Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Changing Christmas Traditions as Her Kids Grow Older.
Sheinelle Jones is growing accustomed to being Santa to three large elves. The Today host, who is the mother of twins Clara and Uche, 14, and Kayin, 17, with her late husband Uche Ojeh, acknowledged that her children's conception of a joyous Christmas has evolved as they have grown older.
"I have three teenagers now, so the holidays look a lot different," at the Ebony Power 100 Gala on November 9, Jones exclusively revealed to news reporters. "In the early days, they would be waiting downstairs at 5, 6 a.m. Now, everybody kind of sleeps in. It's weird!"
However, Jones, who was receiving recognition for her contributions as a Black journalist at the magazine's annual ceremony, also made light of the fact that Saint Nick was experiencing his own growing pains alongside her trio.
Register for the next Tekedia Mini-MBA.
Register for Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
"It used to be they would write a list to Santa and just hope," the 48-year-old laughed as he remembered. "Now, they're creating spreadsheets and slideshows. I'm like, 'What is happening?'"
Jones joked as she described how her kids' increasingly sophisticated tastes have led to the creation of wish lists with links. "You're supposed to do some cookies and a notebook, a sheet of paper and a pencil—not a spreadsheet."
However, some customs have endured despite the family's significant changes, such as Ojeh's death in 2025 from an aggressive brain cancer.
"My husband's father is a minister, and so we usually are with my husband's side of the family every year," she revealed. "We eat a lot. We have a lot of church services and fellowships."
Even so, the author finds time for herself while enjoying the hectic season with her loved ones.
"When the kids are with their cousins, I can go for a run and have some quiet time," she observed. "So, I love the holidays."
Jones views working with her fellow Today co-anchors Jenna Bush Hager, Al Roker, and Carson Daly as a "magical and amazing" aspect of her life all year long, except from the holidays.
As she put it, "They're my family, and I think that people see that."
Uploaded files: