Just like the rest of us, most celebrities look forward to the holiday season all year long — especially winter vacation, that glorious time of year when everyone unplugs and takes a few days or weeks off to spend time with loved ones. Celebrity parents understandably seem to get especially festive this time of year because, well, it’s always special to view the holidays through the eyes of a child.
It’s easy to assume celebrities spend their winter vacation with their kiddos jet-setting off to luxurious locales to hit the slopes or bask on a white sand beach. But you know what? The photos celebrity parents have shared on social media over the 2019 holidays suggest otherwise. Like so many of us, a lot of celebrities choose to spend their winter vacations hanging out at home — basking in family traditions like cookie-baking and decorating the tree. Of course, that’s not to say that all celebrity parents hunker down at home over the winter holidays. Some do actually hop a flight to somewhere exotic, posing in family Christmas PJs beneath the island sun (here’s looking at you, Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade!).
Either way, it’s honestly just fun to see how stars have been spending the few weeks with no backpacks, school pick-ups or the typical hustle and bustle we’ll all be dealing with once school starts back. Here are a few highlights from celebrity parents’ — and their kids’ — winter vacation.
Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos
Top of the world with #MC2 (they dragged me up here) ⛷❄️☃️🎿
A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Dec 30, 2019 at 1:21pm PST
“Top of the world with #MC2 (they dragged me up here),” writes Kelly Ripa (MC2 is Mark and Michael Consuelos, for the uninitiated.)
Kevin Hart
Thank you god. #Harts
A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) on Jan 3, 2020 at 6:54am PST
It’s ski season for the Hart family! “Thank you god,” Kevin Hart captioned this snap of himself with wife Eniko and their three kids on a snow-covered slope.
Tori Spelling
We go to Lake Arrowhead every year. It’s always been a family tradition. And, with 5 young kiddos it’s pretty amazing to be able to take a short 2 hour road trip and instantly be in the beautiful mountains and snow. It was amazing this year to see Beau really understand the family trip and enjoy making memories in the snow with his siblings and friends, and staying at one of our fave places @lakearrowheadresortandspa . He had the best time getting pulled around in his @llbean sleigh. Little Papa Claus! #californiawinter #familyroadtrip #traditions🎄
A post shared by Tori Spelling (@torispelling) on Jan 9, 2020 at 8:31am PST
“We go to Lake Arrowhead every year. It’s always been a family tradition,” Tori Spelling shared on Instagram along with a photo of 2-year-old Beau (her youngest of five kids with husband Dean McDermott) in a sled. “It was amazing this year to see Beau really understand the family trip and enjoy making memories in the snow with his siblings and friends, and staying at one of our fave places @lakearrowheadresortandspa.”
Fergie
Disneyland Day ✨✨ #axljack
A post shared by Fergie (@fergie) on Jan 2, 2020 at 10:46am PST
A post shared by Fergie (@fergie) on Jan 2, 2020 at 4:38pm PST
Fergie sure knows how to make a kid’s holiday dreams come true. She took son Axl Jack Duhamel to Disneyland for a magical winter vacation.
Jimmy Fallon
Started off the new year at the happiest place on earth. Thanks to everyone at @Disneyland. Top to bottom a fantastic experience. Every little detail. Walt would be proud. Your mouse is in good hands. Special shout out to Nancy the silhouette artist that has been at Disney for more than 35 years. #Disneyland #2020
A post shared by Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon) on Jan 3, 2020 at 9:09am PST
It looks like Jimmy Fallon followed in Fergie’s footsteps with a family trip to Disneyland! “Started off the new year at the happiest place on earth. Thanks to everyone at @Disneyland,” he wrote along with this sweet family pic of wife Nancy Juvonen and kids Francis Cole and Winnie Rose. “Walt would be proud.”
John Legend
#TeamDaddy forever
A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Dec 16, 2019 at 8:13pm PST
We left Wyoming
A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Dec 29, 2019 at 7:55am PST
John Legend may have narrowly missed out on becoming The Voice victor this season, but he and Chrissy Teigen’s kids, Miles and Luna, are clearly still in Daddy’s corner. They even visited him on The Voice set after the winter finale to show their support — and later, the family headed somewhere warm to celebrate the holiday season.
Gabrielle Union
Merry Christmas from the Hawaii crew 🎄🎁🌈 #WadeWorldTour2019
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Dec 24, 2019 at 9:30am PST
Wine & Kisses… my wish for us all 🤗❤🎄🎁🌈 #WadeWorldTour2019 #HawaiianStyle
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Dec 24, 2019 at 2:14pm PST
Sending ❤🤗 today! 🎄🌈🎁
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Dec 25, 2019 at 9:26am PST
In case you were wondering if @kaaviajames was different around the holidays… She is not new to this, she’s true to this. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Sending some holiday cheer #shadybaby
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Dec 25, 2019 at 9:29am PST
Last night’s luau at the @andazmaui was 🔥🔥🔥🔥 So grateful for this time together to catch up, bond, and create new traditions and memories with the family. #WadeWorldTour2019 #HawaiianStyle PS. @kaaviajames is not with the 💩
A post shared by Gabrielle Union-Wade (@gabunion) on Dec 28, 2019 at 1:46pm PST
Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade ventured to Maui for the holidays with their blended family. So, Mele Kalikimaka it is!
Hoda Kotb
Santa… we ready ❤️
A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) on Dec 24, 2019 at 6:29pm PST
Not pictured: Abby and Rudy’s amazing adventure #basket
A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb) on Dec 27, 2019 at 1:41pm PST
Hoda Kotb, fiancé Joel Schiffman and daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine seemed to enjoy a traditional holiday-season winter break filled with friends and family.
Mariah Carey
☃️
A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Dec 24, 2019 at 10:48am PST
Sliding into 2020 🛷☃️
A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Dec 29, 2019 at 8:40am PST
Do you want to build a snowman? Mariah Carey and twins Monroe and Moroccan traveled somewhere cold enough for actual snow this winter vacay — and it looks like they lived up their time in the winter wonderland.
Jessica Simpson
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours 🎄
A post shared by Jessica Simpson (@jessicasimpson) on Dec 25, 2019 at 7:07am PST
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds #ASPENEXTREME ❄️ @ashleesimpsonross @realevanross
A post shared by Jessica Simpson (@jessicasimpson) on Dec 30, 2019 at 5:32am PST
Jessica Simpson and her brood sure know how to go all out for the holidays. She, husband Eric Johnson, and their three kids Maxwell, Ace and Birdie dressed to the nines for a holiday photo in front of a seriously impressive Christmas tree. Next: she, Eric, and the kids headed to Aspen to hit the slopes.
Jennifer Lopez
Home sweet home 💜 Sitting here with my coconuts and feeling so grateful. THANK YOU to the @lafilmcritics Association! I am humbled and honored. #Ramona #hustlersmovie #LAFCA
A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on Dec 8, 2019 at 4:10pm PST
Lopez has a lot to grateful for this holiday season — not only was she home snuggled up with her little “coconuts,” twins Emme and Max, but the trio was also celebrating Lopez’s multiple award nominations for her role in Hustlers.
Mario Lopez
Holiday jams up in here… #GigiAndNico
A post shared by Mario Lopez (@mariolopez) on Dec 25, 2019 at 3:48pm PST
Mario Lopez, wife Courtney and kids Dominic and Gia got dressed up during their winter vacation to attend a bat mitzvah. It looks as though they may have gotten a sitter for their youngest, Santino Rafael (aka “Sonny”), who was born in July.
Hilary Duff
This was the best we got. Merry Christmas Eve! ♥️🎄
A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Dec 24, 2019 at 7:05pm PST
Newlyweds Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma attempted a family photo in front of the tree on Christmas Eve with their little ones, Luca and Banks. The end result may not be perfect, but it is pretty darn adorable.
Neil Patrick Harris
As you can see, we love us some @disneyfrozen. Thanks @hasbro for helping make our trip to Orlando even giftier..! #frozenfanfest #ad #frozen2
A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph) on Dec 19, 2019 at 12:55pm PST
Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka took kids Gideon and Harper to Orlando on break. And judging by the Disney attire and accessories on display in their photos, we can only assume a trip to Disney World was part of the vacation.
Mariska Hargitay
Thank you @harryconnickjr for sharing your ridiculous talent and your beautiful heart and your deep love for the incomparably great Cole Porter! #LoveTheLoveSongs #LoveYou #ColePorter #EveryoneGo!
A post shared by Mariska Hargitay (@therealmariskahargitay) on Dec 22, 2019 at 2:36pm PST
Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann enjoyed a one-of-a-kind night out with their oldest child, August: going to see Harry Connick Jr.’s “A Celebration of Cole Porter” review on Broadway.
Reese Witherspoon
Girls night out with my favorite daughter! (ok she’s my only daughter but still) ❤️
A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Dec 23, 2019 at 1:36pm PST
Reese Witherspoon has openly admitted she bawled when daughter Ava left for college, so you know this Southern mama was happy to have her back home for winter break. Witherspoon embraced the time, spending a “girls night out” with her college kid (who is reportedly attending UC Berkeley).
Kate Hudson
We take Christmas MERRY seriously…🎄#SeeHowIDidThat 🤓#DontMessWithOurXmasGame
A post shared by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Dec 17, 2019 at 10:00am PST
Kate Hudson and boyfriend Danny Fujikawa made good use of the winter break by putting together an adorably quirky holiday photoshoot with their daughter Rani Rose and Hudson’s sons Ryder (with Chris Robinson) and Bingham (with Matt Bellamy). We don’t even know them personally, and we kind of wish we got this Christmas card in the mail.
Ciara
Mommy Life. #GoHawks 💚💙
A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on Dec 15, 2019 at 4:46pm PST
Ciara spent winter break living that “mommy life” — which, for her, included taking kids Future and Sienna to see an NFL game. They were undoubtedly cheering on Ciara’s husband Russell Wilson, who plays for the Seattle Seahawks. And, hooray, the Hawks won!
Tia Mowry-Hardrict
#babyitscoldoutside #mommyandme #cairo #twinning 💕
A post shared by TiaMowry (@tiamowry) on Dec 23, 2019 at 7:44am PST
Merry #Christmas from our family to yours ❤️🎅🌲
A post shared by Ciara (@ciara) on Dec 25, 2019 at 11:32am PST
Tia Mowry-Hardrict and baby girl Cairo totally twinned out in matching tie-dye sweatshirts and Ugg boots while braving the cold.
Tamera Mowry-Housley
Excited to show you guys the Housley #Christmas card this year! #MerryChristmas 🎄@adamhousley @thehousleylife
A post shared by tameramowrytwo (@tameramowrytwo) on Dec 24, 2019 at 9:21am PST
Tia’s twin, Tamera Mowry-Housley, took the opportunity during winter break to send out holiday cards. Here, she and husband Adam Housley pose in front of their vineyard with kids Aden and Ariah.
Busy Philipps
Let the sun shine. Let the sunshine in. The SUN. SHINE. IN.
A post shared by Busy Philipps (@busyphilipps) on Dec 22, 2019 at 1:56pm PST
Winter may be cold in other parts of the world, but it’s still sunny in Southern California. So, Busy Philipps and daughter Cricket did what anyone in their shoes would do… soak it up!
Eva Longoria Bastón
Happy Christmas from the Baston’s! 🎄🎄🎄
A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) on Dec 25, 2019 at 2:31am PST
Eva Longoria Bastón and her husband José “Pepe” Bastón took son Santiago Enrique to visit Santa over the winter vacation. Their reward? Santiago made the “good list.”
Angela Bassett
Hey Everybody you good? Instagram Socks,underwear,toiletries, money and prayers! These are some beautiful folks. We are all a family when we get right down to it. #UnionRescueMission #givingisbetterthangetting
A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) on Dec 24, 2019 at 6:07pm PST
Can we talk for a minute about how much we adore Angela Bassett and her giving heart? She and husband Courtney B. Vance, along with twins Slater and Bronwyn, devoted time over winter break in service to others at the Union Rescue Mission.
Pink
I’ve been working on this blanket for two years. She’s gotten sick of waiting. #hurryupmamaimcold
A post shared by P!NK (@pink) on Dec 17, 2019 at 8:13am PST
Now that she finally has some downtime, Pink is using it to finish a blanket she’s apparently been crocheting for two years. Daughter Willow is using the time to test the almost-finished blanket out.
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West
Kanye and I threw Saint the coolest 🦖🦕 dinosaur 🦕 🦖 party for his 4th birthday!!! He had so much fun! Thank you @mindyweiss
A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Dec 17, 2019 at 5:36pm PST
Christmas isn’t the only holiday celebrated by the Kardashian-Wests over winter break! The family all came together to celebrate the 4th birthday of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s son Saint with an epic dinosaur-themed bash.
