It’s the most wonderful time of the year, yet again, and many of us are feeling the Christmas spirit a few days leading up to the big day. We’re all caught up in the Christmas rush as we do last-minute gift shopping, decorate our homes with holly, ivy, mistletoe, and fill our lovely trees with garlands and trinkets, not to mention attend one holiday party after another. Christmas is certainly a time of not just good cheer, but of relaxing and spending quality time with family and loved ones. And this holds true for everybody, even our favorite busy celebrities.
It’s nice to know that during the holidays, famous people are just like us, carving their own holiday traditions and passing them on to their loved ones and children. It’s fun to scour social media and news outlets to see what they’re up to for Christmas. Here are some of the practices and customs our favorite celebrities have been doing or at least, try to do for at least one Christmas. Maybe this can give some of us ideas for our own traditions.
14 Chris Pratt and Anna Faris
[caption id="attachment_20902" align="alignnone" width="1024"] via: popsugar.com[/caption]
They’re one of the cutest celebrity couples in Hollywood, with an adorable son to boot! When Chris Pratt and Anna Faris tied the knot a few years back, a collective “awwww” probably went out of everyone’s mouths. It’s especially adorable the way they dote on their son Jack, who was born premature, but is progressing beautifully thanks to his parents’ love and devotion. Faris reveals that during the holidays, the whole family, including extended members, gathers around the table and shares a sentiment or memory about a pre-selected subject, like best vacation or best wedding.
13 Jennifer Morrison
[caption id="attachment_20903" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via: cineplex.com[/caption]
Though she lives in a fairy tale in her “reel” life, Jennifer Morrison’s character Emma Swan in the hit TV show Once Upon a Time doesn’t have everything rosy all the time, as she battles dragons, struggles with her abandonment issues, and fights to rescue her true love. Luckily in real life, the actress grew up with a fairly normal life and today has a not-too-shabby career as both an actress and budding director. She comes from a very close-knit family and makes sure to spend the holidays with them. Last Christmas, her family went for a 1940s theme and they all donned period outfits befitting the decade, as they celebrated with good food and champagne.
12 Hugh Jackman
[caption id="attachment_20904" align="alignnone" width="2000"] via: huffingtonpost.com[/caption]
The Australian heartthrob seems to be a jack of all trades: he can act, sing, dance, he’s athletic, he’s a philanthropist, and above all of that, he’s a doting husband and father. Hugh Jackman has certainly come a long way in the entertainment industry, hailing from Australia and taking on Hollywood and Broadway like it was nothing. It’s no surprise that Jackman and his wife Deborra take the Christmas tradition of giving to heart. He says that aside from making pavlova (an Australian tradition), he and his family host orphans for Christmas.
11 Jessica Alba
[caption id="attachment_20906" align="alignnone" width="1627"] via: dailymail.co.uk[/caption]
For someone who comes from a close-knit family that’s big on tradition, it’s no surprise that Jessica Alba is passing on the old ways to her children. It just so happens that her husband Cash Warren also comes from a big, traditional family, so it’s practically expected that they’d like to carry on their practices to their kids. According to Alba, they host a big dinner with extended family on both sides during Christmas. Aside from the usual gift giving, they all sing carols together and do a Christmas ornament exchange.
10 Eva Longoria
[caption id="attachment_20911" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via: mirror.co.uk[/caption]
Out of all the stars in the now-defunct TV show Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria is the one who’s consistently been in the spotlight. It doesn’t help that she was once married to NBA player Tony Parker, had a lavish wedding, and became embroiled in a bitter divorce. But one thing’s for sure, Longoria is considered one of Hollywood’s hot properties. For Christmas, she says she bonds with her family by making tamales with them. She says making the delicious Mexican dish is like being in an assembly line, which makes for lots of fun and laughter.
9 Julie Bowen
[caption id="attachment_20913" align="alignnone" width="970"] via: nydailynews.com[/caption]
Once you get married and have kids, the holidays are some of the more challenging times because you have to decide how to divide your time with whose side of the family. Julie Bowen and her husband got smart and worked out a system, so as to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings by non-attendance during a celebration. The mother of three said their family has two Christmas celebrations every other year. One Christmas celebration is spent during Thanksgiving with her family and the actual Christmas cheer is spent with her in-laws.
8 Busy Philipps
She’s been a fixture in Hollywood for a couple of decades, not as a leading lady but as that quirky, ditzy supporting character to the ones who get top billing. Busy Philipps has been entertaining us with her brand of comedy in films like Made of Honor and TV shows like Cougar Town. In real life, Philipps is wife to screenwriter Marc Silverstein and a loving mom to two adorable little girls, who thoroughly enjoy Christmas, thanks to Philipps. She surprised her kids with a magical elf display in their festive home.
7 Colton Haynes
[caption id="attachment_20919" align="alignnone" width="930"] via: june.fr[/caption]
For those who are into the supernatural and superhero genre, you’d probably know who Colton Haynes is. Initially, he comes across as another pretty face in Hollywood, but after roles in the supernatural teen drama series Teen Wolf and as Arsenal in the DC superhero hit TV show Arrow, you’ll know that Haynes is making his way to serious actor status. Haynes is certainly making his way up in the world, and he posted a photo on Instagram last Christmas, featuring him posing beside the Christmas tree in his new home, wearing the token “ugly” Christmas sweater.
6 Britney Spears
[caption id="attachment_20924" align="alignnone" width="1200"] via: youtube.com[/caption]
While it’s true that Britney Spears has had a very colorful personal life in recent years, starting from her divorce from Kevin Federline and ending in her very public mental breakdown, the absolute constants in her life are her two sons Sean and Jayden and her three adorable dogs. She has clearly come a long way since those dark days and is grateful she gets to spend the holidays with them. Last Christmas, she posted a photo of her three dogs in Santa outfits, undoubtedly much to the delight of her two boys.
5 Miranda Kerr
[caption id="attachment_20926" align="alignnone" width="1536"] via: huffingtonpost.ca[/caption]
She’s one of the most well-known supermodels in the world and it’s not just because she was married to hottie Orlando Bloom. Miranda Kerr is successful in her own right, holding the distinction of being the first Australian to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel and strut her stuff down the runway of the most highly anticipated fashion show of the year. She’s also mother to Flynn, her son by Bloom and because of her boy, she holds fast to Christmas traditions. During one Christmas, she bonded with her son and extended family by making gingerbread houses from scratch.
4 James Franco
[caption id="attachment_20930" align="alignnone" width="800"] via: davefrancoworld.tumblr.com[/caption]
Being part of a family that’s big on academics and higher education can be quite tough. But James Franco took on the mantle with ease, obtaining a degree from UCLA in English, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a PhD from Yale. Added to that, he has an Academy Award nomination under his belt. With all his accomplishments, it’s great to see that James Franco still knows how to kick back and relax, especially over the holidays. He posted a photo of himself and his siblings on a giant trampoline as his family’s official Christmas family photo.
3 Kaley Cuoco
[caption id="attachment_20932" align="alignnone" width="1085"] via: abcnews.go.com[/caption]
Newly single Kaley Cuoco has never really let troubles in her personal life deter her from having a good time. She got her start in Hollywood as Bridget Hennessy in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules. She’s currently enjoying constant fame as Penny in the hit comedy show Big Bang Theory. Cuoco’s private life took a beating when it was reported that she and husband Ryan Sweeting were divorcing, but luckily, she still has her lovely dogs to keep her company. She posted a photo on Instagram showing her adorable canines dancing with her to Mariah Carey Christmas songs.
2 Vanessa Hudgens
[caption id="attachment_20933" align="alignnone" width="1024"] via: dailymail.co.uk[/caption]
She has certainly come a long way since her High School Musical days, and today, Vanessa Hudgens is one of Hollywood’s more versatile actresses. She has even been on Broadway, thanks to her acting chops and singing voice. She’s quite active on social media as well, garnering millions of followers. Hudgens spends Christmas with her family and in 2014, she posted a photo of herself, her younger sister, and another loved one having a blast in Disneyland.
1 British Royal Family
[caption id="attachment_20934" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via: metro.co.uk[/caption]
Everyone the world over is vastly fascinated with royalty, and no royal family is as popular (or scandal-ridden) as the British Royal Family. The media and the public follow its members’ every move, especially when it comes to their formalities and traditions. This isn’t any truer than during the Christmas season. Every year, Princes William and Harry partake in a football game with the employees of Sandringham Estate. On Christmas Eve, the whole family gathers for afternoon tea in the estate’s White Drawing Room, followed by a black-tie dinner and drinks in the evening.
Sources: usmagazine.com, magazine.com, popsugar.co.uk, instagram.com
