For Erin Bates Paine, the simple act of sitting at a piano and letting her fingers glide across the keys is more than just a musical performance—it is a testament to a hard-won recovery that many feared might never come. As the year draws to a close, the former Bringing Up Bates star is embracing the holiday season with a profound sense of perspective, marking a major milestone in a journey that saw her move from the brink of tragedy to a joyous Christmas celebration surrounded by her husband, Chad Paine, and their seven children.
The road to this December was paved with significant hardship. Just four months ago, the family’s world was upended following the birth of their seventh child, a son named Henry. What should have been a time of pure celebration quickly turned into a life-threatening medical crisis when Erin developed a severe infection that escalated into septic shock. Sepsis, a condition where the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ dysfunction, is a terrifying ordeal for any patient, but for a mother of a newborn and six other young children, the stakes were unimaginably high.
The complications did not end with the initial infection. During her harrowing stay in the hospital, Erin suffered a seizure that left her with a frightening loss of mobility. For weeks, the woman known for her grace and constant activity found herself unable to use her leg. The physical toll was matched by an emotional one, as the family navigated the uncertainty of her long-term health. In the depths of the crisis, Erin was "carried, wheeled, and held up," relying entirely on the strength of her husband, her medical team, and the prayers of a vast community of supporters.
However, by October, the narrative began to shift from one of survival to one of restoration. In an emotional update shared with her followers, the 34-year-old revealed that she had taken her first "wobbly" steps after weeks of paralysis. It was a breakthrough that felt like a miracle to the Paine family. "I don’t even have the words," Erin reflected at the time, expressing a heart "overflowing with gratitude" for the ability to stand once more. This physical recovery set the stage for a Christmas that the family describes as "different" from any they have experienced before—one defined by a deep appreciation for the gift of life and the presence of their loved ones.
In a festive video shared on December 26, the Paine household was the picture of holiday warmth. Erin, reclaimed by her love for music, played the piano while Chad and their children—Carson, 10; Brooklyn, 8; Everly, 7; Holland, 5; Finley, 3; William, 2; and baby Henry—gathered around her. The scene was a stark, beautiful contrast to the hospital rooms and wheelchairs of the previous months. "After a year that stretched us deeply, this Christmas feels different," the couple shared, noting that their hearts are full of gratitude for the spiritual and physical healing they have witnessed.
The Paines were not alone in their celebratory spirit, as the wider world of entertainment saw many stars marking the end of the year with their own significant milestones, new additions, and reflections on resilience.
For many in Hollywood, this year represented a "first" of the most precious kind. Justin and Hailey Bieber shared a glimpse into their first Christmas as parents to son Jack Blues Bieber. In a series of sweet updates, the couple showed the 16-month-old dressed in a miniature Santa hat, a symbol of the new chapter they have begun as a family of three. Similarly, Emily in Paris star Lily Collins celebrated her inaugural holiday with daughter Tove, whom she shares with husband Charlie McDowell. The joy of a first Christmas was also a theme for Olivia Culpo and NFL star Christian McCaffrey, who took their 5-month-old daughter, Colette, to Disneyland to experience the magic of the season.
In the sports world, Patrick and Brittany Mahomes embraced the chaos and joy of a family of five. Dressed in matching plaid pajamas, the Super Bowl champion and his wife celebrated their first Christmas since welcoming their third child, proving that even for global icons, the best moments are often the ones spent at home in flannel. Meanwhile, gymnastics legend Simone Biles took a well-deserved break from her historic year to get cozy with her husband, Jonathan Owens, marking their holiday with quiet reflection and togetherness.
However, the holidays are often a complex mix of joy and grief, a reality that Ryan Seacrest touched upon with moving honesty. The American Idol host navigated his first Christmas since the passing of his father, Gary Seacrest, in October. "First Christmas without Dad, but holding him close in all the ways we can," Seacrest shared, a sentiment that resonated with many who find the empty chair at the table to be the most poignant part of the season.
In the realm of personal growth and triumph, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino marked a milestone that surpassed any festive tradition. The Jersey Shore alum celebrated a full decade of sobriety this December. Posing with his wife Lauren and their children, Romeo and Mia, Sorrentino’s holiday was a celebration of a life transformed—a decade of health and presence that he once thought might be out of reach.
The season also brought moments of humor and the "realities" of parenting, perhaps best exemplified by Chrissy Teigen. The cookbook author’s attempt to "create magic" for her children resulted in a dental emergency when she broke a veneer while trying to open a package of candy canes with her teeth. "This is what moms do for their kids," she joked, reminding her followers that even the most glamorous holiday plans can be derailed by a stubborn piece of plastic and a mother’s determination.
In Australia, Nicole Kidman enjoyed a summer-styled Christmas Eve in Sydney. The Oscar winner was spotted heading to a party with her daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, showcasing her natural curls and a relaxed, familial vibe that highlighted her roots. Across the globe in the UK, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner snuggled up for their celebrations, with the "Don’t Start Now" singer proudly announcing that she had "smashed the cooking" after months away from the kitchen.
The holiday season also provided a backdrop for families navigating change. Love is Blind stars Alexa and Brennon Lemieux put their ongoing divorce proceedings aside to ensure their 17-month-old daughter, Vienna, had a unified Christmas. Similarly, Hoda Kotb reunited with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, to celebrate with their daughters, Haley and Hope, emphasizing that the spirit of the season often calls for grace and the prioritizing of family bonds.
As the Christmas lights continue to twinkle, the Jewish community also celebrated the Festival of Lights. Stars like Mayim Bialik, Jessica Seinfeld, and Scott Disick shared images of their menorahs. Bialik, a vocal advocate for her heritage, showed a house filled with multiple menorahs, noting that her family chose to "light them all" to bring as much light as possible into the world.
Whether it was through the lens of a miraculous recovery like Erin Bates Paine’s or the quiet tradition of a decade of sobriety like Mike Sorrentino’s, this year’s holiday season has been a powerful reminder of human resilience. For Erin, the ability to stand, to play, and to hold her seven children is the ultimate gift. As she moves into the New Year, she does so not just as a survivor of sepsis, but as a woman who has found a new, profound "awe" in every single step forward.
