For Wendi McLendon-Covey, the holiday season isn’t a brief celebration — it’s a months-long lifestyle. The actress, best known for The Goldbergs and currently starring in NBC’s St. Denis Medical, told People she fully commits to decorating once fall arrives. “I go hard,” McLendon-Covey said, explaining that her festive preparations begin as early as September and don’t wrap until January 1.
Once Halloween ends, she wastes no time transitioning into Christmas. Pumpkins come down, lights are swapped, witch hats disappear, and sugar-plum decorations take their place. “That’s my season,” she said, calling the holidays the best time of the year.
Why Winter Is Her Favorite Time of Year
McLendon-Covey said the darker winter evenings only reinforce her love for festive décor. “When it gets dark early, you want to look at something pretty,” she explained, noting that elaborate decorations bring warmth and comfort to the colder months. Her enthusiasm is nothing new. Fans of the actress know that Halloween at her home — affectionately dubbed “Covey Manor” — is just as elaborate as Christmas, often featuring themed displays and detailed setups that reflect her love of seasonal fun.
Seeing Fans Dress as Her Characters
While McLendon-Covey enjoys dressing up herself, she gets particular joy from seeing fans dress as her iconic characters. She regularly spots costumes inspired by Clemy and Deputy Johnson from Reno 911! as well as Beverly Goldberg from The Goldbergs. She also laughs at another recurring costume choice: the “crazy cat lady.”
“I see a lot of those,” she said, adding that fans often send her photos with messages saying she inspired their look. “That’s really fun.”
Embracing the ‘Crazy Cat Lady’ Label
McLendon-Covey doesn’t shy away from the label. In fact, she proudly embraces it. The actress opened up about her passion for rescuing cats, a commitment she shares with her husband, Greg Covey. When cats show up in need, she believes turning away isn’t an option.
“My first pet was a kitty,” she recalled. “She was so grateful to be rescued. It’s a small thing, but it’s important to show that someone is looking out for the little creatures.”
Finding Joy in Small Acts of Care
For McLendon-Covey, caring for animals offers a sense of purpose amid a chaotic world. She described the comfort of nurturing rescued cats, even when everything else feels overwhelming.
“Everything else is going to hell in a handbasket,” she said, “but we found this little life, and we’re going to give it a good home.”
She added that cats bring constant entertainment and comfort, each with their own personalities and routines. A perfect Friday night, she joked, involves tossing treats to the cats and watching their interactions unfold.
Balancing Work and What Matters
As she continues appearing in season two of St. Denis Medical, McLendon-Covey says decorating, animals, and simple joys help keep her grounded. For the actress, going all-out for the holidays isn’t excess — it’s tradition, comfort, and a celebration of the things that matter most.
