seedrat, the bud drop is a common thing it looks. Mine bloomed 3 times since nov. First time during nov they did very well and buds opened up but later two times they did not. It looks it likes cooler temperature. I kept it in a sun room with between 60-68f and it looks first time buds opened up may be because of cool temp. Watering also has it's effect on it i think. Some times i really forget and don't water for days and then those buds don't open up.
pic looks blurred. I think it is thanksgiving cactus not christmas but when I bought, it was labeled as christmas cactus.
