Jessica Capshaw, known for her role in Grey’s Anatomy, recently shared insights into her family’s Christmas traditions, including those with her stepfather, legendary director Steven Spielberg. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City, Capshaw described the holiday celebrations in her “very large family.”
Capshaw explained that Christmas is celebrated in various ways within her extended family, often involving large gatherings. “So, oftentimes, we get pulled into that [big family celebration], and happily so,” she stated, emphasizing the close-knit nature of both her immediate and extended family. “So we’ve got a big family, but we’ve got a big family within a big family.”
When asked about Spielberg’s role in the festivities, Capshaw revealed that while a full Santa Claus suit hasn’t been sighted, festive “Santa jammies” are a common occurrence. “I’ve seen some Santa jammies. I have photo documentation. There’s definitely Santa jammies. Santa’s suit? I have not seen,” she quipped, adding playfully that the Jurassic Park director might be inspired to don the full suit after hearing about the interview.
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Capshaw, who has four children with her husband Christopher Gavigan, also touched upon the realities of parenting during the holidays. She acknowledged that while the season is meant for relaxation, having children often transforms vacations into “family trips,” requiring a different approach to downtime. “It was funny. We realized when we went on our first holiday vacation [with kids] — we were like, ‘Oh, vacations really aren’t vacations. They’re family trips.’ They’re trips with your family. Vacation and holiday became something totally different.” However, she expressed excitement for the upcoming holiday season, especially after a busy work period. “I’ve been working a lot lately,” she shared. “So in my mind, I’ve pinned tonight — which is Friday night — to be here with some of my girls and have a really great time and then enjoy the weekend. Then Monday is the Monday before Christmas.”
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Capshaw also shared a unique experience related to her daughters finally being old enough to watch Grey’s Anatomy. “I remember thinking my children will never watch it because they were so tiny, and now they have friends who are watching it, and they’re watching it, and it’s become this multigenerational thing where it’s wild,” she commented. She admitted feeling some initial anxiety about her children watching the adult-themed show but noted that they have handled the content maturely. “The thing is, they roll with it,” she said. “But I’m always, like, ‘My door is open for questions.’ ” This holiday season promises to be a special one for Capshaw and her family, filled with both large gatherings and intimate moments.
