Award
Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney Wish Kids to Drop Elf on the Shelf Tradition
2024-12-07
Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, a power couple in the entertainment world, have some interesting perspectives on a popular holiday activity. In an exclusive interview at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala in October, they opened up about their family traditions and the challenges of working together while married.
Elf on the Shelf: A Love-Hate Relationship
The couple revealed their hope that their children, Jane, 10, and Billy, 7, would soon outgrow the Elf on the Shelf tradition. McNearney, 46, expressed her frustration, saying, "We were hoping that they outgrew Elf on the Shelf. We’re hoping that they’re done with that. We pray." Kimmel, 57, chimed in with a chuckle, adding, "We’re lucky if we remember to move it." When asked about what they do when they forget to move the tiny toy, McNearney came up with a creative excuse, "Then he has Covid. We did that one time during Covid. We’re like, ‘Oh, I bet he had Covid and he couldn’t move!’ "The "Creative" Move
Their most "creative" Elf on the Shelf move was making it look like the elf was hungover and throwing up over the toilet. McNearney confessed, "We’re not great at it, but it was a fun attempt." This shows the lighthearted side of their family life during the holiday season.Unique Christmas Custom
In addition to the Elf on the Shelf drama, the couple has a unique Christmas custom. McNearney revealed, "We have a tradition where we make Jesus a birthday cake with the kids, and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus." This shows their faith and the importance they place on teaching their children about different aspects of the holiday.Working Together While Married
The pair has been working together for eight years before dating and have managed to keep their partnership going. McNearney said, "We worked together for eight years before dating, and so we really just kind of kept that the same. We know how to compartmentalize. It definitely can be difficult when I pitch ideas to get rejected by my husband, but it’s okay. I’ve got thick skin." Kimmel added, "I get rejected plenty, believe me."Blurred Lines between Work and Home
McNearney also shared that the line between work and home is often blurred in their partnership. She said, "[Work] never stops. No, no, never. He’ll wake up in the middle of the night [and say], ‘Oh, let’s write this down.’ Or in the car, he’ll say, ‘Get your phone and write this down,’ because he’s usually the one driving and the brain is always working."The couple attended the Children’s Hospital Gala to show their support for the hospital and the medical team that operated on their son, Billy, who was born with a congenital heart defect. In July, Kimmel posted an update on Billy’s health to Instagram, sharing that he had undergone his third open heart surgery. He wrote, "This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery. We went into this experience with a lot of optimism and nearly as much fear and came out with a new valve inside a happy, healthy kid." He concluded by thanking the Children’s Hospital medical staff and expressing his gratitude to his wife Molly for her strength.Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.