The ’90s gave birth to a lot of iconic sitcoms, but Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the only one to feature the man, the legend, Will Smith. And like its contemporaries, the show had some Christmas episodes to celebrate the season. Here, we make sure ’tis really is your season to be jolly, as we rank all four Fresh Prince Christmas episodes. So grab your vivid 90’s clothing and backward caps – it’s time to head to Bel-Air…
4) Deck The Halls (Season 1, Episode 15)
The first Christmas episode introduces Will (and, by extension, the audience) to the Banks’ Christmas traditions. As it turns out, they’re not very Christmassy. However, it’s not just them – rather, the whole neighborhood of Bel-Air lacks the carols, lights, and decorations Will enjoyed in Philadelphia. Will realizes that Ashley, the Banks’ youngest child, hasn’t experienced a ‘proper’ Christmas with all the trimmings. Therefore, he sets out to change that.
Like a great deal of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Christmas episodes, Deck The Halls is funny. However, compared to the other entries in this ranking, it’s the least memorable. There’s a fun scene where Will and Ashley go to a posh decoration store and interact with a snot-nosed clerk whose Xmas stock is colorless and uninspiring. And watching Will learn about the lowkey nature of Bel-Air Christmas is amusing.
However, the show develops plenty after Season 1, its Christmas episodes included. It’s hard to recall much of what happens in this episode because it’s so tame compared to its successors. The ending has Will successfully decorate the house with Christmas extravagance (and if you like your decorations, you’ll dig that), but it isn’t the best Christmas Bel-Air has to offer.
Best Lines of the Episode:
Will: Come on, Ashley. Let’s write our letters to Santa.
Ashley: Will, don’t you have something better to do with your Christmas vacation than writing some silly letter?
Will: Come on, Ashley. You can help me with mine. How do you spell Vanessa Williams?
3) I, Ooh, Baby Baby (Season 6, Episode 11)
‘I, Ooh, Baby Baby’ is a different Christmas present than its predecessors. Rather than go for the values of family and goodwill, the show’s final seasonal episode explores the idea of finding happiness inside yourself as opposed to outside. And who better to center it on than the radical materialist herself, Hilarie Banks?
The episode follows her season character arc, having established her own TV Show. However, after an employee ends up having a baby on-set, Hilarie begins to rethink what makes her happy. She decides to have a baby! And, hilariously, her father, Philip, is horrified of her latest obsession – as are we.
While it’s not the best Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Christmas episode, ‘I, Ooh, Baby, Baby’ is funny in droves. Hilarie proves to be just as awkward a date as she is a show host, which leads to some amusing interactions. The episode gives Hilarie a love interest in the form of an attractive young doctor – their difference in personality makes their interactions hilarious. And when Hilarie isn’t providing the laughs, the childlike tree-decorating rivalry between Carlton and Ashley gives us some cute moments.
Hilary: So back to you. Any heart disease? Gingivitis? Midgets? Dr. Duane: No. Hilary: Any relatives in the circus? Dr. Duane: Uh, not that I know of. I mean I did have an uncle who was a clown. Hilary: Ew. Duly noted. Oh. Aren’t they so cute? You’re so lucky, you get to be around babies all the time.
2) ‘Twas the Night Before Christening (Season 4, Episode 14)
Baby Nicky is having a christening and Will is determined to channel the season’s goodwill to make it extra special. And what exactly is he getting as a christening present? Why only an exclusive performance by Boyz II Men!
Now, the fact Boyz II Men is featured is top-tier enough. However, the comedy gets going via Will’s attempts to convince them to do it. At first, he isn’t even allowed to enter the recording studio to see them but wins a brief conversation when he pretends to be somebody they know from Philly. Hilariously, it turns out he reminds them of someone who slept with their bandmate’s girlfriend.
However, Will’s sweet persistence pays off when he convinces them to do Nicky’s christening disguised as Santa. It’s a bit silly (that last part I mentioned being an obvious stick-out), but the whole episode is a good chuckle, and the iconic boyband’s ‘Let It Snow’ cover is top-notch. Too good to miss.
Best Lines of the Episode:
Carlton: Geoffrey, I need my Santa suit pressed. We can’t have Nicky thinking Kris Kringle doesn’t keep a sharp crease.
Geoffrey: Oh, but it’s all right for him to think Santa’s only three feet tall.
1) Christmas Show (Season 2, Episode 12)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air‘s second Christmas episode tops the whole list. Here, Will and the Banks clan take a vacation at a Utah Ski Lodge resort. The quick-witted teenager and his family are joined by his mother, who has found a new man, and one of their cousins. Hilariousness ensues.
The episode sets the stage for laughter by splitting up the kids and adults. While the adults attend a Christmas party, Will, Carlton, Hilary and Ashley stay behind in the Ski Lodge. However, the young gang has a run-in with a thief who ties them up and steals some valuables.
The incident leads to a heartwarming ending where the kids admit to being scared of the incident – even Will. After some coaxing, Will reluctantly admits he loves Carlton ending the episode as warmly as a Ski Lodge lounge fire. D’aww.
As usual, Will and Carlton’s sibling rivalry is a high point:
But that’s just our take. Do you agree to disagree with our listing of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Christmas episodes? What are your favorites?
Carlton Banks: [singing] Deck the slopes with babes in tight pants: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. Carlton’s gonna get some romance: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.
Will Smith: [singing] No, you’re not ’cause you’re too ugly: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. They’ll all be in my room, cute and snuggly: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
