Children worldwide are eagerly anticipating Christmas and making their lists for Santa Claus. However, actor Ian Harding, known for his role in Pretty Little Liars, reveals that his 2-year-old son hasn’t quite grasped the concept of Santa just yet. The confusion stems from a familiar figure in the toddler’s life: Harding’s own father, who also sports a white beard.
“My son sees images of Santa and says, ‘That’s Papa,'” the 38-year-old Holidazed star explains. Harding attempts to clarify, saying, “No, that’s Santa,” but his son remains puzzled, asking, “Who’s Santa?” Harding believes the connection will click once his son turns three. He reminisces about his own childhood Christmases, cherishing the time spent with family when his parents were off work.
In contrast, Harding and his wife, photographer Sophie Hart, are freelance artists, allowing them to be home frequently. “The only thing missing is a tree,” Harding jokes, adding that his son currently views Christmas as simply a day for receiving gifts, lacking understanding of the tree tradition.
Having moved back to his hometown near Washington, D.C. in 2021, Harding now hosts the holidays. After working on a project in Toronto, he describes the pre-Christmas rush as “a mad dash” to decorate, humorously anticipating a soaring electric bill from the sudden influx of holiday lights.
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Harding enjoys traditional holiday activities like baking sugar cookies for neighbors and making Glögg, a Swedish spiced wine, honoring his heritage. Since becoming a father, he emphasizes creating new family traditions alongside the old ones.
Currently starring in Hallmark+’s Holidazed, the network’s first holiday series, Harding plays Josh Hill, a character who returns to his hometown before his parents relocate. Despite having a girlfriend, Josh rekindles a connection with a former high school sweetheart, Erin Cahill, who happens to be a police officer and gives him a ticket upon his arrival.
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“There’s definitely a history there,” Harding says of Josh and Nora’s relationship, acknowledging Josh’s internal conflict. He humorously compares his character’s traffic ticket incident to his own past driving mishaps, though without the romantic encounter with a police officer.
Harding encourages viewers to watch Holidazed to see how the storyline unfolds, promising a heartwarming and emotionally resonant experience. The series is currently streaming on Hallmark+.
