S7, E11: Instead of celebrating Christmas while Rory was in London, Lorelai and Christopher (recurring guest star DAVID SUTCLIFFE) put their holidays on hold. Once Rory returns to Stars Hollow, they decorate several Christmas trees, do their shopping and even bake Christmas cookies for the first time as a family. After showing up unexpectedly at the inn, Luke asks Lorelai to write a character recommendation letter to help in his custody battle over April (recurring guest star VANESSA MARANO). Lorelai struggles to write the letter, until she and Rory run into Luke and April at the mall, and Lorelai suddenly remembers how important Luke has always been in Rory's life. Meanwhile, Rory decides to write an apology letter to her friend Lucy (recurring guest star KRYSTEN RITTER), explaining why she and Marty (recurring guest star WAYNE WILCOX) kept their past friendship a secret.