Bozoma Saint John Reveals the Holiday Tradition She Started After Her Husband Died 2 Weeks Before Christmas

Bozoma “Boz” Saint John’s unique Christmas tree is an homage to her late husband, Peter.

“We don’t decorate our Christmas tree like everyone else,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 48, shared in an Instagram Reel on Dec. 22.

“After my husband died right before Christmas in 2013, I wanted the season to hold wonder again… for Lael and for me,” she continued of her daughter, 16. “So we started a tradition: Every year, our tree becomes a place. Sometimes real. Sometimes imagined.”

In a montage of their trees over the year, she reveals festive decorations themed to places like Whoville, Hello Kitty Land and heaven, as well as global destinations including Brazil, Paris, New York City and Hawaii.

“This year, we chose Italy; where her father’s family comes from,” she writes. In the video from this Christmas, the mother-daughter pair wrap their tree in red, white and green feathered garlands and adorn it with Italy-themed ornaments like provolone cheese, an Italian Christmas cookie and a bottle of prosecco.

“What began as healing has become tradition. One that keeps growing, expanding, and making room for love in all its forms,” Bozoma concludes her post.

Last year, they remembered Peter in another special way.

In a 2024 post alongside footage of Lael ice skating and spending time with her dad, Bozoma explained, “Lael loves to ice skate. It was an activity that she and her dad loved and when he died she wanted me to take her.”

“It was hard for me,” she continued. “But it brought her so much joy. Shortly after, we moved to LA so we didn’t get a chance to spend Christmas in NY anymore… Until now.” 

Alongside her caption Bozoma shared a video showing her humorously less-than-enthusiastic expression while Lael patiently waits for her mom to lace up her skates.

“Because I love her and I’d do anything for her. Including ice skating 10 years later. SMDH,” Bozoma wrote over a clip of her cautiously making her way toward the rink’s edge.

The post finished with a sweet clip of them smiling together on the ice. “For those who are reviving Christmas traditions… We send you love!” she wrote.