A Very Merry Dunder Mifflin Christmas

HOW DUNDER MIFFLIN DOES THE HOLIDAYS

CHRISTMAS EPISODE CRIB NOTES

Christmas Party

SEASON 2

The first of the Christmas episodes set the tone for the seasons of holiday hilarity that followed. Without consulting the almighty Party Planning Committee, Michael decides to arrange a Secret Santa for everyone to participate in. Although there’s a $20 limit on all Secret Santa gifts, Michael blatantly ignores the rules and splurges on a video iPod (dropping at least $400) for Ryan.

Jim is excited to learn that he’s gotten Pam as his Secret Santa and fills a teapot with meaningful trinkets and a card revealing his feelings for her. Dwight, decked out as one of Santa’s elves, gathers the group around the tree to get the festivities started. However, things quickly take a turn for the worse when Michael is furious to find that he’s received a handmade oven mitt from Phyllis. In hopes of getting a gift more suited to his taste, he insists that the group play Yankee Swap.

Things continue to spiral when gifts suited specifically for one person, like a nameplate engraved with KELLY (obviously meant for Kelly Kapoor) and Jim’s special teapot for Pam, are being shifted around from colleague to colleague, all trying to trade up for Michael’s iPod.

In the end, Pam claims the iPod as her own and Jim is distraught to find that Dwight has taken the teapot to clean out his sinuses. Pam, however, has a change of heart when her fiancé Roy tells her that he was going to get her an iPod for Christmas anyway and is out of good gift ideas. She trades and gets the teapot back from Dwight, telling Jim that she did so because of all the effort he put in to spare his feelings.

Meanwhile, Michael is annoyed by the night’s turn of events, and buys 15 bottles of vodka, despite a strict alcohol-free party policy. The entire group (minus Angela) drinks and is merry, until a very intoxicated Meredith flashes Michael.

Benihana Christmas

SEASON 3

Season 3’s holiday gathering hits a bit of a snag when Michael is suddenly dumped by his girlfriend, Carol. Lonely and stuck with a romantic couples getaway to Sandals (Michael’s gift to Carol), he mopes around the office all day—until Andy moves into action to put a smile back on Michael’s face. His fix? A trip to Benihana. Andy and Jim insist that Michael accompany them to what they fondly call “Japanese Hooters,” and hilarity follows.

Andy and Michael spend their time drinking nog-a-sakes and flirting with the waitresses, while Dwight regales the chef with his knowledge of Japanese knives.

Back at the office, things aren’t so copacetic. There’s an uprising among the Party Planning Committee and a new committee forms—the Committee to Plan Parties, run by Pam and Karen. Dueling party themes divide the office. Angela has planned a classic Nutcracker theme, complete with sweets, treats, and a Tchaikovsky soundtrack, and forces Phyllis into giving her a hand.

Meanwhile, Pam and Karen have planned a Margarita and Karaoke Christmas, naturally the more popular theme for the Dunder Mifflin group. While the tequila and good times flow, Pam starts to feel slightly guilty about outshining Angela’s event. She asks to merge parties, and after a little convincing, Angela agrees.