Days of our Lives Recap for Wednesday, December 25, 2024: Friends and family converge at the Horton house for Christmas

In Xander and Sarah’s bedroom, Sarah entered to find a shirtless Xander dressed in his kilt. He planned on wearing it to the “Horton shindig,” and Sarah jokingly asked if he would add a shirt to the attire. Sarah then lightly suggested that Julie might be traumatized by the reminder of Xander having slept naked on her couch. The comment prompted Xander to recall how Jack had given him a place to stay when Xander had been down on his luck. Xander lamented about betraying Jack and losing the best friend he ever had.

Sarah and Xander began flirting, and the couple wondered if they had time to engage in some private fun before the festivities. Xander kissed Sarah and promised he would put her on “Santa’s naughty list.” Later, Xander and Sarah kissed in the bed. Sarah remarked that Christmas had gotten off to a great start. Xander wanted to add to the good cheer and pulled a wrapped present from underneath the bed. He requested that Sarah open it immediately.

Sarah opened the gift to reveal a pair of red shoes. Xander explained he had remembered the story of how Mickey had gifted Maggie a pair of similar shoes when Maggie had undergone her struggles to walk again. Since Sarah had just experienced her miracle, Xander reasoned that Sarah deserved her own pair of red shoes to commemorate the occasion. With tears in her eyes, Sarah laughed and said she’d only gotten Xander an air fryer.

Downstairs at the Kiriakis mansion, Holly showed Maggie a present she had gotten for Tate. Maggie presented a gift to Holly as well. When Holly assumed the gift had come from her grandmother, Maggie corrected her and said it had just arrived from Paris…and from Nicole. Later, Holly called her mom and thanked her for the perfume gift.

After Holly wished Nicole, Eric, and Jude a Merry Christmas and got off the phone, she gathered up presents and mentioned to Maggie that she would be seeing Tate soon to exchange gifts. Before Holly left, Maggie extracted a promise from her granddaughter to attend the Horton ornament hanging. Later, Maggie greeted Shawn, who had stopped by to visit Victor at the mausoleum. He also gave Maggie a gift.

Maggie opened the present, a framed photograph of Victor and her. She teared up, called it the “perfect gift,” and hugged Shawn. She reminisced about when the picture had been taken. Victor had refused to smile until Maggie threatened to invite all of his ex-wives to the mansion. Shawn smiled and commended Maggie for always being able to keep Victor in line.

Shawn still couldn’t believe that Konstantin had been responsible for Victor’s death. Maggie admitted that she still had thoughts about destroying Victor's portrait, which Konstantin had given her as a gift. Shawn assured Maggie that although Konstantin had tried to damage her love for Victor, he had “failed miserably.”

After Shawn left, Xander and Sarah came downstairs, dressed for the evening’s festivities. Sarah showed Maggie the gift Xander had gotten her. Maggie smiled in acknowledgment when she saw the red shoes. Xander proclaimed that Maggie had inspired the gift. Maggie responded that Sarah and Xander’s love continued to inspire her every day. The trio shared a hug and prepared to leave. Maggie sadly glanced back at Victor’s portrait before she departed.

At the Brady Pub, Tate sent well wishes to his Uncle Steve and Aunt Kayla over the phone. His good mood soured when he got a text from Sophia. Tate called to check in on her. They made plans to go out of state for an abortion over the weekend. Tate promised Sophia that no one would ever find out.

Later, Holly arrived at the seemingly empty pub. When she called out for Tate, he jumped up from behind the bar and exclaimed, “Surprise!” A “Happy Birthday” banner hung above him. When Tate hugged Holly and mentioned that he wanted to make her birthday extra special since it fell near Christmas, she was touched. She rewarded him with a kiss.

Tate first presented Holly with her birthday gift, a heart necklace with the initials H and T. Holly loved the gift and gave Tate his first Christmas present. Tate was excited when he saw tickets for his favorite band, who were in town for “one night only.” Tate’s excitement dissipated when Holly revealed the concert took place the coming Friday night: the night Tate had made plans to leave with Sophia. Tate apologized to Holly and said he couldn’t go because he had other plans.

Tate covered his lie by claiming that he would be going out of town that night to visit his grandparents. Holly said she understood. The couple continued exchanging gifts until Holly left briefly to attend the Horton ornament hanging.

Later, when Holly returned, she and Tate settled down to share a birthday cupcake. Tate said he had something he needed to tell Holly. As Holly braced herself for the confession, Tate told Holly that he loved her. He confided that he’d felt that way for a while but had been in denial about the depth of his feelings. Holly was overjoyed and returned the sentiment.

Jennifer, Jack, and JJ strolled through Horton Town Square, soaking in the festive atmosphere. They talked about Chad taking the kids to Orlando for the holidays. While Jennifer thought Julie would have been more upset, Jack suggested that spending time with Doug III had softened the blow. Jennifer mentioned how she had raised suspicions about Doug’s grandson with Julie, a revelation that surprised both Jack and JJ. Jennifer updated Jack and JJ on her theory that Doug III might have stolen Julie’s necklace.

When Jennifer revealed that Doug III had just gotten out of jail, Jack suggested that his incarceration had been for a minor offense. JJ, however, reminded his father that they knew nothing about Doug III or his past. He believed that Doug III might be dangerous.

At the Horton House, Doug III left a message for Leo, asking for an update on the necklace and mentioning that he needed the money. When Julie came into the room, Doug III abruptly ended the call. Julie said she’d overheard him claim that he was in need of money. Doug III lied that he had been talking with his father and had asked for a loan so that he could pay rent money to Julie.

Julie insisted that she would never “take a dime” from Doug III. She gushed about how wonderful it had been for her to get to know Doug’s grandson. As she went on about how much some of his mannerisms reminded her of his grandfather, Doug III grew increasingly guilty. He said that he had loved getting to know the entire Horton family. Julie promised him that he would soon participate in a cherished family tradition.

Julie retrieved the box of Horton ornaments and explained the tradition to Doug III. She recalled that the first ornament had been crafted by her grandfather’s mother and had then been passed down to Tom and Alice. Over the years, the number of ornaments grew as new members were added to the family. Julie beamed that hanging the ornaments on Christmas Eve was her favorite part of the holiday. It reminded her of all the people to whom she was connected and who had taught her how to love and to grow.

Julie added, “All the days of our lives, whatever this world throws at us, good or bad, we can share it with the people who care about us most: our family.” Julie recalled how much her Doug had loved Christmas and how he had often wowed everyone with his wonderful singing voice. Doug III responded that hearing about his grandfather made him feel like his grandfather’s spirit was with them. Julie was touched by the remark.

Jennifer, Jack, and JJ arrived, and Julie happily greeted them. She explained that she had been telling Doug III all about the ornament tradition, which drew a concerned look from Jennifer. Jennifer’s consternation grew after Julie promised Doug III that she would have an ornament for him on the tree by next Christmas. When a flattered Doug III said he was not part of the Horton family, Julie insisted that he was her family.

JJ thought that since Doug III was a member of the family, they should get to know him better. When Doug III asked what they would like to know, JJ suggested Doug III tell them why he had been in jail. A shocked Julie began to scold JJ, but Doug III said he’d like to answer. He explained that he’d never gotten along with his adoptive father, so when he found out about Doug, Sr., he had decided to change his name and come to Salem to meet the man. Along the way, Doug III discovered that Doug Sr. had passed away.

Doug III further explained that he’d gone to a bar upon hearing the news and had gotten into a bar fight, leading to his arrest. Julie readily accepted the explanation and hugged Doug III while Jennifer and JJ glared at the newcomer.

Later, Shawn arrived for the gathering, and Julie introduced him to Doug III. Shawn then chatted with Jack, Jennnifer, and JJ. Shawn filled them in on his return to the police force. Jack and Jennifer were stunned to learn from Shawn that Jada had also asked JJ back to the force. JJ quickly added that he hadn’t made a decision, but Shawn encouraged him and suggested they could be partners.

The next arrivals included Xander, Sarah, Maggie, and Holly. Julie and Doug III came from the kitchen with snacks, and she introduced Doug III to Maggie and Holly. Doug III looked at Holly with seeming interest.

The family began gathering in the living room. Julie stood and addressed the small gathering. She said she’d been reminded of how Doug’s spirit was still with her. She was grateful and thankful to be spending the day with all of them.

“Including me?” Xander cracked. “Yes, Xander, even you,” Julie retorted. She then officially began the ornament ceremony. Xander and Sarah started with their ornaments, then helped Victoria hang her ornament on the tree. Maggie added ornaments for herself, for Mickey, and for Victor.

Holly placed ornaments for herself and for Daniel on the tree. The Deveraux family went next, and Jennifer looked wistfully at Abigail’s ornament before sharing a hug with Jack and JJ. Shawn acted as a representative for the missing members of his family and hung their ornaments. The ornaments of other missing family members were shown, and Julie stepped up to hang the final ornament. She halted and asked Doug III if he would place his grandfather’s ornament on the tree.

Doug hesitated until Julie asked him to do it for her. He took the ornament and hung it beside Julie’s ornament. Later, as Julie boxed the ornaments, Xander cautiously approached Jack and expressed his regret for what had happened in Vancouver with Abigail. Before Xander could step away, Jack stopped him and extended his hand. “Merry Christmas, old friend,” Jack said. Xander smiled broadly and turned the handshake into a hug.

Julie gathered the family together again for another honored tradition. JJ led the group in a rendition of “Oh come, all ye faithful.”

When Jack, Jennifer, and JJ were alone again, they traded thoughts on Doug III's story. Jack was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but JJ and Jennifer remained skeptical. Jennifer was pleased when JJ announced that he had accepted Jada’s offer. He pledged to keep an eye on Julie.

Maggie, Sarah, and Xander returned to the mansion. Maggie wished the couple good night and retired. Xander declared that he wanted to give Sarah’s new shoes a spin. He extended his hand, and Sarah readily accepted. The couple danced to holiday music.

Back at the Horton home, Doug III said good night to Julie and made his way to bed. Julie took a moment at the tree and spoke to Doug’s ornament. She reminisced about their first Christmas Eve together, when she had gifted Doug a watch with an inscription. As Julie emerged from the memory, she recited the words, “Gone from my sight, never from my heart.” Gazing upward, she said, “Merry Christmas, my love.”

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