Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos may be one of television’s most beloved couples, but even they have their differences—especially when it comes to family traditions. 

The LIVE with Kelly & Mark co-hosts, who frequently share insights into their personal lives on the morning show, 

recently admitted that they have completely different approaches to celebrating Christmas.

During a pre-recorded holiday episode that aired on December 25, the couple revealed their contrasting views on the festive season. 

While Kelly embraces all things Christmas, Mark confessed that he hasn’t actively shopped for gifts in decades.

Kelly Ripa’s Love for Christmas vs. Mark Consuelos’ Minimalist Approach

Kelly, who has always been enthusiastic about the holiday season, playfully called out her husband’s lack of participation in Christmas shopping.

“Since we’ve been together, I have watched you actively not shop for anything,” she remarked.

Mark, on the other hand, admitted that while he isn’t against Christmas, he prefers to take a more practical approach. Instead of focusing on shopping, he takes it upon himself to keep things organized—sometimes a little too quickly.

“As people are making a mess, I’m just slowly throwing it away,” he admitted.

Kelly found this habit amusing but also a little excessive, joking, “Christmas is not allowed to look like it happened there.”

Despite his reluctance to fully embrace the chaos of Christmas, Mark clarified that he doesn’t mind the holiday itself. However, the sight of excessive gift boxes and decorations makes him uneasy.

“The boxes and the gifts… it makes me nervous and it makes me eat,” he joked.

A Holiday Getaway with Their Children

While their views on Christmas traditions may differ, Kelly and Mark still made the most of the holiday season. This year, they decided to celebrate by taking a tropical vacation with their three children—Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21.

Though they kept the location private, Kelly shared stunning photos from the beach on New Year’s Eve, as well as a video capturing an impressive fireworks display at midnight. Their daughter, Lola, also posted clips of the fireworks on her own Instagram account, giving fans a glimpse into their family celebration.

Embracing Life as Empty Nesters

With their children now grown and living independent lives, Kelly and Mark have embraced their roles as empty nesters. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t cherish the moments they get to spend together as a family.

In a previous interview, Mark spoke about how meaningful it was to spend the holidays with his children and their partners.

“It was lovely… it was really nice people to spend time with,” he shared. “I was just really proud of the fact that our kids wanted to hang out with us.”

For Kelly and Mark, having their children still want to spend time with them—even as adults—is a testament to their strong family bond.

“That’s kind of the goal after you raise them,” Mark said. “They’re adults, so we’re kind of done. But I was just really thrilled and honored that my kids would want to spend time with me and my wife.”

Their Children’s Lives Away from Home

While the couple enjoys the time they get to spend as a family, their children are busy pursuing their own paths. Joaquin is currently studying at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, while Michael lives in Brooklyn, close to his parents. Meanwhile, Lola splits her time between New York and London as she focuses on her music career.

Despite their occasional differences—especially when it comes to holiday traditions—Kelly and Mark continue to navigate family life with humor, love, and mutual respect. Their ability to laugh about their contrasting personalities is just another reason why fans adore them both on and off-screen.

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