Bachelor Happy Hour – “Jingle Ballin’ with Bachelor Nation” | December 12, 2025

Hosts: Joe Amabile & Serena Pitt
Notable Guests: Kathy, Susan, Joan, Zach Shallcross, Katie Thurston, other Bachelor Nation favorites
Location: Los Angeles (special episode for Jingle Ball weekend)

Episode Overview

In this festive holiday edition, newlywed hosts Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt take Bachelor Happy Hour on the road to Los Angeles for Jingle Ball. Joined by Bachelor Nation staples including Kathy, Susan, Joan, Zach Shallcross, and Katie Thurston, the group dives into holiday traditions, travel hacks, Christmas memories, and relationship and life updates. The episode brims with warmth, hilarious moments, and the inside scoop on life after the shows—all in the Bachelor family’s naturally candid style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disneyland Adventures & The LA Experience

• Joe and Serena kick off by recapping their Disneyland day with Susan and Kathy:
  • Favorite Rides:
    • Joe loved Haunted Mansion’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” holiday twist (04:30).
    • Universal acclaim for the Star Wars ride, despite its steep $400 million price tag (05:00).
    • “The Star Wars ride was incredible. There’s no tracks, you’re sliding around—it’s a mix of a ride and an experience.” – Joe Amabile [05:00]
  • Sweet treats were a highlight:
    • “Joe could get the pineapple Dole whip… honestly, it was so good.” – Serena Pitt [07:42]
    • Classic banter as Kathy jokes: “Was there vodka in it?” [07:58]

2. Holiday Traditions in Bachelor Nation

• The episode pivots to homespun stories as the group shares what their holidays look like:
  • Susan: Italian-American feasts, swapping traditional ravioli for “the best stuffed shells I’ve ever had” (08:44).
  • Kathy: Sticking to turkey and mashed potatoes and outsourcing Christmas dinner hosting to her daughter this year (09:43).
  • Joe & Serena: Rotating between family homes in Toronto and Chicago. They reminisce about a sun-soaked post-Christmas trip to Costa Rica: “I’m actually, like, depressed that we’re not going.” – Serena Pitt [11:44]
  • Joan: A unique pineapple soufflé is a family favorite; skips turkey at Christmas, prefers “tenderloin filet and salmon” [25:16]. She admits: “If I could be selfish, I’d order Chinese food.” [25:59]
  • Elf on the Shelf: Joan describes the elaborate set-up for her grandkids—footprints and all. “My daughter and son-in-law do the whole thing. It’s so elaborate. I’m glad that didn’t exist when my kids were little!” [27:03]

3. New Year’s Resolutions—Some Serious, Some Silly

• The conversation takes a self-improvement turn:
  • Kathy: Doesn’t believe in resolutions—“My deal is every day is a new day. If you want to change your life, start today.” [12:33]
  • Susan: Keeps it classic: “Eat healthier, start exercising… it just doesn’t work.” [12:58]
  • Joe: Committed to stretching 15 minutes a day, pushing for mobility and longevity [13:03]
  • Serena: Shares her morning “three minute squat” routine for mobility [13:31]
  • Joan: Thinking of cutting back on sugar after learning "sugar feeds cancers" [34:44]
  • Resignation and Realism: “I do this, I do this… but I’m gonna try to do seven day a week—minimum of a 15 minute stretch every day.” – Joe Amabile [13:03]
  • Tradition Quirks: Susan previously owed “the church a dollar” every time she swore [14:06]

4. Relationship and Life Updates: Check-Ins with Bachelor Alums

Joan

• Spending December with her partner in New York City, then back to Maryland for Christmas—making new life traditions post-show [29:31]
• Open to “the magic of Times Square” for New Year’s, but wary of the crowd (30:03)

Zach and Katie

• Recap of their recent Austin wedding celebration, complete with a pickleball-fueled welcome party and smooth, no-drama festivities [37:25–47:16]
  • “We had the pickleball tournament, which was kind of like our version of a welcome party…” – Katie Thurston [37:33]
  • Late-night food hack: Raising Canes delivered at midnight [46:15]
  • No wedding mishaps: “No, everyone got along. It was fun watching the worlds blend.... No drama, very smooth.” – Zach Shallcross [46:54]
• First Christmas as a married couple: Katie’s working at the hospital, so early celebrations with Zach’s family in California [47:52]
• “I’m so over traveling. I just want our house to be built and to decorate it. I want a family.” – Katie Thurston [48:41]
• Baby talk: They share their thoughts on timing parenthood, navigating school system cut-offs and admitting you ultimately “can’t really plan it.” [49:22–50:34]

Joe & Serena

• Discuss the quirks of cross-border holiday plans and joke about not wanting “an Aquarius male child!” [50:41]
• Both hosts express gratitude for Bachelor friendships and the unique way Bachelor Nation celebrates together

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kathy, with vintage sass:
  • “Was there vodka in it?” (re: Dole Whip) [07:58]
  • “I would rather go to the gym, run six miles... anything other than cook.” [14:55]
• Serena on the Christmas spirit:
  • “Pre-Christmas, as soon as Christmas Day hits, I actually want to leave—Christmas Day at 5pm get me on a flight and I’m gone.” [12:08]
• Susan’s holiday wisdom:
  • “I have to make the exact same food every year. Although I’m going to slip it up a little. And I’m not telling anybody still, I’ll have a fit!” [08:44]
• Joan on family food traditions:
  • “Holiday recipes are all about the things my kids like… even if they’re not my favorite, they’re my family’s favorite, so I make them.” [24:43]
• Katie on emotions at her wedding:
  • “I got choked up within like, three seconds. Then Zach took over. Thank God.” [45:15]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:14–08:00] – Disneyland talk, favorite rides, Dole Whip adventures, and travel hacks with Delta SkyMiles.
• [08:31–17:59] – Group discussion on holiday family traditions and food; “rata” vs. “ricotta”; festive banter.
• [12:26–14:55] – New Year’s resolutions—why most are broken, and why Kathy hates them.
• [24:04–34:39] – Interview with Joan: recipes, parenting/grandparenting, and rethinking Christmas dinner.
• [37:12–47:44] – Zach and Katie's wedding recap—party highlights, zero drama, and new holiday plans.
• [47:46–50:59] – Married life logistics, family plans, baby timing, and the Canada-U.S. school system discussion.
• [51:02–51:57] – Jingle Ball plans and excitement.

Bachelor Nation Matchmaking & Fun

• “Is there any singles out there in Bachelor Nation that you think should get together?” [17:19]
  • Mercedes gets a mention, with Kathy hopeful: “I would love to see her [match]. Yes, she’s gonna be at Jingle Ball tonight—she’s got a hot date.” [17:47]

Authentic Tone & Takeaways

The episode matches the upbeat, familial, slightly irreverent Bachelor Happy Hour tone, mixing real-life vulnerability, playful ribbing, and behind-the-scenes moments with holiday warmth. Listeners who haven’t tuned in will still feel in on the jokes, yearly traditions, and the relatable chaos of Bachelor family gatherings, while also picking up a few practical travel and holiday hosting ideas along the way.

Best for:
Bachelor Nation fans hungry for life updates, authentic stories, and the comfort of tradition—served with the group’s signature blend of humor and heart.