With the end of finals season, it’s time to wind down, relax, and welcome in the new year. Amid the wonderful jumble of the holiday season, we could all use a little bit of comfort. What better way to celebrate a successful semester and bring comfort to the chaos than to binge-watch an entire series? I’m here to tell you the five most relaxing comfort shows to make your winter break even better.
Gilmore Girls
Where to Watch: Netflix
Arguably the most comforting show of all, Gilmore Girls is the perfect watch during the holiday season. Single mom Lorelei and prodigy daughter Rory navigate life in Stars Hollow, a small town in Connecticut. Lorelei explores the obstacles of adulthood while Rory deals with drama from school, her friends, and various boyfriends. The small-town comfort of holiday traditions, cozy diners, and endless charm makes Gilmore Girls the ultimate comfort show. With hilarious side characters like Sookie the chef (played by Melissa McCarthy), a Carole King theme song, and heartwarming plotlines, Gilmore Girls encapsulates the spirit and warmth of the holiday season while providing endless entertainment.
The OC
Where to Watch: Hulu, HBOMax
As the New Orleans weather starts to cool down, I already find myself missing the warmth. This early 2000s teen drama is an excellent way to distract from the dropping temperatures. Taking place in Newport Beach, California, the OC offers the ideal amount of drama and comedic relief from the cast, making it impossible to stop watching. Protagonist Ryan Atwood’s life is forever changed as his attorney takes him in and moves him from Chino to Orange County and into the home of the wealthiest family in Newport. He navigates a new school, new friends, and a new lifestyle alongside Newport’s elite. The OC was created by the same team that made shows like Gossip Girl and All American, making it a blend of all the most binge-watchable shows and an ideal watch for winter break.
How I Met Your Mother
Where to Watch: Hulu, PrimeVideo
How I met Your Mother follows the actions of Ted Mosby as he recounts the story of how he met his wife to his kids. The show features loveable characters, hilarious plots, and running jokes that make the nine seasons fly by. The story follows a friend group of five as they live their young adult lives in New York City, tackling obstacles in their jobs, their relationships, and for protagonist Ted Mosby, his search for love. The upbeat comedy is an unforgettable show to binge-watch over the break; it will deliver warmth, lightheartedness, and plenty of laughs.
Modern Family
Where to Watch: Hulu
Modern Family is one of my favorite comfort watches when I crave something familiar. With so many different characters making one blended family, there is a character for everyone and something relatable about each character. Watching the cast change and grow up throughout the seasons makes it feel like you are a part of the family and are growing up with them. The witty, heartwarming episodes are impossible to stop watching, making it the ultimate feel-good, binge-watchable show.
The Great British Bake Off
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Great British Bake Off is a fantastic show to binge-watch with the whole family. The great thing about this baking competition is that it is much more comforting than an American competition. Between the British accents and the delicious-looking pastries and desserts, The Great British Bake Off makes for an unmatched, extremely stress-relieving binge-watch. My family and I watched the series together, and we were addicted! The competition makes it impossible to stop watching and keeps you waiting to see who can master British baking skills.
