Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney Hope Their Kids Outgrow This Relatable Holiday Tradition (Exclusive)
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12/07/2024 10:00 AM
The couple also told PEOPLE about making "Jesus a birthday cake" and singing to Jesus for Christmas
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Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney attend the Children's Hospital Gala in Los Angeles on Oct. 5, 2024Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney are not fans of one popular holiday activity.
While speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala in October, the couple — who work together on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and share kids Jane, 10, and Billy, 7 — revealed the specific Christmas tradition they hope their children outgrow soon.
"We were hoping that they outgrew Elf on the Shelf. We're hoping that they're done with that. We pray," McNearney, 46, said, referring to the toy elf that parents are supposed to move each night while the kids are sleeping to make it appear like the elf comes alive overnight.
"We're lucky if we remember to move it," Kimmel, 57, said, with McNearney adding, "We resent that elf."
When asked what they do when they fail to move the tiny toy, McNearney said, "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!' "
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Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney attend the 2024 Emmy AwardsRelated: The Best Elf on the Shelf Displays by Celebrity Parents
As for their most "creative" Elf on the Shelf move?
"We made it look like it was hungover, throwing up over the toilet. We're not great at it," McNearney confessed.
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While the couple shared that they mostly have "regular" traditions in their household around the holidays, they have one unique Christmas custom.
"We have a tradition where we make Jesus a birthday cake with the kids, and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus," McNearney revealed.
Related: Who Is Jimmy Kimmel's Wife? All About Molly McNearney
The pair — who wed in 2013 after three years of dating — also explained how they manage working together while married.
"We worked together for eight years before dating, and so we really just kind of kept that the same," McNearney said. "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."
"I get rejected plenty, believe me," Kimmel chimed in.
McNearney, who is executive producer and co-head writer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also revealed that the line between work and home is often blurred in their partnership.
"[Work] never stops. No, no, never," she said. "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."
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The couple attended the Children's Hospital Gala to show their support for the hospital and medical team that operated on their son, Billy, who was born with a congenital heart defect.
In July, the comedian posted an update on Billy's health to Instagram, sharing that he had undergone his third open heart surgery.
"This weekend, our boy Billy had his third (of three, we hope) open heart surgery," he wrote at the time. "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," Kimmel continued before thanking the Children's Hospital medical staff.
"Thank you to my wife Molly for being stronger than is reasonable for any Mom to be and Billy, you are the toughest (and funniest) 7 year-old we know," he concluded.
