Jessica Capshaw Talks Holidays with Mom Kate and Stepdad Steven Spielberg: 'Big Family Within a Big Family'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jessica Capshaw.Photo:Marleen Moise/WireImage

Marleen Moise/WireImage

The holidays are a family affair forJessica Capshaw!The actress — whose mother,Kate Capshaw, marriedSteven Spielbergin 1991 — spoke exclusively with PEOPLE while attending the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City on Friday, Dec. 13. During the conversation, Jessica, 48, shared that Christmas happens “all sorts of ways” in her “very large family.”“So, oftentimes, we get pulled into that [big family celebration], and happily so,” the mom of four says, adding, “So we’ve got a big family, but we’ve got a big family within a big family.”When asked if her stepdad Spielberg, 77, ever makes an appearance as Santa Claus this time of year, theGrey’s Anatomyactress revealed that “Christmas jammies” are more his style.“I’ve seen some Santa jammies. I have photo documentation. There’s definitely Santa jammies. Santa’s suit? I have not seen,” she says, before joking that theJurassic Parkdirector might “be inspired” to wear one after reading this interview.Steven Spielberg with stepdaughter Jessica Capshaw in March 2024.Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImageNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Capshaw — whoshares kidsLuke, 17, Eve, 14, Poppy, 12, and Josephine, 8, with her husband Christopher Gavigan — also noted that even though the holiday season is underway, it doesn’t necessarily mean “time off” when you’re a parent.“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, thePracticestar also says she “couldn’t be more excited” for the upcoming time with her family.“I’ve been working a lot lately,” she shares, adding, “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.”Jessica Capshaw attends the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in N.Y.C. on Dec. 13, 2024.Taylor Hill/FilmMagicDiscussing raising teens, Capshaw shared that her daughters are finally old enough to watch her inGrey’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 tells PEOPLE.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!The actress also admits that she “kind of panicked” when her daughters started watching because she realized “it’s an adult show.”“The thing is, they roll with it,” she said, adding, “But I’m always, like, ‘My door is open for questions.’ "

The holidays are a family affair forJessica Capshaw!

The actress — whose mother,Kate Capshaw, marriedSteven Spielbergin 1991 — spoke exclusively with PEOPLE while attending the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City on Friday, Dec. 13. During the conversation, Jessica, 48, shared that Christmas happens “all sorts of ways” in her “very large family.”

“So, oftentimes, we get pulled into that [big family celebration], and happily so,” the mom of four says, adding, “So we’ve got a big family, but we’ve got a big family within a big family.”

When asked if her stepdad Spielberg, 77, ever makes an appearance as Santa Claus this time of year, theGrey’s Anatomyactress revealed that “Christmas jammies” are more his style.

“I’ve seen some Santa jammies. I have photo documentation. There’s definitely Santa jammies. Santa’s suit? I have not seen,” she says, before joking that theJurassic Parkdirector might “be inspired” to wear one after reading this interview.

Steven Spielberg with stepdaughter Jessica Capshaw in March 2024.Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage

Stefanie Keenan/VF24/WireImage

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Capshaw — whoshares kidsLuke, 17, Eve, 14, Poppy, 12, and Josephine, 8, with her husband Christopher Gavigan — also noted that even though the holiday season is underway, it doesn’t necessarily mean “time off” when you’re a parent.

“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, thePracticestar also says she “couldn’t be more excited” for the upcoming time with her family.

“I’ve been working a lot lately,” she shares, adding, “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.”

Jessica Capshaw attends the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in N.Y.C. on Dec. 13, 2024.Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

Discussing raising teens, Capshaw shared that her daughters are finally old enough to watch her inGrey’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 tells PEOPLE.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The actress also admits that she “kind of panicked” when her daughters started watching because she realized “it’s an adult show.”

“The thing is, they roll with it,” she said, adding, “But I’m always, like, ‘My door is open for questions.’ "

source: people.com