Days of our Lives Recap Dec 26: Chad reunites with his kids for Christmas and makes a deal with Jennifer
In the Days of our Lives recap for Friday, December 26, 2025, the Horton family Christmas traditions continued, and Chad was reunited with his kids.
Days of our Lives Recap
At the hospital, JJ and Chad were worried about Theo. They talked about how they felt and how Chad couldn’t wait to see his kids. JJ hoped he’d have the chance to work things out with Theo.
Chad made it clear that he wasn’t going to let anyone take his kids. JJ understood and said it was Christmas, so he suggested that they head home.
At home, Sarah and Maggie talked about the DiMeras and the position Chad was in with Jack and Jennifer, and the custody of the kids. Sarah was grateful to not be in that type of battle with Xander. Maggie noted that Xander had been surprisingly mature lately.
After Sarah went out, Xander brought a gift for her. He said he waited for Sarah to leave before coming in. Maggie didn’t want the gift and thought he was just buttering her up. She said she only tolerated him for the sake of the company. Xander begged her to open it first before deciding. Maggie cried when she saw the present: a framed portrait of Victor.
Xander explained that this portrait wasn’t tainted by Constantine like the other one, so he hoped that all it did was remind Maggie of his father. She cried how much she missed Victor and thanked Xander, saying that his intentions meant a lot to her. Maggie took Xander’s hand and told him how much Victor loved him.
In the square, Brady saw Sarah walking with Victoria. He told her that Rachel and Marlena were baking cookies, and he was picking up Rachel’s favorite dinner items. Sarah was happy for him that Rachel was able to be with them.
Sarah told Brady she was doing well, even though it was her first Christmas since her split with Xander. She said that Brady had been her rock, and he felt the same.
At the Horton house, Julie talked to Hope on the phone, as Jeremy ate food. Jack, Jenn, and the kids rushed in. She assured them that their dad would be there any moment.
Chad and JJ came in a moment later, and the kids rushed to their dad, who told them how much he loved them. Everyone welled up seeing the reunion, including Jennifer.
JJ and Jeremy took the kids and Julie out of the room to give the others a chance to talk. Chad thanked Jennifer and Jack for taking such good care of his babies while he was going through the kidnapping. They assured him that they prayed for his well-being every day he was gone.
They all cried when Jack told Chad that Thomas cried every night, worried that he wouldn’t get the chance to tell his dad how much he loved him. They said seeing how much the kids cared made them realize they might be going about things the wrong way.
Jennifer said that Justin suggested they move to mediation instead of court. Chad told them he was open to bringing down the temperature but told them clearly that there was no world where the kids didn’t belong with him.
Lani and Eli came into the living room with JJ and Jeremy. After Lucas arrived, Julie gave a speech about the Horton tree-trimming custom and how they strive to be full of love every day of their lives.
Everyone took a turn hanging ornaments with their names, and the names of those who aren’t with them anymore. When it was her turn, Sarah hung up the ornaments with her name and Victoria’s, leaving Xander’s in the box.
At the Kiriakis mansion, Xander stared emotionally at Victor’s portrait, then he held a framed photo of Sarah and Victoria and reflected on it as well.