Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Kate and Oliver Hudson: Inside the Star-Studded Family’s Enduring Christmas Magic
Oliver Hudson reveals the cherished traditions, from Goldie’s festive home to Kurt’s legendary Santa story, that unite Hollywood’s beloved dynasty each holiday season.
As the festive season approaches, the renowned Hudson-Hawn-Russell family gears up for their annual Christmas celebrations, a vibrant tapestry of traditions meticulously woven over decades. Actor Oliver Hudson, 49, recently offered an exclusive glimpse into these heartwarming rituals, revealing how each prominent family member plays a distinctive role in conjuring holiday cheer.
“Everyone definitely has their part,” Hudson tells PEOPLE, emphasizing the collective effort that makes their Christmas truly special. His mother, the iconic Goldie Hawn, is the undeniable matriarch of holiday aesthetics. “Mom of course gets the house incredible, garlands everywhere and smells amazing,” Oliver details, painting a picture of a home transformed into a festive wonderland. Beyond the décor, Hawn orchestrates classic holiday activities, including baking cookies and the much-anticipated Christmas Eve tree decorating, a task often undertaken by Oliver and his brother, Wyatt Russell, who meticulously string the lights.
Sister Kate Hudson has earned the affectionate moniker “Miss Holiday Spirit” for her consistent and spirited efforts to unite the sprawling family. Oliver explains, “She always has onesies or PJs that are made with those names on them or hats or this so she’s the cohesive one.” These personalized gifts, unique yet uniform, forge a powerful sense of togetherness, ensuring that every member, from the youngest children like Oliver’s own Wilder Brooks, Bodhi Hawn, and Rio Laura, to the adults, feels part of one cohesive unit.
However, the most magical and enduring tradition of all stems from the heart of the family’s patriarch, Kurt Russell, whom Oliver affectionately refers to as “Pa.” Russell is credited with introducing the family to a set of profound Christmas customs, originating from his own family’s history, which he seamlessly integrated into the Hudson-Hawn fold. Oliver recounts the pivotal first Christmas with Kurt in a small Colorado cabin, long before the family acquired their famed ranch. Waking on Christmas morning, Russell led the young children to a breathtaking tableau that would forever shape their holidays.
“We woke up in the morning and he goes, ‘Look, you guys,’” Oliver vividly recalls. Outside, a scene of pure enchantment unfolded: sled tracks carved into the snow on the roof, a tiny reindeer bell—Blitzen’s, they were told—fallen from a collar, and even a present seemingly stuck mid-descent in the chimney. This meticulously crafted spectacle, “just so magical,” ignited an annual tradition of childlike wonder that has been faithfully “passed down from generation to generation.”
Today, the “Santa shows up” event remains the undisputed highlight. “Every year, it’s big,” Oliver shares. As Christmas Eve draws to a close, the night turns “red” with excitement. Bells ring, and everyone rushes to the windows, peering into the snow-kissed night. A fleeting silhouette of Santa dashes by, prompting cries of joyful disbelief from the children—”Oh my God, Santa’s here. We’re not asleep. He’s going to leave!” they exclaim, before being whisked upstairs to bed, brimming with anticipation. This cherished ritual, experienced by Oliver “a hundred years ago,” continues to enchant his own children, including Ryder Robinson, Bingham Bellamy, and Wyatt’s children, ensuring the spirit of Christmas lives on in their extraordinary family.
