After spending years together and bonding over their shared differences, Takaki Toono and his close childhood friend, Akari Shinohara are separated because of Akari’s family’s job in this Drama, Romance, Slice of Life anime. While they try their best to keep in touch at first, and even meet up one time, life continues and they slowly lose touch, never really forgetting about each other or their past together and always wondering if they’ll meet again. 5 centimeters per second is definitely a drama and it’s not a movie about or set around Christmas. But there are many gorgeous snow scenes and it does tug at your heartstrings and makes you feel all kinds of melancholic. It will definitely set you in the mood to get in touch with friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. What better time for that phone call than the holidays?

Next is a series with two separate stories. In the first, Hiro Hirono meets Miyako Miyamura after she steals his bike on Christmas Eve to chase her purse snatcher. Turns out, they go to the same school and hit it off, until Kei Shindou, Hiro’s childhood friend who’s always had a crush on him, becomes involved and it becomes a love triangle. In the second story Renji Asou meets Chihiro Shindou, Kei’s twin sister whose memory only lasts 13 hours. She wants to write a novel and Renji decides to help. This Drama / Mystery / Romance anime only begins on Christmas, but it is still a great holiday show. The fact that there are two stories that are somehow connected adds depth and aids the character development. And all the love and emotions being dealt with really put you in the Christmas spirit of love, joy and helping others.

Touya Fuji is a university student who is dating an up-and-coming idol singer, Yuki Morikawa. Because of Yuki’s job and status, it’s getting more and more difficult for them to spend time together since idols usually aren’t allowed to be in relationships. There is someone on their side though, another idol! But why? White album is a Romantic Harem anime set in the winter with plenty of snowy scenes and with Christmas as an important part of the plot. The art is beautiful and it has good music, which one would hope considering the main protagonist is an idol. It’s romantic, funny, emotional and maybe a little confusing at times, but fans agree that they enjoy watching this title around Christmas time! Though if you want closure, I suggest watching season 2 as well.

After classroom rearrangements, Ryuuji Takasu ends up in the same classroom as his best friend and his crush, Minori Kushieda. Minori’s best friend is Taiga Aisaka a tiny little firecracker with whom Ryuuji forms an agreement to help each other get close to their respective crushes. Of course, all this working together might end up with Ryuuji and Taiga developing feelings for each other… While Toradora! Is definitely not a Christmas anime, it does have a huge plot point that occurs during Christmas. Being a Rom-Com / Slice of Life, you know there will be happy moments sprinkled throughout a sequence of love triangles, awkwardness and tsundere moments. Toradora! is a popular series among anime fans to re-watch (or watch for the first time!) around Christmas.

Junichi Tachibana got stood up on Christmas a couple of years ago. Now in his second year in high school, with his heart healed up, he decides to try again. And he has many girls to choose from! Two childhood friends, the most popular girl in school, a shy girl, the class president and an underclassman. No matter who he chooses, Junichi wants this year’s Christmas date to be perfect! Set in between Chrsitmas and that being the culmination of the story, this Comedy Romance anime is where you should look for a Slice of Life Romantic Christmas show. Don’t be misguided by the mention of several girls though, this is not a Harem anime. It’s based on a dating game so you actually get to see a different story for each girl! Everybody wins! Or do they?

It’s the turn of the millennium and there’s a rumor that if you declare your love on Christmas Eve, your wishes of love will come true. Keitaro hears the rumor and tries to balance re-taking exams and planning his declaration of love. This is the oldest anime on the list and it comes from a very well-known, classic harem anime. It’s obviously centered around Christmas, it has your typical comical harem moments and of course, romance. This is a cute, Slice of Life Christmas special you should watch at least once in your life.

During Christmas time, Haruma Kawagoe was looking forward to having a little sister, but his mother miscarried. Saddened and worried, he prayed with all his heart for his mother to get better and wished for a little sister. Years later, he’s in college and on Christmas, he finally gets the present he wished for so long ago, a little sister! Luckily, Choco comes with an instruction manual. Chocotto Sister has a great blend of Drama, Comedy, Slice of Life and a bit of Ecchi. While the beginning sounds a bit sad, it is the set up for many funny, sweet moments ahead. A full grown little sister as a Christmas present, life in college and a female Santa on a motorcycle, this anime will bring a good mix of excitement to your holiday viewing!

Yuudai is very shy, so even though he is in love with his girlfriend Chizuru, he can’t seem to be able to communicate his feelings to her. At the same time, Chizuru hasn’t had good luck in relationships, so this lack of communication seems like the end to her. During their first Christmas together they end up getting separated and must face their romantic and personal insecurities on their own. Set during Christmas time, this Slice of Life Romance takes us through the lovers’ two separate stories and therefore their individual perspectives on their situations. They must figure out what they feel and how to say it if they want their relationship to work out. Add to this an escaped miniature donkey and you’ve got yourself some good old Christmas entertainment!

A boy named Santa who was born on December 24th and – not surprisingly – hates everything Christmas related, meets Mai, a cute Santa in training on Christmas Eve. Being that he is unlucky and miserable because he’s often alone, Mai promises to do anything she can to make him happy. You can’t get any more Christmas-y than this. It’s set during Christmas, there are two Santas, a scrooge-like boy gets his heart softened and shown the meaning of Christmas, and to top it off, there’s Comedy, Romance, and Fantasy in this slightly Ecchi Shounen OVA.

Hana, Miyuki and Gin are homeless. While going through the garbage on Christmas Eve, they find an abandoned baby named Kiyoko. Along with the baby, there are clues as to the identity of the parents, so they set out to find them. Their adventure finds them involved with the Yakuza, preventing people from dying and witnessing Christmas Miracles. Tokyo Godfathers was an instant classic when it was released and won many awards. The character development is fantastic, the art is gorgeous and the different perspectives on humanity it presents are heartwarming. The music is great and the Comedy and Drama are balanced exquisitely. If you only watch one of the recommendations in this list, I suggest Tokyo Godfathers.