Virgin River star Alexandra Breckenridge is bringing a treasured piece of her childhood into her own family’s holiday celebrations — and her kids are loving it.
In a new interview with PEOPLE promoting her Netflix Christmas film My Secret Santa, the actress shares that she’s continued a tradition started by her mother: opening one gift on Christmas Eve. “I always convinced my mom to let me open all the presents,” she jokes. “Now my kids try the same thing — ‘But two, maybe just two?’” She and her husband, musician Casey Hooper, choose which gifts get the early reveal.
This year, Jack (7) and Billie (9) have an even bigger surprise coming: a Disney trip, with the rest of their gifts arriving from Santa and their grandparents.
Breckenridge says the holidays feel extra magical this year thanks to My Secret Santa, in which she plays a single mom who disguises herself as a bearded, elderly Santa to secure a seasonal job. Her kids were adorably baffled at first. “They didn’t understand why I wasn’t Mrs. Claus,” she laughs. “But now they think it’s funny — and they’re proud of me.”
For the actress, Christmas movies are a way to create joy both on-screen and at home. “I love making Christmas magic for my children,” she says. “It brings me the most joy.”
And she’s more than ready for round two: “If I’m bringing holiday magic to my home or your living room, I’m here for it. Let’s do Secret Santa 2.”
My Secret Santa is streaming now on Netflix.
