The holiday season took center stage on the Today Show, as co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb engaged viewers with their heartwarming Secret Santa exchange. The episode, which aired on December 25, saw Guthrie present Kotb with thoughtful gifts, prompting strong emotional reactions from both hosts and their audience.
During this special segment, Guthrie revealed her gift for Kotb, leading to moments filled with nostalgia and affection. "This is for me? I got wishing candles?" exclaimed Kotb as she delved through the festive bag, unearthing the presents. Each item brought back memories and highlighted the deep bond they've cultivated over their years working together on the show.
One standout gift was framed with great care: it featured lyrics from the poignant song, "May You Find a Light" by Josh Garrels, which read, "May you find a light to guide you home." This phrase holds significant meaning for Kotb, particularly as she navigated various personal challenges throughout her career, including her battle with breast cancer and her experiences of motherhood.
Emotion overtook Kotb as she leaned toward the camera, whispering, “Oh, God,” upon seeing the framed quote. She expressed, "This beautiful song was something Savannah gave to me every time I was going through something new," gently underlining the many ups and downs she has shared with her co-anchor. Guthrie, reflecting on the gift, noted, “I thought you could put it on your desk when you’re reading your stuff,” acknowledging the small yet significant reminders of their friendship.
For both women, these gifts served as reminders of the solidarity they’ve shown each other throughout the years. Kotb, who announced earlier this year her departure from the show set for January 10, identifies Guthrie as her "ride-or-die," highlighting the powerful female friendship cultivated through professional challenges and personal trials.
The Today Show’s holiday festivities didn’t end there. Earlier this month, Jenna Bush Hager, another prominent face of the show, shared heartwarming memories from the White House holiday press party she attended with her daughter, Mila, on December 14. Hager, alongside her daughter and fellow co-hosts, experienced the event from new vantage points linked by family celebrations.
Capturing moments on Instagram, Hager delighted viewers with video clips featuring Mila spinning joyfully with Guthrie's daughter, Vale. Commemorated by sparkly dresses and decorated with delightful bows, the girls danced exuberantly to music from Tchaikovsky’s classic, “The Nutcracker,” which infused the grand atmosphere with youthful energy.
“What a magical night--seeing old friends! Seeing this special place through my Mila’s eyes! Wow! Thanks so much for having us @potus,” Hager wrote, reflecting on the nostalgia of returning to the White House, this time from the perspective of her daughter. Her recollections brought warmth and humor as she fondly remembered her own time spent there under the presidency of her father, George W. Bush.
The ambiance was rich with Christmas decorations, and Hager showcased various happy moments with her daughter and co-hosts, capturing their experience against the backdrop of historic portraits, including those of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush.
Photos from the event showed Hager and the TODAY family’s children relishing the holiday spirit, posing beside lifelike paintings of former first ladies and enjoying the grandeur of the festively decorated venue.
Savannah shared her own reflections on Instagram, writing, "A beautiful night for our kids, they won’t soon forget. Thank you @whitehouse." Her sentiments echoed the joyful familial connections surrounding these holiday celebrations filled with shared love and festive cheer.
Overall, these heartwarming events painted a picture of not just holiday celebrations but also deep-seated connections, friendships, and the collective memories made during this festive season on the Today Show and beyond. While Savannah and Hoda exchanged thoughtful gifts signifying their long-lasting bond, Jenna and her family embraced the magic of the White House holiday spirit, ensuring their children would carry these moments with them forever. This time of year reminds everyone of the happiness found within shared traditions and the importance of cherishing one another.