Hoda Kotb Shares Which Christmas Present Is a 'Big No' for Daughters Hope, 5, and Haley, 7: 'Not Happening'

Mar. 15, 2025

Hoda Kotb (center) and her daughters.Photo:Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Hoda Kotb/Instagram

Hoda Kotb’sdaughters have made their Christmas lists this year, but the mom of two is checking it twice — and scratching this particular gift off.TheTodayco-host, 60, appeared onLate Night with Seth Meyerson Wednesday, Dec. 18, and shared that her daughtersHope, 5, and Haley, 7, whom she shares with ex-fiancéJoel Schiffman, really want a specific present for Christmas this year.“They want makeup, but what is that about?” Kotb asked on the show. “That is not happening. What are we talking about? All these little kids, like young kids, 7, 8, 9, are into skincare and stuff. But we don’t have that in my house. That’s a big no.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Thankfully, her girls aren’t only asking for makeup this year.“They asked Santa for magic sets. They like magic sets,” she said. “They like American Girl dolls. What else are they into? They’re into anything with bubbles.“This is the first year Kotb and her girls will spend Christmas in the suburbs after the family of three moved out of New York City earlier this year.Shortly after the big move, Kotbrevealed the news that she’d purchased a minivanfor her family. “Guys, I’m getting a minivan! A Toyota Sienna!” she cheered on the Nov. 14 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna. “I’m so excited. I have wanted a Toyota Sienna for a long time.“Kotb then hilariously imitated the motion of the automatic sliding doors on her new car, saying, “You push the buttons, click! And the doors go whoosh.““And, let me explain, me and a minivan is like a dream,” she continued. “I’ve wanted it and I haven’t had it. Also, I am sometimes carpool mom. I can only take three kids because there’s no other room. Not anymore! I cannot wait for it.“After announcing the news, Kotb admitted a few days later thatshe’d already hidden from her daughtersin her new car. On a Wednesday, Nov. 20 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna, co-hostJenna Bush Hagerasked, “Have you [gone] in there to hide from your children yet?“Admitting that she had, Kotb explained that the day before, she “cased out my own house. I sat outside and I didn’t go in…But I was in the car. So I was casing and waiting.”

Hoda Kotb’sdaughters have made their Christmas lists this year, but the mom of two is checking it twice — and scratching this particular gift off.

TheTodayco-host, 60, appeared onLate Night with Seth Meyerson Wednesday, Dec. 18, and shared that her daughtersHope, 5, and Haley, 7, whom she shares with ex-fiancéJoel Schiffman, really want a specific present for Christmas this year.

“They want makeup, but what is that about?” Kotb asked on the show. “That is not happening. What are we talking about? All these little kids, like young kids, 7, 8, 9, are into skincare and stuff. But we don’t have that in my house. That’s a big no.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Thankfully, her girls aren’t only asking for makeup this year.

“They asked Santa for magic sets. They like magic sets,” she said. “They like American Girl dolls. What else are they into? They’re into anything with bubbles.”

This is the first year Kotb and her girls will spend Christmas in the suburbs after the family of three moved out of New York City earlier this year.

Shortly after the big move, Kotbrevealed the news that she’d purchased a minivanfor her family. "

Guys, I’m getting a minivan! A Toyota Sienna!” she cheered on the Nov. 14 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna. “I’m so excited. I have wanted a Toyota Sienna for a long time.”

Kotb then hilariously imitated the motion of the automatic sliding doors on her new car, saying, “You push the buttons, click! And the doors go whoosh.”

“And, let me explain, me and a minivan is like a dream,” she continued. “I’ve wanted it and I haven’t had it. Also, I am sometimes carpool mom. I can only take three kids because there’s no other room. Not anymore! I cannot wait for it.”

After announcing the news, Kotb admitted a few days later thatshe’d already hidden from her daughtersin her new car. On a Wednesday, Nov. 20 episode ofToday with Hoda & Jenna, co-hostJenna Bush Hagerasked, “Have you [gone] in there to hide from your children yet?”

Admitting that she had, Kotb explained that the day before, she “cased out my own house. I sat outside and I didn’t go in…But I was in the car. So I was casing and waiting.”

source: people.com