The Young and the Restless Recap, December 24: Christmas brings Nikki and Victor to an emotional crossroads

Here’s the full recap of what happened on The Young and the Restless on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

The festive cheer in Genoa City continued as Victoria brought Johnny and Katie to Billy’s apartment to help put up a Christmas tree. The tree left a lot to be desired, but it was the last one on the lot, so they needed to make the most of what they had.

Billy forgot to bring out the ornaments, leaving nothing to decorate with. Victoria defended him, noting his distraction with the Abbott Communications launch. Sally suggested they use popcorn and cranberries, as she did when she was a child.

Victoria was grateful to join the festivities, while Billy acknowledged this holiday would be hard—the first without Cole. Johnny showed genuine interest in Abbott Communications and asked how it differed from Adam’s company. Billy cited integrity and transparency, but Victoria urged him to save the conversation to avoid drama.

Billy gave Sally the credit for his new lease on life. There was so much more to living than holding on to grudges that took up so much time and energy. He called Sally a star, which prompted Katie to remember that the Christmas tree needed a star. Victoria got the idea to use tinfoil for the tree topper, and the kids left with Billy to get what they needed.

While alone with Sally, Victoria expressed worry for Billy. She thought that Billy tried too hard to sell his new attitude to the world, including himself. Sally confided in Victoria that she shared similar concerns. Sally referenced Billy’s hatred for Victor and how much it consumed him. There was so much anger that bubbled beneath the surface. He still showed glimpses of it coming through.

Sally wondered if Billy ever had a time when he wasn’t fueled by that type of rage. She discussed their relationship and how they initially wondered whether their feelings for each other stemmed from a need for revenge against Adam and Chelsea. Victora reassured Sally that she believed that Billy’s romantic feelings for her were real.

Sally was worried that Billy’s newfound awakening wasn’t sustainable. She told Victoria that she’d been through it before. Sally’s father acted similarly to Billy, with a gambling addiction included. She saved her father from the brink numerous times in the past, prompting Sally to ask, “Are you trying to love Billy or save him?”

Sally went on a deeper introspective journey about growing up with a man like her father. She recalled a time when things actually went well, and her father swore he’d get the one gift she wanted more than anything. Sally’s dad swore he’d make it happen, but not only was the gift nowhere to be found, but neither was her father. He returned one day as if it had never happened.

Billy listened in on the conversation and heard Sally say she’d been through this before, and she needed his recent changes to be real, or they’d never make it. After Victoria and the kids left, Billy told Sally he believed in her, their relationship, and everything they could accomplish.

Nikki returned to the ranch, looking apprehensive about seeing Victor, but determined to make the best of it. Nikki flashed back to the previous Christmas, the first in their newly renovated home.

Victor came around the corner and stated that he didn’t expect to see her home. She responded that it was Christmas Eve, so there was nowhere else she would be. He didn't hear her leave for work that morning, and she confirmed that she was actively avoiding him. Nikki was still furious, but she didn’t want to spend the holiday away from their loved ones.

Nikki told him that entering the home reminded her of their first Christmas in the new house, and that she had never felt more joy than she did on that day. She asked Victor if he remembered that. Not only did they video chat with Noah that night, but it was their first holiday with Claire, and their last with Cole. Victor reflected on making peace with Cole and was glad he had invited him into the family.

Nikki agreed that it was a lovely gesture. However, Victor wondered if they were still fighting. He wanted to set everything aside for their family. Nikki made it clear that she wouldn’t budge from her stance about his relentless pursuit of Jack and Jabot. There was nothing that could change her mind. He presented her with a gift, and she asked if he believed that would make their problems disappear.

The gift was a stunning, clearly expensive necklace from Maria Theresa’s collection. Not only was she the mother of Maria Antoniette, but she also had exquisite taste. Victor asked if he could place the piece around Nikki’s neck, and it looked like she had mixed feelings about accepting it. However, he followed the jewelry up with a letter from Maria Theresa’s collection, which moved her enough to thank him for the offering.

Nikki accused Victor of charming her and acknowledged his talent for it. She believed he wanted her to soften her stance about Jack, but Victor denied it. She remembered she had also bought Victor a gift prior to their fight. It was one of Hannah Arendt’s personal journals, which moved Victor. As an important German thinker, he admired her work, and Nikki believed it belonged in her husband’s vast library.

Nikki acknowledged that, while they disagreed on many topics, they had gotten the gifts right. Victor said it was very personal, and Nikki said she thought about the next Christmas the day after the current one. He recalled how many Christmases they had spent together, and although she didn't know the exact number, he said they needed to remember it because it was the happiest time of their lives.

They recalled some of their past Christmases together, even though they were at odds at other times. Nikki told Victor that she wanted to thank him for their children and their family, and she realized how important all of those things were. He remembered being left at an orphanage on Christmas Eve when he was a young boy, and he admired how far he’d come in life since that harrowing holiday. Victor cried and took Nikki’s hand before they finally shared an emotional kiss.

At the Abbott Mansion, Jack returned home, and Diane welcomed him back. He had a rough day dealing with the fallout from Jabot going offline to prevent the AI attack. She offered him a holiday beverage, and she promised to make the evening special. She wanted to embrace the present and set aside Victor’s chaos for the night.

Jack noticed that nobody was home, so he asked for an update. Ashley planned to spend the holiday in Paris, Traci was at a dinner with Amy, and Kyle was chaperoning Harrison at a Christmas party. However, Kyle was worried about Claire. He got her a Christmas gift, but he didn't think a reconciliation was still in the works. Jack assured her that Kyle had finally realized the relationship was past the point of no return.

Jack and Diane shared a quiet, romantic moment amid corporate chaos. Diane told Jack, “You’ve given me so much: love, your acceptance, a second chance with Kyle. The life I share with you and our son means everything to me.”

Jack surprised Diane with a gift, despite agreeing not to get each other anything. However, she stunned him even more with a gift of her own, and it was a Max Factor autobiography, first edition, which meant a lot to Jack.

She compared. Factor to John Abbott, making it the perfect gift. Diane was blown away by everything he accomplished, and she knew it would be the perfect gift for the CEO of a cosmetics company, since Factor coined the term make-up. The present brought Jack to tears, and he vowed to cherish it forever.

Jack’s gift to Diane was an iconic piece of jewelry that once belonged to Coco Chanel. Diane couldn’t believe the once-in-a-lifetime gift, and Jack admired how beautiful it looked on his wife.

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