Party Tips

Kaley Cuoco’s holiday hosting rules, from the playlist to the open bar


The Big Bang Theory actress hosts both families every Christmas and her must-haves are surprisingly simple.


Kaley Cuoco poses in the IMDb Portrait Studio at the 2025 Gotham Awards on December 01, 2025 © Bryan Derballa
DECEMBER 25, 2025 8:40 AM EST

Actress Kaley Cuoco has shared her top tips to ensure the holidays go without a hitch, and top of her list is having a great Christmas playlist. The 40-year-old mom, who played Penny on the geek culture celebrating sitcom for 12 years, celebrated Christmas with her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their two-year-old daughter Matilda, as well as the couple's extended family. 

Kaley takes pride in being the hostess with the mostess over the holidays, ensuring she never runs out of food or beverages and always has seasonal songs playing in the background. Speaking to Good Housekeeping, she said: "We always host Christmas Eve for our entire family, and we do it every year. For me, though, there are a couple of key things that help me be the perfect host."

Kaley Cuoco and daughter Matilda share a Secret Santa moment at "Oh Norman!"© IG:

"I always have a ridiculous amount of food and drinks on hand, and you never want to run out of them. It's always an open bar, and let people drink what they want to drink!" 

"I think a key to a good party is always good music. Make sure all the holly, jolly music is playing, and that's so important to me. It's definitely a good thing to look forward to through the night."

Kaley also organises a fun game that all her family and guests can enjoy, and it involves swapping presents so everyone can open them. She added, "On Christmas Eve, we have people do a White Elephant, and we all swap presents. We've been doing it for a handful of years, and it's like 30 people doing it - it's hilarious! We all get around the table, and it's something really cute for people young and old to look forward to."

Kaley will also be using the holiday season to teach Matilda the importance of giving back to those who are less fortunate. The Flight Attendant star said: "Matilda may be only two-and-a-half years old, but she's very smart.

Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents "Task" event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on December 12, 2025 in Los Angeles© Amanda Edwards
Tom Pelphrey and Kaley Cuoco attend the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations Presents "Task" event at The Meryl Streep Center for Performing Artists on December 12, 2025 in Los Angeles

"I think it's important for her to visually see that handing something to someone, or a shelter or organization, is so important to start her at a young age. I want to show her that helping people who are less fortunate than her it sets a good example. And I hope it encourages her to step up and do the same as she gets older."

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