Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are still thinking about their holiday plans, but they aren’t ruling out a stripped-down approach when it comes to their three adult children.
At the start of Live with Kelly and Mark on Thursday, Nov. 20, the couple discussed the possibility of not giving gifts to their three adult children: Michael, 28, Laura, 24, and Joaquin, 22.
The conversation began while Ripa, 55, teased an upcoming segment on Black Friday shopping sales, noting that sales seem to start earlier and earlier each year. “You can’t start too early,” she said. “I’m not kidding, there was a Black Friday sale in August!”
But Ms. Consuelos, 54, was quick to point out that Ms. Ripa typically finishes preparing for her vacation as the summer draws to a close. “Usually most of my shopping is done by then,” he says.
This year is different though. “Well, I’m way behind,” admitted a nervous Ripa. “As you know, I’m quite late.”
Adela Loconte/Variety (via Getty)
So Consuelos proposed an unconventional idea: “Maybe we should give each other gifts this year.” he said, and Ripa seemed to appreciate the idea. “Yes, it’s a gift from us,” she said.
Consuelos didn’t stop there. He also suggested simpler solutions for gifts for children. “The kids are old now,” he said. “They get nothing.”
Initially surprised, Ripa asked her husband of 29 years, “Aren’t we getting anything?”
“They get the money!” Consuelos revealed. “Give them a check or something and say, ‘Merry Christmas!'”
Kelly Ripa/Instagram
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At least the idea wasn’t immediately dismissed by Ripa. “Yeah…maybe!” she said, pondering the concept (though she only sounded half-convinced).
After a while, Consuelos became upset. “I don’t know. That sounds bad,” he says. “That’s really bad.”
It remains to be seen whether Ripa and Consuelos will stick with their plans or return to their holiday gift tradition, but it wouldn’t be unheard of for the two to celebrate Christmas as a pair this year. Earlier on the show, the couple admitted they did the same thing on Thanksgiving.
After admitting she was “not ready” for the holidays, Ripa said: “I’m lucky. I’m out of avoidance.” “We’re hosting this year, but we’re not doing anything. Is there any point?”
Live with Kelly and Mark airs weekdays on ABC (check local programming).
