Donnie Wahlberg Reveals His Midnight Thanksgiving Ritual with Jenny McCarthy

Donnie Wahlberg Reveals His Midnight Thanksgiving Ritual with Jenny McCarthy

Donnie Wahlberg is looking forward to a festive Thanksgiving celebration this year. The 56-year-old star of the television series Boston Blue recently shared his culinary traditions in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Wahlberg emphasized how much he enjoys Thanksgiving leftovers, saying, “For me, the best part was just leftovers. Taking whatever was left of the turkey and trying to make a sandwich out of it a few hours after the original meal was digested.” His enthusiasm for this holiday delight is so strong that he and his wife, Jenny McCarthy, eagerly await the moment when they can craft their midnight sandwiches.

Jenny McCarthy has a passion for cooking, and on Thanksgiving morning, she starts preparing the feast. Wahlberg expressed, “We are literally like, I can’t wait to be making a leftover sandwich at midnight.” This midnight tradition adds a delightful twist to their Thanksgiving festivities, showcasing their shared love for good food.

Balancing Family and Festivities

Wahlberg acknowledges the challenges of coordinating family time during the holidays, particularly given their busy schedules. Living in Illinois, the couple focuses on spending quality time with their children. He noted, “We try to focus on our kids and being able to have the holidays with them,” stressing the importance of family during this special season.

What Other Celebrities Are Thankful For

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and many other celebrities have shared what they cherish this holiday season. Actress Candace Cameron Bure, known for her role in Fuller House, reflected on her family. When asked about her gratitude, she said, “I just, there’s nothing more important to me than my family and my children. As my family is expanding, I cherish the moments the older I get.” This year, she will celebrate with her children and extended family.

Bure’s daughter, Natasha, recently got married, and the actress is excited about her family’s growth. With her son Lev also tying the knot soon, Bure is truly in a joyous phase of life.

Country Star Martina McBride’s Thanksgiving Experience

Country music icon Martina McBride shared her own Thanksgiving traditions in a recent conversation. McBride described her favorite dish, saying, “My favorite has to be mashed potatoes and gravy. We don’t have mashed potatoes very often, so that’s kind of a special thing.”

Looking back, she recounted an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience, recalling a performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade followed by cooking Thanksgiving dinner in Nashville. McBride stated, “I don’t know how I pulled it off,” highlighting the challenges of balancing her career and family life during the holidays.

Moreover, she mentioned her gratitude, emphasizing family health and well-being: “Family comes at the top of the list, but besides that, I’m grateful for my health. As we get older, that becomes on the top of your mind.”

Shared Traditions and Special Moments

Actor Richard Karn, best known for his role in Home Improvement, discussed how Thanksgiving for his family revolves around cherished traditions. He explained, “We have turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans with slivered almonds, and a simple shrimp salad that my grandma used to make. My Thanksgivings are smaller now, with about five or six guests compared to my big family gatherings as a child.”

Karn expressed his appreciation for his upbringing, stating, “My mom and dad did a great job. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we got by.” He also noted his lasting gratitude for his successful television career and the relationships he built on set.

Thanksgiving in Transition for Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy, the former star of Bewitched, shared how her Thanksgiving celebrations are changing as her children grow older. She explained that after 30 years of hosting the meal herself, she is now allowing her kids to take on more responsibility during the holidays. Murphy stated, “Living in a world where we can recreate our lives and do what we want, I guess I’m thankful for freedom.”

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt’s Reflections

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt, a mother of three and author, highlighted her gratitude for her family and her new book, Kat and Brandy. She expressed her appreciation, saying, “I am thankful for my health, my family, and really thankful for this book because I think it is something I’m really proud of.”

Schwarzenegger emphasized the important messages her book conveys, expressing hope that both children and adults find value in its themes about the bond between humans and animals.

Mark Wahlberg’s Family Gatherings

Actor Mark Wahlberg is eager to have all his children gathered under one roof this holiday season. He shares four kids with his wife, Rhea Durham. He described how the holiday season allows them to enjoy quality family time amidst busy schedules.

Wahlberg remarked, “It’s still a small place so we all kind of, you know, we’re in each other’s company and around each other the whole time. From my wife and I, it’s the best time of the year, and the kids enjoy it as well because they get to hang out with their friends and do stuff, but they’re stuck with their parents.”

A Season of Thanks and Togetherness

As the holiday season approaches, celebrities across various fields reflect on gratitude, family, and the joy of shared experiences. Their stories remind us of the importance of love and connection during Thanksgiving, a time when many come together to celebrate their blessings.

This Thanksgiving season, the sentiments shared by these stars resonate with many, encouraging us to treasure our loved ones and indulge in fun traditions that create lasting memories.

Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink, Christina Dougan Ramirez, Brie Stimson, Lauren Overhultz, and Stephanie Giang contributed to this report.