All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
As the episode begins, the Forrester mansion is decorated to the hilt. Before Donna enters, Eric eyes a garment bag with a twinkle in his eye. He’s got something up his sleeve, that sly dog. After some holiday-themed opening credits (see below), Carter and Daphne arrive at the mansion and exchange greetings with their hosts. Ridge and Brooke are the next to show up. Lots of hellos and air kisses.
More: Stormy seas ahead for ‘Sinn’
Ridge and Eric Bond
During a moment alone, Ridge and Eric put their recent kerfuffle behind them and embrace. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here,” Ridge tells his dad. Meanwhile, Daphne has wisely accepted Donna’s offer to make her a drink. She’s gonna need it; this is gonna be one sparsely attended soiree. (No Thomas, RJ, Zende, Bridget, Thorne… )
More: Bold & Beautiful star’s music to our ears
Pam Adds to the Festive Menu
Following a commercial break, Donna’s on a one-way call with Pam, thanking her for sending lemon bars. Across the room, Carter and Daphne are getting their smoochies on. “Excuse me,” Ridge tells Brooke, “I gotta go make fun of my friend.” And that he does, teasing Carter about leading Daphne straight to the mistletoe.
More: Remy’s back with one thing on his mind
Brooke and Steffy Bury the Hatchet?
Next through the door are Finn and Steffy with Kelly and Hayes in tow. Brooke says they’ve been to the mission following the tradition that the late, great queen bee Stephanie started. The moment leads Steffy and Brooke to warmly hug. Christmas miracle?
More: [Spoiler] poised to cause trouble for Will and Electra?
In another private exchange, Eric tells Ridge he wants him to look at a new design. Despite his pop’s urgency, Ridge says not now, let’s stay in the moment. When everyone returns, Eric makes a lovely toast. Dang it, and now I want eggnog. Later, Ridge says he was worried about Eric when he saw him at the office. But the older man shrugs it off.
Steffy Counts Her Blessings
Next it’s Steffy’s turn to speechify. She’s grateful to be around every one of them. Sheesh, don’t tell Taylor that. The kids then make cute little speeches. Finn pipes up to say they are super blessed to have such a happy, healthy family. Oh, gee, everybody gets a speech. Daphne is next, and she admits that after anticipating a quiet Christmas far from home, she feels very embraced. Carter then notes that he’s “on the upswing” in so many ways. (Wink, wink at Daphne.)
Carter also gives a shout-out to his “brother” Ridge and thanks Eric for having him (acknowledging the coup without coming out and saying the word). “I am thrilled to have found my way back to Ridge,” Brooke says as if they, we and everyone in between doesn’t know it. “My Christmas wish for all of you is to experience the depth of love I feel — it’s rich.”
Before all is said and done, Eric teases surprises to come. What isn’t surprising, Ridge exclaims, is the love and respect in everyone’s eyes when they look at Eric. The Forrester patriarch is the glue that keeps them all together. So “here’s to you, Eric ‘The Glue’ Forrester.”
More: Is RJ on his way back?!
Eric Takes On a New Role: Santa!
In the episode’s final moments, Ridge wonders where Eric is. Suddenly, jingle bells are heard, and in come Eric and Donna taking on new roles, those of Santa and Mrs. Claus, for the kids. Though Kelly and Hayes wrote Kris Kringle saying they didn’t need any gifts, they get some, anyway.
From there, we cut to a present-unwrapping montage… Steffy and Finn take a turn beneath the mistletoe… there’s some Christmas-themed corn hole… It’s all very sweet. Finally, Carter says Eric asked him to do a special reading from the Bible to remind everyone of the reason for the season.
More: Is Ridge daytime’s biggest Grinch? The answer is…
Eric Has Made Peace With Retirement
As things settle down, Eric admits to Ridge that his Santa suit was his special design. “I don’t think that I have to keep leading the charge into each new Forrester line,” Eric reassures Ridge. “I’m gonna be OK.” That, Ridge replies, is the best gift he could get.
“One more speech,” Eric announces. This has been the best Christmas Eve ever. He encourages everyone to thank God every day for what they have. Ridge seconds that emotion. Eric thinks that they should keep the spirit of Christmas alive all year long. Or at least until February sweeps.
The gang joins together for a fun rendition of “Jingle Bells,” the cast and crew wish us happy holidays, and that’s it for the Christmas Eve episode.
Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Following a Christmas Day repeat, Katie tries to wrap her head around her new normal.
While baking gingerbread man and spiking eggnog, scroll through the newly expanded photo gallery below of Christmas on the soaps.