The Office – “Christmas Party”
Original airdate 12/6/05
Are you guys ready for some skin-crawlingly awkward holiday fun? Well, let me introduce you to a little thing called “Yankee Swap”. This Season Two episode set a new standard for awful Michael behavior and gives the entire staff a chance to shine. It also sets up some long-standing character development, including our first real indication that Creed is a little bit off. Also, it’s the first appearance of Bob Vance, who would go on to marry Phyllis in Season Four.The staff of Dunder-Mifflin is busy setting up for their Christmas party. This, as always, is the occasion for bitterness within the Party Planning Committee, which includes Ryan as a member for the first time. They did a Secret Santa exchange, which in my experience always means that you’re going to end up buying candles at some point. Jim drew Pam’s name (this was back in the “Secret Crush” phase of their relationship), and he got her a teapot, which he filled with little inside jokes for her. Oh, and that card where he tells her how he feels. As for Michael, he’s very excited to let everybody know that he spent way more than the $20 spending cap for one lucky employee. (Of course it’s Ryan. Don’t even act like you’re surprised.)
