Diana Ross Insisted on Being Called 'Mrs. Claus' One Christmas, Tracee Ellis Ross Recalls (Exclusive)

The actress told PEOPLE that her mom kept up the festive role for "a long time"

Tracee Ellis Ross says her music superstar mom insisted on being called "Mrs. Claus" while dressed up one year as Santa's significant other.

On Tuesday, PEOPLE spoke with the actress, 51, at the Candy Cane Lane premiere where she shared one of her top Christmas memories with Diana Ross.

"Well, my favorite story is the year I went home and my mom was dressed as Mrs. Claus and I was, 'Hi Mom,' and she said, 'Mrs. Claus.'"

As for how long the "Upside Down" singer, 79, kept up the festive role, Ellis shares it was "a long time." She adds, "My mom was committed."

Going on to discuss whether or not her family exchanges any over-the-top gifts, Ellis said that they're "not very material."

"Honestly, my family is not blown by gifts," she continues at L.A.'s Regency Village Theatre. "I like to make my family laugh. I do a lot of really silly stuff at home, but I do a lot of the cooking and I don't know, my family's not, we're not very material."

Related: Tracee Ellis Ross Reveals What Mom Diana Ross Wants Most for Christmas This Year (Exclusive)

In a separate interview ahead of Tuesday's premiere, PEOPLE spoke more with Ross about the family's traditions, which typically revolve around "the grandkids."

“All my mom wants is to be around the kids, the grandkids,” Ross shared. “That’s the thing.”

Ross has eight nieces and nephews from her four siblings, sisters Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Chudney Ross and brothers Evan Ross and Ross Naess.

“So I mean, it might as well be FAO Schwarz for Christmas morning," she shares, admitting it's a different caliber for the little ones. "It's insane.”

But the family's matriarch is truly happy with anything from the heart. “Oh my mom loves anything,” Ross continued. “I swear to God, you could look at my mom and be like, ‘I made you this hug from the deepest part of my soul,’ and she would be like, ‘It’s beautiful.’”

Related: Tracee Ellis Ross and Sisters Wear 'Straight Outta Diana Ross' T-Shirts for Mom's Birthday

Discussing her family-friendly holiday film back on Tuesday's carpet, the Black-ish alum, who stars in the new Amazon Prime comedy with Eddie Murphy, shares her goal of "continuing to tell stories that bring joy and light and connect us as human beings."

The film tells the story of a competitive suburban dad, Chris Carver (played by Murphy), who is determined to win his neighborhood’s holiday decorating competition and his wife Carol, played by Ross, helps him get out of some of the mischief he makes.

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Expressing appreciation for her career — and expanding business ventures — the Pattern Beauty CEO notes to PEOPLE she's at a "really wonderful time" in her life.

Ross also credits the hit comedy that helped propel her career, adding, "Black-ish really set me up in a beautiful way."

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