Brian Baumgartner reflects on the Christmas episode of The Office.

According to Brian Baumgartnerthe success of “The Office” may just be its own Christmas miracle.

The actor, best known for his role as Kevin Malone, joined his former co-stars Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey in a special holiday bonus episode of their podcast “Office Ladies” to look back on the holiday episodes of their favorite sitcom and the impact they had.

Baumgartner, who starred on the hit NBC series from 2005 to 2013, reflected on how much his memories of the show’s holiday episodes are deeply connected to what happened “outside” the fictional world of The Office.

The actor admitted that he believes that the first Christmas episode of “The Office” was the turning point that brought the series success and cemented its place in television history.

“It’s about what happened on the street. And I’m sure you guys have talked or will talk about that very first Christmas episode,” he told Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey. “It didn’t start the show. This was not the first series of the show. But that episode really marked the beginning of the show’s success.”

“This episode was our biggest audience since it premiered,” he added of the season 2 episode “The Christmas Party.” “And from there, you know, Steve (Carell) wins a Golden Globe, three or four weeks later, things start to happen.”

“We’ve turned a corner,” chimed in Kinsey, who played Angela. – You know, at that moment we didn’t even have a full order for the season. And they started – after that it became clear that we will be around for some time.”

Fisher, who played Pam, recalled the holiday episodes as some of the most “joyous”. “We’re really in group party-like situations for most of the episode.”

“I’m sure it was very difficult to argue with us,” she added. “We were probably trying to make a TV show with a room full of 6-year-olds or something doing all of our duties.”

The first Christmas episode “Office”, titled “The Christmas Party” aired on December 6, 2005 during the show’s second season. Widely considered a favorite of the series, he is credited with helping to boost the series’ popularity.

The episode follows Michael Scott (Steve Carell) as he hosts an office Christmas party that quickly goes off the rails. Originally, the team was going to exchange thoughtful gifts through a game of Secret Santa, but Michael turns it into a chaotic Yankee Swap (White Elephant).

This creates tension, as some employees put considerable effort into their gifts, like Jim (John Krasinski), who gives Pam (Jenna Fisher) a teapot filled with souvenirs referencing their inside jokes. Others, like Michael, ignored the $20 gift limit, and Michael gave away a $400 iPod to show his generosity and get the team’s approval.

The episode highlights the quirky dynamics of the office, from Angela’s strict control over the Christmas tree to Kevin’s excitement over a gift in the bathtub. As the party progresses, Michael tries to lighten the mood by buying booze for the team, which leads to some hilariously awkward moments.

The episode strikes a balance between humor and heartbreak, building on Jim and Pam’s budding romance while showcasing Michael’s desperate need for validation. It has become a cultural touchstone and remains a holiday classic.

“The Christmas Party” was also a turning point for the series, showing how “The Office” could turn relatable workplace scenarios into comedic gold. It earned the show its first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series and was instrumental in building momentum during the second season, helping The Office become a mainstream hit.

The trio recalled a chaotic moment from a 2009 episode of “Secret Santa,” where Carell’s Michael Scott, dressed as Santa, sat on Kevin’s (played by Baumgartner) lap. Fisher shared that the cast couldn’t get through a scene without laughing.

“When you watch this episode, people are breaking in in the background,” Fisher said. “We’ve never, ever seen people stick together all the time long enough to actually put on a show. I think they just gave up. They said, “Forget it. That’s what it is.”