Even if it's pipped to the post by the superior Christmas special of the UK version of The Office, the US version isn't far behind, with its first Christmas episode easily being the best of its entire 9-season run so far. Arguably the highlight is how Secret Santa unfolds; Michael buys Ryan an iPod, but when Michael himself get stuck with a crappy oven mit, he initiates "Yankee Swap" rules, whereby people can elect to take someone else's gifts, causing everyone to essentially start fighting over the iPod. Compounding this is Jim's frustration that the present he put a lot of thought into for his love interest, Pam, could end up in the wrong hands. Even when Pam finally gets it - it's a teapot with a note in from him - he decides to sneak the note into the pocket, so she doesn't learn how he feels. Another great moment occurs when Michael realises that he's killing the vibe of the party, so he buys an absurd amount of alcohol to make sure that everyone still has fun. This results in Meredith trying to get naked, and it's vile, but absolutely hilarious. No other Office episode has evoked the Christmas spirit so well.
