Few traditions in daytime television carry the emotional power and historical weight of the Horton family Christmas on Days of Our Lives. For decades, this annual gathering has served

as the heart of Salem, reminding viewers that even amid chaos, betrayal, and loss, family remains the show’s moral compass. This year’s celebration, however, almost didn’t happen —

making its eventual arrival all the more meaningful. As the holiday season approached, uncertainty hung heavy over Salem. Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes),

the matriarch and emotional anchor of the Horton clan, found herself facing a painful dilemma. For the first time in years, she seriously considered postponing the cherished Christmas tradition. The reason was deeply personal and profoundly unsettling: Chad DiMera’s mysterious disappearance had shaken the town to its core.

Chad’s absence cast a long shadow over the season. His loved ones were consumed with fear, and the festive spirit that usually defines Salem in December felt hollow. Adding to the strain, Jack and Jennifer Deveraux (Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves) made the difficult decision to temporarily leave town with their children, prioritizing safety over tradition during a volatile moment.

For Julie, the idea of celebrating Christmas without key members of the family felt wrong. The Horton ornament ceremony has always been about togetherness — every name, every memory, every soul accounted for. Without Chad, Jack, Jennifer, and their children, the ritual seemed incomplete.

Then, in a turn that felt nothing short of miraculous, hope returned.

Just as the possibility of cancellation loomed, Chad was rescued and safely brought home. His return was met with overwhelming relief and gratitude, not just for Julie and the Hortons, but for an entire community that had been holding its breath. The timing was extraordinary — Chad was back in Salem just in time for Christmas, restoring faith that even in the darkest moments, light can still break through.

Inspired by Chad’s rescue, Jack and Jennifer made the heartfelt choice to return home with their children, ensuring the Horton family would once again be whole. Their arrival brought warmth, laughter, and a sense of normalcy that Salem had been desperately missing. Suddenly, Christmas wasn’t postponed — it was reborn.

Adding to the joy were unexpected arrivals that made the celebration even richer. Lani Price and Eli Grant (Sal Stowers and Lamon Archey) surprised Julie with a holiday visit she never saw coming. Their presence was deeply emotional, reinforcing that no matter where life takes them, the pull of family — especially at Christmas — is impossible to resist.

Julie’s reaction said everything. Her joy was unmistakable, her gratitude heartfelt. Surrounded by generations of loved ones, she embodied the enduring spirit of the Horton legacy: resilience, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family.

As preparations resumed, Jeremy played a crucial role behind the scenes, helping Julie carefully unpack and arrange the treasured Horton ornaments — each one steeped in decades of history. This was no ordinary decorating task. Every ornament represents a life, a story, a chapter in Salem’s long-running saga. As they worked, memories flowed freely, transforming preparation into reflection.

The Horton ornament tradition is more than a holiday custom — it is Days of Our Lives itself. The ritual dates back to 1966, when Tom Horton’s mother crafted the very first ornaments for her family. Those original keepsakes, honoring Tom and Alice Horton and their children, laid the foundation for a tradition that would span generations.

By 1971, the ritual evolved into a filmed ceremony, allowing viewers to witness the family gather and honor each member by placing their ornament on the tree. From that moment on, the Horton Christmas became a sacred event for fans — a yearly reminder of continuity, legacy, and love.

Over the decades, the tree has grown alongside the family. New ornaments are added as new lives join the Horton lineage, creating a visual timeline of Salem’s history. At the same time, ornaments for those who have passed — including the beloved Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes) — remain, ensuring they are never forgotten.

This year’s ceremony was especially poignant. It honored not only those lost, but also those who have moved away, such as Hope Brady and Bo Brady. Their ornaments still hang proudly, symbolizing that distance does not diminish belonging.

Traditionally held on Christmas Eve, this year’s ceremony unfolded later than usual — but the delay only deepened its meaning. What mattered wasn’t the date, but the fact that the family was finally together again. As each ornament was placed with care, the message was clear: the Horton legacy endures, no matter the obstacles.

Yet even as Salem basked in warmth and reflection, danger lurked elsewhere.

In stark contrast to the Horton home’s glow, Tuesday’s episode plunged viewers into suffocating darkness within the DiMera crypt. There, long-buried resentments erupted as Peter DiMera stood at the center of a chilling confrontation. No longer content to exist in the shadows, Peter revealed a terrifying plan driven by years of neglect and bitterness.

Armed with poison gas and emotional fury, Peter declared his actions were acts of survival. In his fractured reality, the DiMera family abandoned him — and eliminating them was the only way to reclaim control. His goal was ruthless: wipe out the family and claim the legacy alone.

As his siblings demanded answers, Peter unleashed a chilling monologue, accusing them of greed, manipulation, and cruelty. Even Theo, now a powerful CEO, was dismissed as another thief in Peter’s twisted narrative. To him, he alone was the victim — the only “honest” DiMera in a family built on corruption.

Kristen DiMera attempted a different approach. Refusing to see only a monster, she reminded Peter of who he once was — a child with compassion and conscience. For a moment, her words pierced his armor. But the mention of Stefano reignited Peter’s rage, exposing the deep wounds left by their father’s legacy.

In a dangerous game of emotional chess, Kristen aligned herself with Peter, redirecting his hatred toward EJ and promising loyalty. The manipulation worked. Peter spared Kristen — proving that even in madness, DiMera instincts remain deadly sharp.

As Salem balances light and darkness, Days of Our Lives once again delivers what it does best: honoring tradition while unleashing high-stakes drama. The Horton Christmas reminds viewers why family matters — while the DiMera showdown proves that legacy can also destroy.