Formidable winter storms can’t chill these celebs’ spirits.
Al Roker, who has been in and out of the hospital over the past month, celebrated the holidays at home with his family. He showed off photos of his family’s mouthwatering meals throughout the weekend, which included ham, turkey, asparagus, brown rice, salad and a breakfast frittata.
Early Tuesday, he reflected on spending another Christmas with his loved ones.
“So grateful to have experienced another Christmas and to be with my family,” he wrote on Instagram. “We make assumptions and plans and they can (be) upended in an instant. You think you are grateful and show gratitude. And then, you realize, suddenly, that the depth of those words so much deeper. I can never thank all of you who prayed for us enough.”
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Meanwhile, Emma Thompson, who stars in Netflix’s “Matilda the Musical,” recently told USA TODAY what she loves most about Christmas.
“I like it all,” Thompson says. “I like decorating the tree. I like singing carols. I like going to do carol services. I’m going to do a reading at Westminster Abbey (in London). There isn’t much about Christmas that I don’t like.”
Her actor husband Greg Wise, on the other hand, would prefer to avoid yuletide cheer altogether: “He’d rather go away somewhere else,” Thompson jokes. “A cave, basically. Undecorated.”
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Here’s how other stars are ringing in the holidays this year:
Celine Dion wishes ‘love, happiness, the best of health’ this Christmas
The iconic singer wished everyone “love, happiness, the best of health” this Christmas following her own health announcement earlier this month: that she was diagnosed with a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome. The Instagram post couldn’t have been sweeter.
Andrea Bocelli, kids sing ‘Joy to the World’
Andrea Bocelli and his kids sang in New York with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City this Christmas. Joy to the world, indeed.
Ciara’s ‘favorite time of the year’
Ciara and Russell Wilson brought holiday cheer to Children’s Hospital Colorado this year. Cue the “awwww.”
Reese Witherspoon: ‘From our family to yours’
Is any family more beautiful than Reese Witherspoon‘s? We’re not sure. The actress shared two Instagram photos of her three children, one of just the kids and the other with her and her husband Jim Toth, too.
Sam Smith: ‘Merry Christmas sailors’
While much of the U.S. is still freezing, Sam Smith made us jealous with a beach swimsuit photo. “Merry Christmas Sailors ⚓️ sending you healing and love today ✨” they wrote.
Elton John calls 2022 his ‘best year ever’ in Christmas video
Elton John is extremely in the Christmas spirit – just check out his glasses! – and is also extremely thankful for his fans.
“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my wonderful fans,” he wrote. “Thanks for making 2022 my best year ever ????❤️????????????⭐️”
Barack Obama posts cute family photo for Christmas
“Merry Christmas, everybody!” the former president wrote on Instagram, along with a photo of wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia. “One of the best parts of the holiday season is getting to spend time with the special people in our lives. I hope you all have a wonderful and joyful Christmas.”
Merry ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ from Nick, Vanessa Lachey
It’s not Halloween, but that didn’t stop Nick and Vanessa Lachey from channeling “Sparky & Ellen Griswold wishing you the ‘Hap Hap Happiest Christmas.'”
Victoria Beckham: ‘I got what I wanted this Christmas’
Victoria Beckham got her Christmas wish this year – considering her sweatshirt says “All I want for Christmas is David Beckham,” and she’s sitting in his lap. Him being her husband, David Beckham. Cute!
Prince and Princess of Wales post Prince George painting
A royal artist in the family? The Prince and Princess of Wales shared Prince George’s adorable painting of a reindeer with birds and falling snow.
Jonathan Van Ness: ‘Family photo attempt’ for Christmas
Jonathan Van Ness and husband Mark Peacock wrangled their very furry family for a Christmas photo this year. Well, most of them.
Chloe Bailey dons jaw-dropping red outfits this Christmas
Chloe Bailey had our jaws dropping this Christmas with a series of rocking red outfits. Give us the names and numbers of your trainers and stylists, please!
Florence Pugh: ‘Merry Christmas Eve you scoundrels’
“Merry Christmas Eve you scoundrels,” wrote the “Don’t Worry Darling” actress. “Shameless red dress post.” Thank you, as always, Miss Flo.
Taron Egerton shares wet, shirtless Christmas video
The “Rocketman” star wished us all a very merry Christmas with a quick wet, shirtless video and an emoji implying he went for a chilly holiday dip in the water. We didn’t mind in the slightest though hope he warms up soon if he’s cold.
Lizzo makes the season bright with festive, flirty photos
The “About Damn Time” singer celebrated Christmas Eve by sharing a candy cane-inspired photo shoot with her Instagram followers. In the sexy snaps, Lizzo rocks a red-and-white-colored wig and garland-adorned bustier against a red curtain backdrop. The Grammy winner, who paired the holiday ensemble with silver platform heels and red-striped nails, also posted a coquettish clip of her dancing to Eartha Kitt’s 1953 classic “Santa Baby,” which she captioned, “The spirit of Christmas just came over me.”
Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian give back at women’s shelter
After ringing in the holidays at Paris Hilton’s Christmas party last weekend, Kim Kardashian stopped by Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children, in Los Angeles this week. On Friday, the beauty mogul posted pictures of her visit to the shelter, where she was joined by sister Khloe Kardashian, daughter North West, and nieces True Thompson and Dream Kardashian.
“We were also able to provide many essentials they would need this holiday season along with a beauty day and family portraits with their families and headshots for job interviews,” Kardashian captioned the Instagram post. “We also met with women in Start Up Sisterhood, a program that helps give these women the tools and mentorship they need to start their own small businesses.”
Hilary Duff, husband ‘held hostage’ by kids in hilarious Christmas card
Duff is sending out an SOS. On Wednesday, the “Come Clean” singer shared a playful snap of her family Christmas card, where she and her husband, musician Matthew Koma, are tied up in Christmas lights and strapped to chairs with tape over their mouths. Duff’s 10-year-old son, Luca, holds the lights, while their young daughters – Banks, 4, and Mae, 1 – smile mischievously in the foreground. “Happy holidays,” the card reads. “All is not calm.”
Christina Haack, Ant Anstead spend holiday quality time with son Hudson
Christina Haack and Ant Anstead may not be together anymore, but they’re in agreement on one thing: The holidays are about family.
The television personalities, who share 3-year-old son Hudson, took to their respective Instagram pages Dec. 21 to share adorable holiday photos with their little guy. Haack shared a playful photo of Hudson taking a photo of his mom with husband Josh Hall as they posed in front of a large Christmas tree at a festive outdoor locale.
Meanwhile, Anstead posted a candid shot of Hudson putting the finishing touches on their Christmas tree. “Tis the season,” Anstead wrote.
“Having grown in the freezing UK I still find it wild that a California Christmas tree compliments a warm beach sunset!” the England native continued. “Temple so cosy and festive, and Hudzo always the willing helper.”
Contributing: Elise Brisco
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Al Roker, Celine Dion, Obamas: How stars celebrated Christmas
