Days Of Our Lives
DAYS Delivers Somber Moments During The Tradition Of Hanging The Horton Christmas Ornaments!

Courtesy/NBC
Christmas Eve in Salem was not the happiest of times, in fact it was the most melachonly one to date!
The Horton family and their loved ones gathered for the annual hanging of the Christmas ornaments on the tree in the Horton home. One could not help but think how Alice Horton, the matriarch of the clan who started this tradition decades ago, would feel if she was alive and saw her family grieving.
The episode featured a tender performance by Bryan Dattilo who as Lucas is trying to cope with the death of his beloved son Will Horton ine holiday season. Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) was there to support Lucas throughout the episode. Later, MIA Sami texts a picture to Lucas that their daughter Allie made for him in honor of Will. But this is a dark day for Lucas no matter how those around him rally.
It’s also the most difficult day for Hope (Kristian Alfonso), Ciara (Vivian Jovanni), and Chase (Jonathon McClendon). Hope has to place the ornament of her beloved Bo (Peter Reckell) on the tree after he just passed away. Additionally, Hope even welcomes Chase into the family, and Abigail (Kate Mani) also gets a new ornament to hang for her son Thomas. In a touching moment, Doug (Bill Hayes) with Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) by his side implores everyone to carrying on this tradition when they are no longer alive. Doug looks to JJ (Casey Moss) and Abigail to promise to continue this special moment each year in the lives of the Hortons.

Courtesy/NBC
One by one, family members take turns putting their ornaments on the trees. Will has his ornament alongside Sonny’s. At the end of the significant tradition, Hope hands Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) their grandfather Tom’s ornament and then Alice’s. It is a Christmas Eve of reflection, sorrow, and family coming together for one another. During the montage of the ornament hanging, the beautiful song,” One Last Wish” performed and written by Kelly Moneymaker (Peter Reckell’s wife) was heard which added so much emotion to the moment.
Watch the 2015 Horton Christmas Ornament hanging after the jump. Let us know, did you reach for the hankies? Share your thoughts below!
It was somewhat hard to watch…i know its just a soap but after investing in many years of watching since 1965 with some breaks here and there, seeing these characters 5 days a week is almost like watching members of my own family…
No show does Christmas like DAYS now that GL is off the air. The best soap on the air right now also delivered the best Christmas episode of the year. Sure it was sad, but the reality of dealing with loss at Christmas shined through. As a man, I am not ashamed at all to say that this show made me shed a tear or two.
Open mouth insert foot for me….just finished GH from today and seeing Emma happy for a change was great, and all things Sam and Jason rock… DAYS and GH make for a great 2 hours of daytime tv! Wish they were on the same network!
I’ve also been saying for a little while now that DAYS and GH are my 2 favorite soaps on the air right now. They have both improved tremendously!!!
As a reflection of reality is was well done. Every family has someone who is no longer there for holidays due to death, so this was a moving way to honor that fact. But as early afternoon entertainment amidst the hustle and bustle of the day, it was a bit heavy on the depressing side of life. Hoping tomorrows show will carry on the other Days tradition of someone reading the passage from the Bible to the children at the hospital— will try to catch the episode if I can, but it is hard to fit in my soaps on Christmas day. Merry Christmas everyone, and if your Christmas cannot be merry I pray it will at least be peaceful.
“Oh, My God”
Tears downfall
“Bo” is… with Zack
Bo’ ON the tree
celebrating – Bo – like this… with a heavy heart tugging
“Hope and Ciara”
“Will”
same goes , “for” him
———
Days tradition never not touches
whew! saving grace…. seeing Victor and Maggie kiss it out
it’s tough on the tears this year
Bryan Dattilo has done such a tremendous job as Lucas has grieved Will. I really hope to see his name on the Emmy nominations, and hear it called as the winner. The entire Christmas episode hit just the right note. Holidays are extremely difficult when a loved one has been lost to death. I’m so glad that the Hortons are always shown remembering their missing loved ones.
Bryan has ben brilliant ans completely vulnerable in all his scenes. He is a terrific actor. He needs not story.
This has been a rough year for Days fans. It was very hard losing Will and Bo. Very sad seeing young Paige die when she had so much going. Senseless.
Enough, but we all know it’s not the end. We have to watch Maggie grieve over her son, Mel over her dad, and Vic over a man he loved like a son. Not to mention Parker.
I agree. As soon as Bryan appeared on screen and Maggie approached, my tears started flowing. I knew he was about to break down. The episode was a bit sad but, in the end, offers hope for a better tomorrow. Days harkens back to the soaps of old, where tearjerkers happened a lot more frequently. May Days soar in 2016.
B!E!A!U!T!I!F!U!L!
Happy HoliDAYS Everyone!!!!!
Was good.. both Days and GH.. was glad that GH as on Christmas Eve.. They need to think about doing that more often and was glad the show was pre-empted last week.
Def am liking Ava on Days… nice crazy insane .. should be a good storyline.. loved her pulling that blood packet from under her skin a couple of days ago…
I have to agree with most of the responses so far, this episode was a surprisingly dark, depressing episode compared to other holiday episodes of the past. It was filled with reminders of so many people who were no longer there and unfortunately the list was quite long, with the promise of more to come based on spoilers. It was hard for me to smile as too many Horton family members placed ornaments on the tree while crying or holding back tears, and others who were trying to make everyone happy have their own grief to bear in the near future. I understand that this episode mirrors reality for many in real life but the list of those whom they were missing was far too long.
It was no surprise to me, Beth.
Considering the events of the last few months, DAYS did the tree trimming correctly. Everyone acting bright and cheery would’ve been a big surprise.
Happy HoliDAYS!
Did you notice the bad editing? At one point, hands reached to get ornaments out of a box — and many in the box were already on the tree!
Yes and no, Thad.
In the montage style, which this is, elements of time can and often do change.
Happy HoliDAYS!
I had mixed feelings about it. I was happy to see them hang ornaments from people we haven’t seen. I was really glad to see Sonny’s hung up, and it was sad to see it next to Will’s. That was heartbreaking.
I also liked JJ singing and when the blond girl joined in (sorry but I don’t know who she is).
After all Abby and Chad have been through I thought it was stupid and disappointing for them not being together for Christmas. He is already with Belle and I thought that was all so strange. At least please their fans for a little bit before the next story happens.
The teen set was distracting because they are not great actors. I know they are new but Ciara was the worst. Instead of looking sad she looked awkward and out of place. That’s Ciara’s family, she can be sad but she wouldn’t be uncomfortable with her family and friends. TPTB really screwed up by recasting and aging Ciara.
And poor Kate. She had to spend Christmas Eve on the freaking park bench. She’s been on the show for almost 25 years and they can’t give her a house set? Even Jordan was given an apartment the whole time she was there.
The “blonde girl” is Claire, daughter of Shawn (son of Bo and Hope) and Belle (daughter of John and Marlena). It’s possible for Claire to be revealed as the daughter of Philip (son of Victor and Kate).
I thought the show was very touching, if sad. After the past few months I thought it was handled appropriately. I also like Doug & Julie back becoming more of the “heart” of the Horton Family. They were such a big part of the show when I started watching (late 1970’s) and they have been missed for most of the past decade. This is the must-watch Christmas episode for me each year, and it didn’t disappoint.
Unfortunately is was another snooze fest. 🙁 What happened to loving these people and they were REAL Hortons! So many of these ornaments are not even real Hortons any more. Days continues to lose it luster in my opinion.
It was a little on the ho hum side, and JJ’s singing is Okay but when that girl joined him in song – YIKES – LoL was I the ONLY one who thought it was just a dreadful rendition of a Christmas classic song? But that aside, yes it was nice, not thrilling but nice.
did anyone else notice Ari’s ornament was not placed with Will and Sonny’s? i thought that was such an oversight.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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