1999: Since Stephanie is recovering from her stroke, the holiday celebration is held at Ridge and Taylor's new home (formally owned by Pierce). Amber gives a heartwarming speech about belonging to a family, and Eric sits down at the piano to play "Silent Night" as everyone sings along. But Thorne is once again missing as he meets up with his secret lover Brooke for their own little party.

2003: It's quite a mixed bag of guests who show up at the Forrester manse for Christmas. Aside from the hosts, Eric and Stephanie, others in attendance include Ridge, Brooke, Samantha, Massimo, Jackie and Nick (Rick would arrive as soon as he was done caroling with the kids). We also learn for the first time that volunteering at a local homeless shelter is a Forrester tradition (yeah, right). With Macy gone, Thorne and Darla try to get a depressed Sally to come with them to his family's fete, but La Spectra wants to stay behind in the dark and look through photo albums while listening to her late daughter's records. After Thorne and Darla depart, Stephanie arrives and gives her pal a locket with their pictures inside. Sally is touched and later bursts in at the Forrester house dressed as Santa Claus.

2004: With Thorne and Ridge at each other's throats, it looks like their parents are spending Christmas alone. But the boys set aside their differences and Eric and Stephanie are bowled over when their sons, as well as Amber, Thomas, Hope, R.J., Brooke, Darla, Alexandria, Massimo, Clarke, Sally, Bridget, Nick, Samantha, Hector, Caitlin and Jimmy, come through the door (Jackie is elsewhere with Deacon). Eric tinkles the ivories so that everyone can sing "I'll Be Home For Christmas."

2005: Since Felicia's cancer has returned, she's sure this will be her last Christmas on Earth and wants to make the most of it. Eric and Stephanie don't feel the yuletide spirit, but still convene family and friends per their daughter's request. Jackie and Massimo meet their new grandson, Dominick Jr. ("Dino"), for the first time. Everyone is surprised when a minister shows up and Felicia reveals that she summoned him so that Dino could be christened. After the ceremony and the party gets hopping, Felicia happily watches. "They say that you can choose your friends, but not your family," she says to herself, "but you do. Every morning, you put them on, like a worn shirt. Loving them, hating them, it doesn't matter. I chose them long ago. Before I knew anything. Before I was anything."