Mindy Kaling Says B.J. Novak Plays an Integral Role in Her Family’s Christmas — But Maybe Not for Long
Anyone who is obsessed with Mindy Kaling and B.J. Novak’s longstanding friendship (guilty!), will love to hear that he plays a major role in Kaling’s kids’ lives. The multihyphenate is a single mom to daughters Katherine “Kit,” 7, Spencer, 4, and baby Anne, and she told Good Morning America that Novak “dresses up as Santa” for them every year.
“We create this whole thing where we’re making hot chocolate in the house, the doorbell rings and it’s him dressed as Santa,” Kaling said of her former The Office cowriter and costar who apparently draws “a lot of inspiration from Michael Scott in a Santa suit.”
More from SheKnows
“And he’s like, ‘Oh, the sleigh broke down, I need to come in and take a rest while we refuel!'” she continued, per People. “Then the kids get to meet Santa and he asks them if they’ve been good or bad.”
And now we have to pause and give props to Kaling and Novak for devising such a fun tradition! This isn’t any ol’ Santa sitting in a big comfy chair. This is a Santa who needs sleigh repairs. A Santa who, one year, Kit found sleeping on the couch. Kaling said her daughters are “so excited” after “Santa” leaves but admitted that Novak might be out of work sooner than anyone might like.
“It’s going to be interesting this year because I feel like [Kit] might not buy it,” Kaling confessed. “The 4-year-old, we’re not sure.”
“They know him very well, especially. And he’s a good actor, but … ” she joked.
And so now the besties will have to see — will this be the end of a tradition that dates back to 2020 when Kaling couldn’t take her girls to see Santa Claus during the COVID-19 pandemic?
“This is going to be the year where we hope the oldest one will be chill for the younger two,” the Never Have I Ever co-creator said.
And we’re certainly hoping for that too. Kit, please play it cool so this endearing tradition continues … even if it might be problematic.
“Just so you know, it’s like we’re Hindu and B.J. is Jewish, so this is really … like cultural appropriation on our part,” Kaling joked when the tradition started way back when.
If it is cultural appropriation, we’d say it’s the most endearing form we’ve ever seen. Every kid should get to experience the starstruck wonder the Kaling girls must experience when their godfather appears in his Santa suit. And it’s something we hope can last for many years to come.
Find out how our favorite celebs spend Christmas, Hanukkah, and more wintertime holidays with their families.
Best of SheKnows
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
