Christmas Day episodes don’t have to be long to be meaningful. In this special holiday check-in, Building Better Developers keeps things simple: a quick “good thing / bad thing” recap of the year, a few favorite Christmas traditions, and a reminder that downtime isn’t wasted time—it’s part of staying healthy, creative, and ready for what’s next.
These Christmas 2025 reflections land on something most developers (and most humans) need to hear at the end of the year: you’re allowed to slow down.
Christmas 2025 Reflections: A Quick Holiday Check-InRob opens with a cheerful “Merry Christmas!” and a nod to the show’s holiday tradition. Every year, these seasonal episodes act like a marker—something that signals the shift from deadlines and deliverables to family, food, and a little breathing room.
Even if Christmas isn’t your holiday, the message still holds: many places are quieter this week, and that pause can be a gift all by itself.
These Christmas 2025 reflections aren’t about productivity hacks. They’re about permission to rest.
Christmas 2025 Reflections on a Busy Year and What Comes NextOne of the big themes is transition. Rob shares that he’s closing out a very busy year—and doing it while traveling. He isn’t even on the same continent during the recording, taking time for a mini-vacation before heading into a longer “digital nomad” stretch.
That’s the good thing: new experiences, new energy, and a fresh way to look at life and work.
The bad thing is also real: travel and change can be taxing. It’s hard to choose what you truly need, what you want to keep, and what you have to leave behind—even when those “extras” feel comforting. The point isn’t to complain; it’s to acknowledge that even good changes come with stress.
Christmas 2025 Reflections on Keeping the Show FocusedMichael jumps in with his own holiday greeting and a quick introduction—then immediately jokes about needing a better slogan. Rob playfully turns that into a “gift” for the year ahead: tighten the intro, shorten the self-promo, and get listeners to the core content faster.
It’s a small moment, but it’s a lesson that applies everywhere: whether you’re building software, running a meeting, or creating content, removing friction matters.
A great experience isn’t just what you add—it’s what you simplify.
Christmas 2025 Reflections: Traditions That Actually Recharge YouThe episode shifts into the good stuff: Christmas Day memories and simple traditions.
Rob describes the classic rhythm of a cozy holiday morning—gifts, a big breakfast, and then that happy, half-comatose stretch of the day where nobody is trying to be impressive. Music in the background, maybe a movie on, and (in a family full of gamers) someone playing what they just opened for the next few days straight.
Michael’s plan is just as relatable: it’s family day. There will be some game time, because when football takes over the TV, he’s happy to switch over to Pokémon and do a little shiny hunting. Christmas Eve is often the big cooking day, which makes Christmas Day more relaxed—leftovers, sandwiches, and an easy pace. The kids who aren’t living at home come by later, gifts get opened together, and the goal is simple: be present and enjoy the day.
These Christmas 2025 reflections aren’t trying to sell you a perfect holiday. They’re pointing out that the best traditions are often the least complicated.
Christmas 2025 Reflections: A Small Health Reality CheckRob also shares a practical lesson: he intentionally moved his annual physical away from the holidays.
Why? Because the holiday season is famous for heavy food, sweets, less exercise, and more indulgence. When your checkup lands right after all that, it’s not exactly a confidence booster. It’s funny, but it’s also honest—habits change with seasons, and your body reflects that.
The takeaway isn’t guilt. It’s awareness. Enjoy the season, but also recognize patterns and plan accordingly.
Christmas 2025 Reflections: Closing Thoughts for the Year AheadThe episode wraps with a simple message: enjoy the day. Eat the meal. Take a nap. Watch the movie. Recharge in whatever way feels right—whether that’s family time, quiet time, or game time.
Rob mentions the New Year’s special is coming soon, and that one will shift toward planning for the year ahead. But for now, the best thing you can do is step away from work and take care of yourself.
The best Christmas 2025 reflections are the ones that leave you restored—not just entertained.
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year.
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Additional Resources Thankful For Friends, Family, Even Co-Workers A Week Full of Thanks and Thankfulness The Magic of Christmas Movies: A Heartwarming Tradition Building Better Foundations Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content