What you need to know
Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry Housley are sharing the unique holiday traditions they’ve formed with their children.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE about their partnership with HomeGoods for their annual Deck the Everything Day, the Sister, Sister stars, both 47, revealed one particular tradition their kids always “look forward to” during the holiday season.
Tamara, who has daughter Aria, 10, and son Aden, 13, with husband Adam Housley, said they love “spending time together”, especially when playing games. Tia, who shares daughter Cairo, 7, and son Cree, 14, with ex-husband Cory Hardrict, echoed her sister’s sentiments, adding that the kids love playing cornhole together.
“We introduced it to our kids, and they love it so much. So when we’re together, we always love playing some kind of game outside,” Tia tells PEOPLE. “It’s become a tradition.”
Tamera Mowry-Housley/Instagram
Elsewhere in the interview, the doting mothers reflected on why the holiday season is so important to them. The twin sisters describe themselves as “early decorators” who love the festive decorations the season brings, but what they’re really excited about this season is the opportunity they get to spend quality time together as a family.
“Now that we’re moms and businesswomen, we have our own itineraries,” Tamera explains to PEOPLE. About Tia, she added: “And she’s always busy here. That’s why I love when the holidays are coming up, because I know I’m going to see her.”
Tia continued, “That’s what I love about the holidays. It’s a time when everyone can be quiet and focus on what’s really important, which is family and making memories.”
As for specific vacation plans for this year, Tia and Tamera are still planning.
They are a big family – they also have two younger brothers, Taj and Taviol – and describe planning a holiday together as a “puzzle”. Distance adds to the challenge, as Tamera is also based in Napa Valley and Tia is based in Los Angeles.
“But we try to meet at least once a year,” Tia says.
Axel/Bauer Griffin/Film Magic
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Tamera explains that holiday gatherings can usually be made to work if you dedicate either Thanksgiving or Christmas to spending time with the whole family, but doing both can be difficult.
“With our busy schedules and different lives, it’s hard to do both Thanksgiving and Christmas. So if we don’t do Christmas, we do Thanksgiving. If we don’t do Thanksgiving, we do Christmas,” she said, noting that Christmas is a big holiday in her home.
“For my family, we always host a Christmas dinner,” Tamara adds. “So whoever is available comes. We have regulars. My mom is always a regular, my brother Taj is always a regular. But it’s always nice when my dad and Tia come.”
He also said there is a simple solution to making sure everyone can participate, even if someone hasn’t been able to attend for years.
“We FaceTime all the time,” Tamera says.
