Salem fans, brace yourselves. This Christmas 2025, the town of Days of Our Lives is set for a holiday season unlike any other. Forget candy canes and festive cheer—Salem is serving high-stakes drama,

near-death crises, and shocking twists that could change the lives of some of our most beloved characters forever. As always, the Horton and DeMera families are at the heart of the chaos,

and the weeks leading up to Christmas promise to be a rollercoaster of emotion, betrayal, and intrigue.

We’ve combed through the latest spoilers and insider reports to bring you the three storylines you absolutely cannot miss this holiday season. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride.

1. The Horton Heartbreak: Julie’s No-Christmas Rule

For decades, the Horton family has been the beating heart of Salem, and their Christmas traditions—especially the iconic ornament-hanging ceremony—have been a staple for fans. This year, however, legendary matriarch Julie Williams, portrayed by the incomparable Susan Seaforth Hayes, is making a shocking decision: she’s putting the brakes on Christmas.

Why? Because Chad DeMera is missing. The house feels empty, the ornaments are symbols of absent loved ones, and Julie, with her deep emotional insight, refuses to force a festive atmosphere when grief looms. Fans may initially think she’s overreacting, but this move reflects Julie’s growth from the impulsive young woman she once was to a thoughtful, protective matriarch. She’s shielding the children—Alice and Thomas—from the false cheer of holiday celebration while their father’s fate hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Horton is stepping up to assist, but there’s more than just familial loyalty at play. Jeremy has always been a wildcard, and insiders hint he may be hiding key information about Chad’s whereabouts. Could this be a clever setup for a dramatic Christmas Eve reunion—or a revelation that changes the Horton family forever? Salem history suggests that missing family members during the holidays is never simple, and the stakes here feel heavier than ever. If Chad doesn’t return in time for the ornament ceremony, 2026 could usher in a darker era for the Horton legacy.

2. The Unholy Alliance: Gabby Hernandez and Gwen Rechek

If you thought Salem’s drama was all about missing family members, think again. This year, the town’s scheming power players are shaking up the status quo. Enter Gabby Hernandez and Gwen Rechek, a pairing that no one saw coming—but now that it’s happening, it’s impossible to ignore.

Gabby’s latest corporate gambit with Tony DeMera has collapsed spectacularly, leaving her cornered, desperate, and dangerous. Meanwhile, Gwen is sweating bullets as her secret involving EJ DeMera teeters on the edge of exposure. Together, these two women form an uneasy alliance rooted in survival, strategy, and mutual benefit.

In Salem, friendships are rarely about love—they’re about leverage. Gabby brings ruthless corporate fire; Gwen, cunning and streetwise, knows how to manipulate and survive. Sources speculate that this duo may form a vengeance pact, with Gabby seeking to reclaim her position at DeRa Enterprises and Gwen aiming to keep EJ silent. This alliance could give them unprecedented control over Salem’s undercurrents—and maybe even blackmail half the town before New Year’s Eve.

However, tension simmers beneath the surface. Fans can expect betrayal, power struggles, and a ticking time bomb as trust clashes with ambition. Our money is on Gwen as the first to act self-preservingly, because in Salem, survival often trumps loyalty. The Gabby-Gwen saga is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling power plays of the year.

3. Kristen DeMera’s Life-or-Death Crisis: Bristen at the Brink

And now, the crown jewel of this Christmas storyline: Kristen DeMera. Spoilers indicate that while the hostages—including the DeMera brothers—are finally being freed, Kristen herself is in critical condition. Hospital monitors beep relentlessly as the viewers are left to wonder: is this Kristen’s final Christmas?

Brady Black is the first to arrive at her bedside. The man who has loved and clashed with Kristen repeatedly faces his classic dilemma: anger versus compassion. He’s furious at Kristen for keeping secrets about their daughter Rachel, yet he sees her struggling for life, and his capacity for forgiveness—and obsession with reclamation—kicks in. Brady’s emotional conflict adds a layer of tension that only Days of Our Lives can deliver: will he save Kristen because of duty, love, or both?

Kristen’s predicament also reignites past conflicts. Remember Sarah Horton, who was kidnapped by Kristen and sent to a private island? Sarah and the viewers haven’t forgotten, and this could create explosive confrontations if Brady softens toward Kristen now. Meanwhile, Kristen’s actions are being reframed in light of her devotion to her daughter—her loyalty shifting from the DeMera empire to her family. The question looms: can a DeMera ever truly change, or will Kristen’s past sins continue to haunt her?

The looming presence of Stefan DeMera, the supposed mastermind behind the kidnapping, further complicates matters. Kristen is both a victim of her family and a survivor of her own mistakes, caught in a web of loyalty, power, and moral ambiguity. If she survives, it’s predicted that Kristen may finally sever ties with the DeMera legacy, prioritizing love over legacy, and forcing Brady to make a life-altering choice.

Bonus Storyline: Paulina Price’s Unexpected Joy

Amid the darkness, Salem is sprinkling in a bit of holiday levity. Paulina Price may be facing a double dose of joy as rumors swirl that she’s about to become a grandmother—possibly twice over. With both Lonie and Chanel potentially expecting, the Price household is set for comedic chaos. Paulina’s attempts to micromanage everything from diets to nursery setups promise hilarious, heartwarming moments that balance the high-stakes drama elsewhere.

Additional Twists: Leo, Cat, and the Dera Investigation

While families struggle and alliances form, Salem’s investigators are hot on the trail of the DeMera mystery. Leo and Javi offer a rare glimpse of domesticity as they wrap Christmas presents—but even in these quiet moments, danger looms. Leo’s journalistic obsession leads him to pry into EJ’s secrets, risking confrontation with Gwen and others.

Meanwhile, Cat works methodically, combing through FBI files to track Chad DeMera’s movements. Her findings suggest that Peter had traveled to Amed and left traces hinting at careful orchestration, not spontaneous disappearance. With cryptic noises reported near the DeMera tomb, Cat uncovers chilling evidence pointing to a central hub of activity and secrecy.

The tension escalates as Rafa balances duty and trust, coordinating agents while navigating the complex interplay of personal and professional loyalties. Salem’s past and present collide, reminding viewers that in this town, secrets are never truly buried—and the consequences of persistence, deception, and ambition can be life-altering.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

As 2025 draws to a close, Salem is at a crossroads. Julie Horton confronts grief and the fragility of tradition. Gabby and Gwen rewrite the rules of power, and Kristen faces a life-or-death moment that could redefine her legacy. Our wild prediction? Stefan may not be the real mastermind. Could a ghost from the past, a resurrected Peter Blake, or an unseen foe be orchestrating events from the shadows?

Salem fans, this Christmas is shaping up to deliver drama, betrayal, heartache, and unexpected joy. Will Brady forgive Kristen? Will Gabby and Gwen’s alliance implode spectacularly? And most importantly, will Chad make it home in time for the Horton ornament ceremony?

As always, Days of Our Lives reminds us that in Salem, nothing is simple, nothing is safe, and every secret comes at a cost. Stay tuned, because the next chapter promises to be unforgettable.