Mariah Carey’s Guide to the Holidays: Inside the Singer’s Family Christmas Traditions and More

For Mariah Carey, the holiday season starts when she takes off her Halloween costume. This year, she’s marking the 30th anniversary of Merry Christmas — the best-selling holiday album of all time — with a rerelease and 21-city concert tour. Plus, the icon, 55, has partnered with Virgin Hotels to launch festive pop-up bars that serve cocktails made with her signature Irish cream liqueur, Black Irish. Here’s how else Mariah will no doubt be celebrating, away from the spotlight, alongside twins Moroccan and Monroe, 13.

Mariah Carey Is Passing on Heartfelt Traditions

The ultimate diva, Mariah doesn’t usually spend much time in the kitchen, but she makes an exception for the holidays. “I cook Italian food on the 23rd because my father had a recipe for linguine with white clam sauce,” she has said. “It’s really special to me because…he used to make [it] when I was little.… As he was passing away and we were going through that, he wrote down the recipe for me.”

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Mariah Carey’s Cozy Movie and Game Nights

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Christmastime is family time. An activity the singer and co. do “every year”? Play Taboo, according to the Grammy winner: “I’m pretty competitive.” They also watch movies — holiday-themed, of course. “I love It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Four Christmases and Love Actually — my song is in that,” she has said, adding, “[And] everybody loves Home Alone!”

Mariah Carey Embraces the Winter Weather

Mariah and the children — who are longtime skiers — head to Aspen, Colorado, each December, and are often joined by the twins’ dad, Nick Cannon, 44. “We have hot cocoa,” she’s said. “Then we’ll go through the woods on a two-horse open sleigh with blankets and real reindeer. It’s freezing cold, but it’s beautiful and you’re looking at the stars. It’s an incredible moment I love every year.”

Mariah Carey Listens Exclusively to Christmas Music During the Holidays

Don’t even think about changing the tunes at Chez Mariah during the holidays. “I don’t let anyone listen to anything but Christmas music when I’m celebrating Christmas,” she has shared. And while her song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” may be the bestselling holiday single of all time, it’s not the entertainer’s personal fave. “My favorite all-time Christmas song is Nat King Cole’s version of ‘The Christmas Song,’ ” she’s said.

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Mariah Carey’s Over-the-Top Decorations

“We have a lot of Christmas trees,” Mariah has noted. “Not a field… per se.” But it’s pretty close! The songstress has been known to put up trees in her bedroom and kitchen, plus a 17-foot one in the living room “with decorations I’ve had for years,” she’s said. “Gold lights with off-white light, angels wearing white and butterflies.” Mimi likes to hang Polaroid pictures and fan-made ornaments on a smaller, colorful “Charlie Brown tree” elsewhere in her home, too.