How Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Celebrated Christmas Amid Her Skull Surgery Recovery

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert are feeling merry and bright. 

Nearly two weeks after Hayley underwent emergency skull surgery, she and the Dancing With the Stars judge celebrated their first Christmas together as a married couple. 

"Cherishing the greatest gift of all. The precious gift of life and the love we share," they wrote in a joint Instagram. "Hold your loved ones close and treasure every moment."

And they're taking their own advice. In their snap, the newlyweds—who said "I do" in August—were seen sharing a sweet kiss while cuddled up under the tree. As they wrote, "Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!"

It's a moment they weren't sure they would get to share. After all, following their Dec. 6 Symphony of Dance tour performance in Washington, D.C., Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital. There, she was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and, during surgery, part of her skull was removed to ease pressure on her brain.

"While this isn't the holiday season either of us envisioned, it's one that we're incredibly grateful to have," Hough wrote on Instagram Dec. 15, while detailing the "life-threatening" moment that turned their worlds upside down. "We look forward to cherishing these moments with a deeper appreciation for life and the people in it."

A successful follow-up surgery lifted their spirits even more.

"This surgery marks a significant milestone in my wife's recovery journey, and your support has played a crucial role in getting us here," the 38-year-old shared Dec. 21. "We are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing she is on the path to a full recovery, surrounded by such a loving community...We love you."

For more of that love, read on to see how all your favorite stars are ringing in the holiday season...

Two weeks after she underwent emergency surgery, Hayley and the Dancing with the Stars judge husband celebrated their first Christmas together as a married couple.

The Goop founder spent Christmas morning with kids Apple, 19, and Moses, 15, who she shares with ex Chris Martin.

The Paris in Love star took her and husband Carter Reum's 13-month-old son Phoenix to Disneyland on Christmas Eve.

Christmas proved to be good 4 the singer, who rang in the holiday with Guts-themed ornaments. 

The Emily in Paris star and her husband woke up on Christmas morning to isses from their dog. "Merry Christmas, everyone!" she wrote on Instagram. "From our lil family to yours."

The Oscar winner showed off her dinner table setting, writing on Instagram, "Merry Christmas from my family to Yours."

The brother-sister duo rang in Christmas with their mom Joan Grande.

The Grease alum went skiing with his kids Benjamin, 12, and Ella, 22.

The Dancing With the Stars judge shared a sweet kiss with his wife—who underwent two surgeries on her skull in December—under the Christmas tree.

The daytime talk show co-hosts were feeling the "Big Nick Energy" on Christmas.

They got the boy for Christmas! The singer and her fiancé snuggled with their newborn son Roman.

The Selling Sunset star and the musician celebrated their first Christmas as a married couple in Australia.

The pregnant singer and her husband celebrated their "last Christmas as a family of 5" with their kids Vivianne, 9, Eric "Bubby" Jr., 8, and Forrest, 5, in matching PJs.

The supermodel and the Tokio Hotel rocker had Christmas at the beach.

The actress wrote on Instagram, "Happy Holidays from our bonkers family to yours."

It's a Buffy reunion!  Willow and Anya volunteered at the Los Angeles Mission's 2023 Christmas Celebration.

Victoria Beckham and David Beckham appeared with three of their four kids—Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham and Brooklyn Beckham—and daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz Beckham in a holiday pic the fashion designer shared Dec. 23.

The model gave a look at husband Joshua Kushner lighting the menorah for Hanukkah.

The Love Is Blind star shared a photo of her family's bright Hanukkah celebrations.

The Lord (Disick) hath spoken.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum captioned this Dec. 7 snap of his home, "HAPPY HANUKKAH MY JEWS!!!"

Khloe shared a holly jolly look at kids True and Tatum Thompson, along with their cousin Dream Kardashian.

The Glass Onion star rings in the Festival of Lights with her 5-year-old daughter Rani.

The Live With Kelly and Mark cohost set up her Christmas tree on Dec. 1, joking on Instagram, "She’s dressed to impress."

The singer got the party started on the first night of Hanukkah by letting her daughter Willow, 12, light the menorah. 

The Jersey Shore star and her husband Jionni LaValle took in some GTL—gym, tan, lights—during this holiday season.

The Jeopardy! host ushered in the first night of Hanukkah with not one, but three menorahs. 

The Today anchor got some help from daughters Haley, 6, and Hope, 4, to set up the Christmas tree.

The country star shared a sparkling look at the first Christmas tree in her new home, adding, "i'm gonna cry."

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe's daughter asked if it's "still too early for a holiday sweater" on Nov. 13. Clearly not!

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