Kelly Osbourne has spoken candidly about the pain of facing her first Christmas without her father, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July at the age of 76. As the festive season approaches, she admits that long‑standing family traditions now feel very different and deeply bittersweet.
Kelly, 41, shared a nostalgic video of Ozzy untangling strings of Christmas lights and preparing to decorate the family tree. In the clip, the Black Sabbath frontman wrestles with the lights in his typically humorous way, before calling out to his wife Sharon for help.
“We are meant to be putting up the Christmas tree today! It won’t be the same.”
This caption, posted on social media alongside a crying emoji, underlines how much she feels Ozzy’s absence as the family prepares for the holidays.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22 at his home in the UK, surrounded by close family, after years of health struggles including Parkinson’s disease and complications from previous injuries. His death has left a profound emptiness for his wife Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack as they head into their first festive season without him.
Kelly has explained that the family tradition of decorating the Christmas tree together can no longer feel the same without her father’s presence and energy. For her, even the simple act of putting up decorations is now a reminder of loss as well as love.
Sharon Osbourne has publicly thanked fans for the wave of love and support she received after Ozzy’s passing, saying that this kindness has helped her get through the early months of grief. She has also admitted that adjusting to life without her husband of 43 years has left her feeling unsteady and still “finding her footing.”
Kelly has previously shared that she slept in her parents’ room for about two months after Ozzy died so her mother would not be alone at night. She later stepped back a little, believing Sharon needed some space to process her loss in her own way.
At the same time, Ozzy’s son Jack is grieving while away from home as he competes on “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” in Australia. The reality show has reportedly offered some distraction, but he has still broken down in tears on air when speaking about his father’s death.
In one emotional conversation with a fellow contestant, Jack struggled to describe what he misses most about Ozzy, finally speaking about the extraordinary “force” and energy his father carried with him. He has previously recalled becoming emotional before Ozzy’s farewell performance earlier in the year, sensing it might be the last time he would watch his father on stage.
Ozzy’s final years were marked by serious health battles, including Parkinson’s disease and mobility issues linked to a 2019 fall that worsened an old spinal injury from a 2003 quad bike accident. Despite these challenges, he managed a farewell show shortly before his death, giving fans and family a final chance to see him perform.
Kelly has said that, while this Christmas and all future holidays will be different, the traditions she shared with her father now serve as powerful memories rather than purely joyful rituals. Her recent post, revisiting a simple moment of Ozzy putting up decorations, highlights how everyday scenes can become treasured reminders after someone is gone.
Author’s summary: Kelly Osbourne’s post shows how a small Christmas ritual with Ozzy became a powerful symbol of grief, love and change as the family enters its first holiday season without him.