Bah! Humbug!

We pan down to the Horton bulbs form a picture of Tom and Alice. Maggie, Doug. Jennifer and Julie try to cheer Ciara up but Ciara announces she doesn't believe in Santa.

Meanwhile the most phlegmatic Santa you've ever seen visits Johnny. Santa gives him a matador transformer. Ranta says Johnny's mom told him he wanted it and that she misses him. Santa says Rafe misses Johnny, too.

"Tell Rafe he's not fooling anyone in that white beard and red suit," says Johnny.

Lexie tells EJ Johnny is going home.

Sami, Will and Gabi are at the Hernandez Hovel. she calls the hospital to ask about Johnny. She gets Stephanie, but Stephanie no can tell per EJ's orders.

Lexie has EJ sign the release forms as Kate walks up. They tell her about the eyeballectomy and Kate is soooooo sorry.

Santa Hernandez comes out and bumps into Santa Brady. They have a staredown. Great minds think alike," says Brady. Apparently bird brains think alike, too. The pair decides to get while the gettin' is good.

"I had cancer and now I'm cancer free," says Kate.

"I got shot and now I'm brain free," says EJ. He leaves.

Kate gives Lexie a present for Theo even though she and Stefano are on the outs. Stefano walks up.

Stephanie says she could get in a lot of trouble but tells Sami they are releasing Johnny. Sami hangs up, sighs and tells Will and Gabi the news. She vows to get Johnny back, "I am not gonna rest until I get Sydney and Johnny back here." "I hope you've got a lot of No-Doz," says Will.

At the Kiriakis mansion, Vivian bustles with Christmas stuff as Victor comes in growling into the phone. "You forgot to say bah, humbug," says Vivian. She reminds him if he had helped her get rid of Carly Hope wouldn't be in prison. Vivian has her painting there and Victor says the painter didn't capture the viciousness. He suggests she disappear. Vivian pouts.

Santa Brady finds Nicole and suggests she sit on his lap and tell him what she wants.

Ciara says she doesn't believe in Santa because her mommy and daddy won't be home for Christmas. Jennifer tells her they'll be home soon. If there's any significance to the date it'll probably be April Fools' Day.

Sami finishes wrapping a present for Johnny as beardless Santa Rafe comes in and tells her he visited Johnny. Sami tries to keep a stiff upper lip. Rafe gives Sami a kiss and it ain't his upper lip that's stiff.

Vivian announces dinner as Victor computes. It seems no one is there with them because no one wants to spend Christmas eve with her.

Lexie sees Stefano and runs like a frightened bunny rabbit. Stefano tells Kate giving a gift to Theo was thoughtful. He says he knows Johnny will be fine. Kate asks about Chad, but Stefano says that's none of her concern. Kate tells him to forget it and walks off.

EJ gives Lexie the release papers. Lexie suggests he tell Sami the good news. "Sami is destructive and needy," says EJ, "I am the only parent Johnny needs."

Sami comes in to find ornaments with her kids' pictures on them. Rafe made them and Sami loves them because they look just like the ones Johnny and Allie made in kindergarten.

Four adults can't outsmart Ciara. Try as they might, she still knows the score when it comes to Mommy and Daddy. Nathan and Stephanie arrive, but the adult-kids odds don't get any better.

Julie takes Doug aside and asks what they should do. Doug tells her what he'd like to do. "Besides that," gasps Julie. She suggests channeling Alice.

Will, Gabi, Rafe and Sami open presents. Will gives Gabi a present. She rips it open to find what looks like a camera. Will and Gabi give Sami a family picture. Sami uses that as an excuse to fall apart about the missing kids.

EJ, Nicole and Stefano come into the rumpus room. Johnny wonders if mommy is coming, too.

Sami and Rafe are down at the pier. He tells her he wants to give her something with no one around. "It's a little cold for that, isn't it," asks Sami.

They give each other a safehouse key. "Where we fell in love lust," says Rafe. He tells her the safehouse is on the market. Sami suggests going back to pay it a visit. Rafe says that would be like breaking and entering. "You still drive me crazy," says Rafe."

"It's a pretty short trip," says Sami.

Christmas dinner is over at Maggie's place. Nathan drops the big bomb, "I've decided to leave Salem."

Maggie says, "Gosh... and I thought Christmas was over."

Abe and Lexie arrive with Theo. Theo gives Ciara a stuffed dog just like his toy dog Charlie. Ciara has nothing for him in return, but all guys know that's just the way things go with women. The Guy Manual says so.

Maggie takes Stephanie and Nathan aside and says she can't believe they're leaving. Nathan tells her about Johns Hopkins. "If they've accepted you, they're not the prestigious institution they used to be," says Maggie. They all promise to stay in touch.

Lexie announces they have to leave for the DiMera mansion. Abe lectures Lexie for what EJ is doing to Sami.

Johnny wails for his mommy. Stefano tries to settle him down but Johnny ain' buyin' what Stefano is sellin'. Nicole steps in and talks Johnny out of his funk. She plays the "opening presents" card and takes him off to get one. EJ thanks her as Johnny tears into the wrapping.

Stefano steps out into the foyer and calls Chad. Chad doesn't want any part of him and hangs up. Stefano sighs, "Merry Christmas, son."

Julie wonders with Nathan leaving and Melanie gone if Maggie should get out and meet some new people. Maggie assures her she'll be fine. Julie asks if Maggie has thought about dating Victor. Maggie says Victor infuriates her, "It's been less than a year since I lost Mickey."

"Hardly," says Julie, "Mickey was always lost."

Maggie says in her private moments she's still grieving. Julie consoles her but says, "Mickey would want you to have some joy in life."

"How come he never wanted that when he was around," asks Maggie.

Doug asks Abe if he knows anything about Bo and Hope. Abe don' know nuthin'. He also doesn't know anything about Bo and Hope. He says he'll do what he can to keep them safe, but it's out of his hands, and leaves.

Julie tells Doug Abe's hands may be tied but her's aren't. She calls Victor to ask a favor, "I know your men are looking for Bo and Hope and I'm asking you to keep me informed." Victor agrees and asks Julie in return to wish Maggie a merry Christmas. She asks Maggie if she wants to talk to him. Maggie turns her down.

Kate comes into the den where the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. She finds a little box and opens it, "Whatever this is it had better involve diamonds." She opens it to find coal. If she waits long enough it could become a diamond.

Stefano announces it's time to open presents. The children squeal with delight. So do Johnny and Sydney. EJ asks Nicole to stay.

The Fearsome Foursome decorate the Horton tree. All the ornaments with names go up. Doug tells Julie she lifted everyone's spirits. "I might have to channel Alice more often," says Julie.

The Hernandez clan is in a strange place — church. Sami leaves as they read the Christmas story.

Victor asks Brady if he doesn't think he's had enough as Brady pours a drink. Brady says he can never have enough booze when Vivian is around. Kate and Vivian snipe at each other and Vivian leaves.

Theo reads the Christmas story. Stefano congratulates his abilities.

Lexie and Abe decide this hasn't been a terrible night. That's the what you
always want, isn't it. A non-terrible Christmas.

Back in church they all sing Silent Night...

Meanwhile, Sami sneaks up outside the rumpus room and looks in on the scene.

Doug and Julie put Johnny and Allie's bulbs on their tree and we pan to Alice's empty chair and then to her picture. Oh! The artistry!

Previews
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Caroline gasps, "Kayla! What are you doing here?"

Sami tells Nicole, "If you think he's actually going to let you in Sydney's life, then you're dreaming."

EJ tells Lexie, "I make the decisions, okay?"

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