Ben Affleck ‘Feeling Good’ After Spending Christmas With Ex-Wife

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s Christmas plans come after they spent Thanksgiving together.

Ben Affleck is heading into the new year with a new perspective and a positive mindset, and it’s all thanks to his ex. No, not that ex, we’re talking about Jennifer Garner!

For Christmas, the actor and filmmaker spent quality time with his first ex-wife and their three children: Violet, Fin and Samuel. According to an insiderBen feels “good about himself” after their festive family celebration.

“Now that Ben is back to his old routine, he feels good about himself,” the source said. “Spending time with Jen Garner and the kids over the holidays helped him feel like everything was right in his world again.”

But before anyone jumps to conclusions, this isn’t the start of a romantic reconciliation between Ben and Jennifer Garner. Even though the former couple has been spotted together frequently in recent months…including a particularly warm reunion on Thanksgiving– sources specify that they are simply committed to maintaining a solid co-parenting relationship.

An insider shared with People that Jennifer Garner remains “very happy” with her boyfriend, John Miller, and that her bond with Ben is all about their children and their friendship. “They are just friends and only care about their children, that’s all,” the source stressed.

Interestingly, Ben seems to be applying the same mature and friendly approach to his relationship with his other ex, Jennifer Lopez, amid their ongoing divorce. Despite their split, sources report that Ben and J.Lo “have every intention of continuing to be in each other’s lives even though they aren’t romantically involved.”

Their bond, while primarily focused on their children, speaks volumes about their mutual respect and commitment to keeping things civil. In fact, it was reported that Ben even picked out a thoughtful Christmas gift for Jennifer Lopez, highlighting the care and consideration he always shows her.

Over the weekend, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez met at the exclusive Soho House in West Hollywood to exchange Christmas gifts in a private setting. While details about what J.Lo got her ex-husband are being kept under wraps, Ben’s gift for Jennifer has been revealed — and it’s incredibly thoughtful.

According to Page sixthe 52-year-old actor selected a signed book by Marlon Brando for Jenniferknowing how much she admires the legendary actor. The special gift was purchased at Mystery Pier Books, a renowned bookstore on Sunset Boulevard. Store owner Louis Jason said Ben picked up “a few books” from the store before their exchange on Sunday.

“Ben gave Jennifer the book because she’s a fan, and her Super Bowl bodysuit was inspired by Marlon Brando. The gifts were mostly for each other’s children,” the source told the outlet. “But they also exchanged a few small things for each other. It was nothing fancy, but rather a gesture to celebrate the holiday. Ben and Jennifer have remained friendly despite ongoing divorce proceedings.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, often nicknamed “Bennifer”, have had a relationship that spans more than two decades, marked by two engagements and two marriages. Their first romance began in the early 2000s, leading to an engagement in 2002, which was later called off in 2004.

After nearly two decades apart, the couple rekindled their relationship in 2021, culminating in a Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. They celebrated a larger ceremony with family and friends in Georgia the following month.

However, on August 20, 2024, Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing April 26, 2024 as the separation date. This filing coincided with their second wedding anniversary. Lopez, who filed the divorce papers herself without legal representation, also requested to have her legal name restored to Jennifer Lynn Lopez.

As they navigate their divorce, Lopez and Affleck continue to focus on their respective careers and personal lives, striving to move forward while maintaining mutual respect and dedication to their family.