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.

 

 

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… )

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.

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?

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.

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.