Christmas is here, and Simone Biles is spending it with her husband, Jonathan Owens, for the first time alone since they got married! This year, instead of the typical big family celebration, they’re keeping it simple and low-key in Chicago. Simone shared this with Olympics.com on December 22, “Honestly, just the two of us. Nothing crazy. We’re going on vacations next year, so we kind of didn’t even do a big Christmas this year. Just relaxing. Then, we have to head back downtown to report to the hotel, so we’ll be with the team.” It’s a chill vibe this year, especially compared to past Christmases, when there was always some outside tension that kind of spoiled the fun. Remember last year?

In 2023, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens celebrated their Christmas in the sweetest way, matching pajamas and all! They shared some adorable photos of their holiday morning. Sitting on Jonathan Owens’ lap, Simone shared a kiss in front of a white Christmas tree in the first photo. The second showed them sipping on a red drink. However, the days leading up to Christmas weren’t without some controversy.

A week before that Christmas, Jonathan Owens made some comments on “The Pivot” podcast that sparked criticism. When asked how he managed to pull Simone Biles, Owens replied, “I’m like, ‘Lemme see who this is.’ I never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity.” He also admitted, “The first thing I saw was that she just had a bunch of [Instagram] followers. So, in my mind I’m like, ‘Okay, she’s gotta be good.’” Adding to the fire, Owens said, “I always say that the men are the catch.”

Owens’ comments didn’t sit well with many, especially given Simone’s immense fame and success. Despite the backlash, Owens posted a photo with Simone, captioning it, “Unbothered. Just know we locked in over here,” showing that the controversy didn’t affect their relationship at all. But as Simone Biles spends Christmas peacefully this year with Jonathan Owens, it’s clear that their holiday plans came with a bit of sacrifice, especially amidst Owens’ $4.7M NFL career.

Simone Biles, juggling quiet holiday moments with football commitments

Simone Biles is sacrificing her usual Christmas with family to be with her husband, Jonathan Owens. It’s a tough change, especially since her dad, Ronald Biles, always tried to make Christmas magical for her growing up. Back in 2008, Simone asked her dad for a dog, a request she and her sister had made every Christmas. After showing her dad how well they’d cared for the neighbor’s dog, he agreed on one condition: she had to qualify for the Western championship. Simone worked hard, placed first, and got her German shepherd, Magne. But at the same time this year, Christmas would be a bit hectic for them!

But Biles has been running into a little hiccup, getting the Christmas tree out of the basement! She told People, “I’ve been begging Jonathan to go down in the basement and get the tree.” It sounds like no Christmas is complete without the tree in the Biles-Owens household!

Even though Simone is looking forward to a quiet Christmas with Jonathan, there’s still some juggling to do. Jonathan just signed a 2-year, $4.75 million contract with the Bears, and he’s got a game to focus on right after Christmas. He’ll be facing the Seahawks at Soldier Field on December 26. So while Simone is excited for their first Christmas alone as a couple, it’s clear that football comes with its sacrifices even during the holidays. Still, it’s the little moments together that matter most!