Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are shaking up their holiday season once again. The Live With Kelly and Mark co-hosts revealed that they made a major change to their traditional family Christmas card—one that their three children weren’t exactly thrilled about.
In a new Instagram video posted Sunday, December 7, the couple announced they removed their kids from this year’s card after years of debating photo approvals and schedule conflicts. Ripa joked that the decision came after growing tired of waiting for their children’s approval on every shot.
“They Feel Slighted”
Ripa explained the reasoning behind the switch with her trademark humor.
“They complained that they’re not in the Christmas card this year,” she shared. “They feel very slighted and said, ‘How could you?’ And I said, ‘I’m tired of waiting around for you to approve a picture.’”
The pair, who share Michael (28), Lola (24) and Joaquin (22), said they instead chose a photo of themselves posing with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
A Cheer-Filled Replacement Photo
Ripa described the final result proudly:
“Mark is in the middle and we’re all in our special outfits. Mark just has a look on his face that is like he’s so excited and happy. He’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him in a Christmas card.”
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders recently appeared on Live’s Halloween episode in October, when Ripa and Consuelos wore matching cheer-themed tracksuits.
Consuelos added that this is not the first time they’ve excluded their children from the card. In a previous year, the couple used a photo from the Riverdale set featuring Consuelos with his TV family Camila Mendes and Marisol Nichols.
“That was another good Christmas card,” Ripa added.
No Gifts This Year
Their updates come just days after making another surprising holiday decision on Live. Ripa admitted she felt behind on gift shopping, and Consuelos responded by letting her off the hook.
“No gifts. One less worry,” he said on the December 4 episode.
Ripa joked that the decision frees her twice: “That’s actually two less gifts… real freedom.”
On the following day’s show, Ripa reflected on why she always gets sick once the holidays arrive, saying her body finally “shuts down” after a busy year.
A New Season of Simplicity
Whether fans view the couple’s move as relatable or rebellious, Ripa and Consuelos appear committed to reducing holiday stress and embracing humor instead of perfection.
As Ripa put it, this year’s Christmas card is “a great one.”
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