Podcast Summary:

The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast
Episode 75: "When Jeremy RUINED Christmas... Here's What Happened!"
Release Date: December 17, 2025
Hosts: Jinger Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo

Episode Overview

This holiday-themed episode is a festive, humorous, and sometimes heartfelt conversation about Christmas traditions, holiday mishaps, and "controversial" Christmas hot takes. Kicking off with Jeremy's infamous story of ruining Christmas by picking the least appropriate family movie, the hosts then dive into debates about gift-giving, consumerism, Santa, holiday foods, the "right" day to celebrate, and more—all laced with personal anecdotes and the easy banter fans love. The episode balances comedy and warmth with reflective moments on gift-giving and family connection.

Main Story: Jeremy Ruins Christmas (02:20–08:20)

• Jeremy’s Christmas Eve Failure:
  Jeremy recalls a notorious year in college when he unwittingly chose the disturbing thriller Mr. Brooks as a family movie on Christmas Eve—while his family anxiously awaited his brother's arrival in a blizzard.
  • "I near about derailed the entire holiday." —Jeremy (02:33)
  • "The movie is so dark... It's about a serial killer. And so the movie is so dark." —Jeremy (04:54)
  • Jinger is aghast at the choice:
    • "You thought that would be a good movie for Christmas Eve." —Jinger (05:00)
  • The emotional fallout: Jeremy's mother ends up crying just as the brother finally arrives, confused at the household's grim mood (06:25).
  • Reflection:
    • "Did you ever have those moments where you’re just in the moment, very aware you’ve screwed up the moment?" —Jeremy (07:26)

Heartfelt Balance: Jeremy's Redemption (08:20–11:10)

• Jeremy Making Christmas Special:
  To balance out the failed Christmas story, Jinger shares about the time Jeremy surprised her with a last-minute trip to Arkansas so she could see her family when homesick at the holidays (08:20).
  • "It was the best surprise... it just meant the world." —Jinger (10:57)

Christmas Hot Takes & Controversial Questions

Should Adults Exchange Gifts? (13:53–17:48)

• Jinger and Jeremy muse on whether Christmas gifts are just for kids or if adults should still exchange. Both value small, thoughtful gifts and sentimental gestures over extravagance.
  • "The gifts do get simpler as you get older." —Jeremy (14:35)
  • "If I have nothing on Christmas, I'm gonna be a little sad. We like gifts." —Jinger (15:51)
  • They cherish experiences and making memories as meaningful “gifts," such as family ski trips or ballet lessons for their daughter Felicity (16:22–17:05).

Has Consumerism Ruined Christmas? (18:42–21:04)

• Jinger laments the shift to thoughtless online shopping versus handmade or meaningful gifts.
  • "Because you can get something really cheap that lasts for two minutes and it breaks... it's easy to just do. It's like, 'Oh, no, I didn't get a gift. Ah, here's something.' " —Jinger (19:39)
  • Reminisces about heartfelt, homemade gifts from her mother and Jeremy’s handwritten notes (18:45–20:25).

Sentimental Gifts & Family Heirlooms (23:04–24:26)

• Stories of giving/receiving lockets with ancestral photos, handmade quilts from friends, and baby blankets—all treasured more deeply than expensive presents.

Does Christmas Have to Be Celebrated on Christmas Day? (24:26–26:29)

• Both are adamant: Christmas needs to be celebrated on December 25, not whenever convenient.
  • "I get a little sad if we’re having thought where... it’s gonna be a day later or two days later. That just doesn’t work for me..." —Jinger (24:53)
  • For birthdays and anniversaries, they’re flexible, but Christmas and Thanksgiving are “untouchable” (25:53).

Food Fights: Eggnog, Fruitcake, and Holiday Indulgence (26:29–31:29)

• Jeremy professes his love for eggnog; Jinger admits she’d never tried it before marrying him.
• Both agree that while moderation is important, holidays are a time for culinary indulgence.
  • "I'm a big eggnog supporter... But I do know there are some people who are anti-eggnog." —Jeremy (28:39)
  • Discussion on seasonal binge-eating, sugar crashes, and whether winter illnesses are due to cold weather or diet.

Magic of Santa and Holiday Mythology (31:30–35:38)

• The Vuolos explain their approach: they don’t emphasize Santa as a real figure but let their kids enjoy the tradition/fantasy, treating Santa much like Elsa or the Tooth Fairy.
  • "We've let Santa live in the same category as, like, Elsa." —Jeremy (32:22)
• They are careful not to “spoil” Santa for other families:
  • "We told Felicity, 'You’re not allowed to talk about that with other kids...'" —Jinger (35:14)
• Funny moments of their daughter Felicity questioning the Tooth Fairy, and delight at her realization Dad was the “Tooth Fairy” (33:34).

Reindeer: Real or Not? (35:38–41:24)

• Are reindeer real? (Yes, but they don’t fly!)
• "Well, because he [Rudolph] has antlers at Christmas, so he has to be female." —Jeremy (40:24)
• Jeremy shares first-hand stories from his time in Finland—including meeting "Santa" and encountering real reindeer in the Arctic (36:12–39:21).

Favorite Christmas Movies (42:30–45:09)

• Jeremy’s top pick: Elf.
  • "I could watch Elf on repeat and keep laughing." —Jeremy (43:11)
• Jinger’s favorite this year: Christmas with the Kranks (43:35).
• Thoughts on when to introduce classics like Home Alone to their kids, and concerns about “bad guys” in kids’ holiday movies.

Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees (46:45–48:06)

• The Vuolos currently use fake trees due to allergies, mess, and hassle—but fondly remember real trees and would like to have both options in the future.
  • "If you have allergies, go for the fake tree... but I get the charm of a real tree. The smell. There’s something about the smell..." —Jinger (46:47)
  • "If you’re not a botanist or your dad, it’s going to be really challenging." —Jeremy (47:30)

The “Xmas” Debate (45:42–46:44)

• Jeremy debunks the myth that “Xmas” takes Christ out of Christmas:
  • "It’s how Christians for centuries have referred to Christmas because of the chi in the Greek alphabet—the X, which was the early Christian symbol for Christ—Christos." —Jeremy (46:05)

Notable Quotes

• "Did you ever have those moments where you’re just in the moment, very aware you’ve screwed up the moment?" —Jeremy, (07:26)
• "I could watch Elf on repeat and keep laughing..." —Jeremy, (43:11)
• "If I have nothing on Christmas, I’m gonna be a little sad. We like gifts." —Jinger, (15:51)
• "We've let Santa live in the same category as, like, Elsa." —Jeremy, (32:22)

Key Timestamps

• 02:20–08:20 – Jeremy ruins Christmas story
• 08:20–11:10 – Jeremy’s sweet Christmas redemption
• 13:53–17:48 – Should adults exchange gifts?
• 18:42–21:04 – Has consumerism ruined Christmas?
• 23:04–24:26 – Sentimental gifts, heirlooms
• 24:26–26:29 – Why Christmas must be on the 25th
• 26:29–31:29 – Eggnog, fruitcake, and eating during the holidays
• 31:30–35:38 – Talking about Santa and the Tooth Fairy
• 35:38–41:24 – Reindeer, Finland, meeting “Santa”
• 42:30–45:09 – Best Christmas movies
• 45:42–46:44 – “Xmas” is not anti-Christian
• 46:45–48:06 – Fake vs. real Christmas trees

Tone & Style

The episode is lighthearted, full of banter, warmth, and quirky humor typical of Jinger and Jeremy. Sincere moments about family and faith are balanced with playful debates and gentle roasting (especially when it comes to questionable movie picks and Christmas traditions).

For First-Time Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with a mixture of laughter, a few new holiday hot takes, and perhaps a reminder that heartfelt traditions and family connections matter more than picture-perfect Christmases. Whether you're debating fake or real tree, craving eggnog, or considering whether to introduce Santa to your kids, the Vuolos’ relatable stories will make you feel right at home.

Merry Christmas!