alongside Catherine Tate in The Runaway Bride (2006) and with Kylie Minogue in Voyage of the Damned (2007).
At the beginning of The Runaway Bride the Doctor finds he is not alone in the TARDIS; he is joined by a panicked and demanding Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) in a wedding dress, who is late to her own wedding. This is the first time Tate appeared as the Doctor's new companion, and their first adventure together entailed fighting robot Santas - of course.
The Christmas Special that followed in 2007, Voyage of the Damned, borrowed from the story of Titanic, complete with 1920s costume and social class hierachy. However, this doomed cruiseliner is actually a spaceship flying over Earth. This time the Doctor has to contend with evil 'information' robots and alien intelligence, with the help of the (space)ship's maid, Astrid (Minogue).
The Office
The Office Christmas special (2003) was the two-part finale of the BBC mockumentary starring Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman and Lucy Davis. Set three years after the last episode in the second season took place, David Brent (Ricky Gervais) now sells cleaning products, Dawn is living with her fiance Lee in Florida, yet rather illegally, Gareth is now the boss, but nothing has changed for Tim - except he is without his allie, Dawn. In the Christmas special everyone gets back together, and Tim and Dawn are reunited...
Wallace And Gromit
The creators of the stop-motion animation Wallace and Gromit have produced some great shorts that are typically broadcast over the festive season. The Wrong Trousers (first aired on Boxing Day 1993) and A Close Shave (first aired on Christmas Eve in 1995) have both become family favourites.
Outnumbered
BBC's sitcom Outnumbered follows the lives of the Brockman family; Pete (Hugh Dennis) and Sue (Clare Skinner) have three children, Jake, Ben and Karen, who know how to test their defenceless parents. In the Christmas special (2012) the Brockmans attempt to host Christmas, but as predicted, it all goes a little wrong. The family are back on our screens for another one-off Christmas special this Boxing Day at 10pm on BBC One, but you'll be surprised how the little monsters are now giant sized. Twice the size as twice as much trouble? We're guessing so.
The Gruffalo
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The Gruffalo - an animation based on the children's picture book written by Julia Donaldson - was broadcast on Christmas Day in 2009. It tells the magical tale of a mouse (voice by James Corden) who enters into the woods in pursuit of a nut. Though along the way encounters predators such as a fox, an owl and a snake who all want to eat him. The mouse must outsmart them, so tells them he is on his way to meet the 'biggest' predator of them all - a 'gruffalo'. Unbeknown to the mouse, a Gruffalo does actually exist (voice by Robbie Coltrane), and the mouse comes face to face with it.
READ MORE: What To Watch This Christmas: A Guide To The Best Festive TV