♪ ♪ joy to the world for the lord is come let earth receive her king ♪ ♪ let every heart prepare him room ♪ ♪ the savior is born heaven let heaven and angels sing joy joy to the world ♪ ♪ all over the world

joy to the world sing joy to the world ♪ ♪ sing joy joy to the world sing joy to the world ♪ ♪ sing joy to the world sing joy to the world sing joy to the world ♪ ♪ joy to the world sing joy to the world joy to the world sing joy to the world joy joy joy ♪ ♪ joy to the world >> good morning. a great way to start your christmas morning. that was the mount olive baptist church from hackensack, new jersey singing "joy to the world." thanks to them for joining us on this special morning. we're not going to let them get away. they'll be with us a bit more on our holiday broadcast. in studio 1-a i'mettea holt with jenna and amy in the house. >> suddenly appeared. >> good to have you here. >> thank you very much. >> could be home with the kids opening presents.

>> i could do that every day. >> yes. i was thinking people tuning in right now if you have little kids you've probably been up for three hours already. >> easily. >> 5:00 a.m. is about as olate y oldest will sleep. >> that was a tradition in our house. >> did your parents make you wait? my parents made us wait until 7:00 a.m. >> we made as much noise as we could, knocking things down. be careful. you don't want to wake up mom and dad. >> i did that too. i celebrate hannukah. that was bizarre in our house. >> you get more presents. >> hannukah usually ends around year 8. after you're 8 years old there is not a huge hannukah tradition of exchanging presents and what not so i thought i would just, you know -- >> so i have to take back the present i got for you? >> no. but take back the other seven. i'll deal with one. >> we're so glad you folks at home are starting your christmas with us. coming up it's all about the gifts. have you opened one this morning and not sure if it's the right gift for you? coming up we have the do's and don'ts of regifting, the best way to return, and the famous

day after christmas sales. >> and we'll switch gears a little bit flying high with peter pan. kathy rigby has been playing the boy who won't grow up for 20 years now. she is almost 60 years old and is far from slowing down. this week i had an incredible opportunity, a chance to meet rigby and she dusted off her shadow and returned to the peter pan stage. it was amazing to see how much work goes into playing this role even though she has been playing the role for over 30 years now. she is still such a professional. this performer -- >> phenomenal. >> a world champion gymnast and there is so much gymnastics and the singing. >> i love it when you shot that a couple weeks ago you tweeted some kind of -- some things that weren't going to be -- >> i tweeted the updates which for me are always the best. >> all right. plus the holiday windows are always a big treat here in new york city from macy's to bloomingdale's to saks, often such an experience for tourists and for new yorkers alike. coming up we'll take you inside

some of the city's best and find out what it takes to create such holiday masterpieces year after year. >> we have a lot to get to this christmas morning. first we want a check of the morning's top stories with veronica de la cruz at the news desk. good morning, everyone. christians around the world are celebrating the holiday. here in new york thousands of people attended midnight mass at st. patrick's cathedral. we have more in our london bureau. duncan, good morning to you. >> good morning, veronica. happy christmas. this is a time for celebration and thinking about family members who can't be at home. here in britain the royals are without prince philip after he spent the night in the hospital recovering from a minor heart operation. what family is mising a loved one on christmas day? the royal family. thousands came to wish them well as they attended church without

prince philip. after lunch family members will visit him in hospital. in rome, the pope made his traditional message to the world and prayed for peace. last night he urged worshipers to look beyond the glitter of the season to the true meaning of christmas. around the world people are celebrating in their own ways, from the sunshine of sydney, australia, to santa in the sand in india. >> praise the lord. >> and in afghanistan midnight mass for u.s. troops. >> it's sad being away from my familiar late christmas but it's nice being here with all my brothers and sisters in the armed services. >> i just want to wish everybody back home in seattle and in florida a very merry christmas and a very happy new year. >> reporter: far from home but in everyone's thoughts. so big crowds turning out for the royal family's traditional visit to church not least to catch sight of princess kate on her first christmas and of

course the crowds wishing prince philip well. charles told one of the members there that his dad was doing well and was very determined. veronica? >> thank you so much. merry christmas to you. a developing story out of nigeria this morning. an explosion ripped through a catholic church during christmas mass near the capital killing at least 25 people. explosions went off later near another church where it is feared a radical muslim sect is to blame. now to russia where tens of thousands protested in the streets of moscow yesterday demanding that prime minister vladimir putin step down. they are receiving support from former president mikhail gorbachev who resigned as president of the soviet union 20 years ago today. finally, you can't see enough of these pictures. iraq veterans coming home for the holiday pulling off one more secret mission by surprising their families. now let's get a check of the national forecast. showers and thunderstorms across

the south today with snow in the texas panhandle. scattered snow showers in new england andd and the g well, very good christmas morning to you. we have another chilly start with a freeze warning for the inland valleys. 20s and 30s to start the day. we should see 40s and 50s and a few extra high clouds spilling into the afternoon. highs of 50s and 60s. seven-day forecast, late tuesday into wednesday, shows showers moving into the bay area. that is the news. merry christmas everyone. let's send it back to everyone. >> thanks very much. now to politics. the business of running the country doesn't stop on christmas day not to mention the business of running to run the country. of course there's plenty to talk about this holiday season. john harwood is cnbc's chief washington correspondent. john, good morning. merry christmas. good to see you.

>> merry christmas, lester. >> we're just a little over a week away until the first contest of the election season, the iowa caucus. there's been such a buildup. is it important to finish number one or is finishing in the top three keeping you in a good position? >> it depends on who you are. if you're mitt romney, you don't really need to win the iowa caucuses because you think your stronghold is the new hampshire primary, which comes up a week later. if you're newt gingrich and you're trying to prevent any erosion in the lead you've developed late in the campaign you want to win. and certainly if you're michele bachmann or rick perry trying to really break into the top tier in the race you've got to have a very, very strong showing in iowa. ron paul is a unique case. he is somebody who has got a constituency within the republican party, fairly well defined, who has been quite well organized in iowa. he could do well but even if he does nobody thinks he's really going to take off and compete for the nomination because there's just a ceiling on the

libertarian vote in the republican party. >> let me take you back to romney. you say he doesn't need it. he's run that way all along not putting huge importance on iowa. but given the fact that gingrich has made this surge giving him a run for his money in places like florida and south carolina, would you expect in this final week for romney to start paying a little more attention in iowa? >> absolutely. if he can unexpectedly finish at the top in iowa, he has the potential for really blunting and undercutting gingrich's momentum if he could combine an iowa victory with a new hampshire victory that would put him in extremely strong position. on the other handly, if he finishes behind gingrich, gingrich is able to win the caucuses, that poses a threat to the lead that mitt romney has held in new hampshire, which has been pretty substantial for most of 2011 but diminishing in the last few weeks. >> it was only a few weeks ago that cain started to fade and gingrich made his surge. how long can he sustain that? has his organization caught up

to this front-runner or front tier status? >> can't catch up. there are too many things that go into building a political organization to just whip it up overnight. but this is a very different, unique republican nomination fight, and the fact that we've seen other candidates rise and fall is an indication of how volatile and fluid this race is. whether newt gingrich can sustain that, preserve enough energy and enthusiasm within the republican ranks that he can overcome the inability or the failure to build an organization throughout the year we'll have to see. i'm a little skeptical but this race is surprising at every turn. >> conventional wisdom says that rick perry and michele bachmann, two strong social conservatives should be doing better in iowa. has the electorate shifted? are social issues fallen to a back seat behind economic issues with the electorate? >> there is no question about that. social issue voters remain terribly important within the republican party.

it's just that even those voters are focused on the weak economy. when you've got unemployment and slow growth of the kind that we've got right now, social issues simply aren't going to have the resonance. they still matter. so you've seen rick perry trying to make a comeback in the race by going to conservative christians and empathizing with them and identifying with their concerns. but pretty much everyone in the country is focused on the weak economy and that changes the dynamic of this primary process. >> have to ask you about the president. he is watching all of this play out among the republicans. up to this point the white house has been really looking at romney and attacking romney. how closely are they watching gingrich right now? when will they go after him? >> i don't think they care too much about newt gingrich, lester, because the white house believes that newt gingrich would be an easy target in a general election. they are very focused on mitt romney because they fear him as the most competitive republican candidate in the general election. i wouldn't expect the white house to avert its gaze from

mitt romney until it's clear that he is not going to be the republican nominee. we've got a long way to go before we reach that point. >> all right. cnbc's john harwood, thanks for talking to us. go back to celebrating now. >> you bet. >> all right. and now here's jenna. >> all right. lester, thank you. now to a british royal christmas. it's been nearly eight months since william and kate tied the knot in a spectacular wedding watched by millions. how are the future king and queen spending their first christmas as husband and wife? here is nbc's michelle kosinski. ♪ >> reporter: few things are more steeped in tradition than an english christmas. this re-enactment shows queen victoria visiting neighbors. back when santa wore green. here is victoria with her german husband who made the christmas tree, card, and turkey dinner wildly popular. these days modern royals often

spend their holidays here, considered small and cozy for a palace. the queen can enjoy her ever growing family, cherish those moments that holidays are made of. and decorate the tree. as seen in this rare footage from the documentary "portrait of prince philip." >> actually it's at christmas where the royals can really switch off. just be themselves like any other family on christmas day. >> well, kind of. starting christmas eve with princess katherine experiencing it all for the first time. first cocktails then opening gifts but it would be a faux pas to take this seriously. >> they're very tongue in cheek about what they give each other. they go to great lengths to try and find the cheapest and sometimes tackiest stuff they can. >> reporter: however, dinner is black tie, which would be kate's second of around nine costume changes for the holiday. ♪ happy holidays >> the morning the royal family opens to an english breakfast followed by a very fashionable trip to church.

some walk. the queen takes a car. after lunch and tea the royal family also gathers around the tv. not football but the queen's prerecorded christmas message. >> i wish you all wherever you may be a very happy christmas. >> reporter: but it's the day after christmas when things get exciting. rain, snow, or shine the boxing day pheasant shoot. meticulous down to what they wear, how they hold their guns, and, of course, their shots. not so easy. why the guns and everything? why not pingpong? >> well, shooting is a royal tradition that goes back to edwardian times. it is a royal tradition and they just love doing it. >> reporter: katherine has been taking shooting lessons. sister pippa may also join, said to be the better shot. reportedly prince william's christmas gift to kate this year might be a puppy hunting dog. >> if kate can cope with christmas with the royal family

she can more or less cope with any event. >> reporter: the public eager for details of this long holiday at home with the queen. no pressure. for "today" michelle kosinski, nbc news, london. >> well forget the pressure. i would need a nap after that. they look like 48 hours of nonstop. >> they started out with drinking. that might not be a very good combo. >> they lost me at having to wear the tux. >> oh, yes. >> do you dress up? >> everyone in our family, you know, sits back on the couch, watches the movie, maybe opens a button or something. >> i'm going to turn into jeans as soon as we're done here. >> pajama jeans? >> yes. >> all right. besides the rockefeller center christmas tree nothing captures the christmas spirit here in new york quite like the classic department store window displays from snowflakes to shopping bags, even a full on story line, this year's displays are both entertaining and awe inspiring.

every year the holidays come to life on the streets of new york. from city sidewalks to skyscrapers decked out in red and green, it's christmas time in the city. >> city sidewalks. >> bergdorf goodman took a walk on the wild side with their animal theme this year keeping the holiday spirit very much alive ♪ in the air there is a spirit of christmas ♪ >> every one is a different material, different experience. you're in the holiday business or in the product business -- three or four people making this zebra alone. hundreds of thousands of individual pieces of paper are the fur. >> reporter: attention to detail. >> attention to millions of little details. >> reporter: and the next one is probably my favorite. >> a small group of artisans worked on nothing but this for nine or ten months. it's all fantasy, under water creatures and mostly fish. look at all the millions of little mosaic tiles, beads, crystals. >> reporter: next we stop by

bloomingdale's where the windows go back in time and pay homage to the big brown shopping bag. >> we have a history of creating shopping bags for the holidays and so we went through our archives and picked six bags from our history ♪ it's beginning to look a lot like christmas ♪ >> reporter: this is your 2001 bag? >> this was our 2001 bag, a great little penguin that opens up and all the little penguins were hatched and they're moving around. we created these ornaments for a christmas of helping the child institute. ♪ here comes santa claus >> even al roker has one right there. >> i actually have in my hand the al roker ornament. what do you think? how do you think it compares? >> i think it's charming. it captures his personality. >> reporter: it kind of looks like al. if there was ever a happy face that resembled al roker i think that's it. good job, al. not to be outdone, barneys

literally went gaga for the holidays teaming up with the singer to create windows only lady gaga herself could dream up. and at lord & taylor the kids are ready to greet santa after a day of ice skating, making snow angels, and decorating the tree. moving on to harold's square where the windows are always a miracle on 34th street, this year they're also making wishes come true. ♪ >> the proceeds of the ornament goes to make a wish foundation. we created this abstract world where wishes are granted and then turned into ornaments. it's an ornament factory. >> each window is different. this one is your favorite right? >> we have pictures of the children and their wishes being granted. it's really touching. >> reporter: a touching display months in the making. >> a good thing i love christmas because i live it all year long.

>> reporter: it is incredible when you see all the work. >> come january 1, they're already thinking about next year's windows. >> people line up for those. >> line up and brave very cold temperatures. >> they look great at night but right about now after you open the presents you could probably get in. >> i agree. no one will be around. >> it is one of those hidden secrets. not really a secret but for tourists that come in i think they are surprised to know there is so much to do outside the stores before they even go in. >> the price is right once you go in. start buying. >> coming up next the act of kindness during the holiday season right after this. at progressive, you can bundle your home and auto policies and save. don't worry, tiny people. flo is a gentle giant. bundle home and auto at progressive.com.

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despite all our challenges these days from all over the country stories are emerging about random acts of kindness that remind us of what this time of year is all about. nbc's kevin tibbles has more. >> reporter: this christmas good king wenceles would be proud. when this unemployed plumber lost his wallet he lost the money for his rent and daughter's gift. cue the good samaritan of san jose. >> i broke down in tears and gave her a big hug and she comforted me and said it's okay. >> kathy silva a single mother and also seeking work found the $1300, returned it, and refused any compensation. >> i didn't feel like i needed a reward for returning something that belonged to someone else. >> reporter: jim jordan lost his home to foreclosure in costa mesa, california and his 40-year tradition of putting up a snoopy-like display was in jeopardy. so the town stepped in to host the festivities outside city

hall. in the carolinas 200 packages containing pearls were tucked away here and there with the message finders keepers from hdg pearls. a christmas treasure. >> it's good for the people. >> in hard times there is always need. this salvation army center in chicago wants to give toys to 1200 kids. but so far there are only 200 to give. a secret mrs. santa in michigan asked who was buying toys on the lay away plan and then paid the bill anonymously. >> i thank her. it's the best gift i ever received and the gift of believing in people. you know, and believing that there's good out there. >> how about you? >> reporter: in columbia, south carolina santa asked the three miles children what they wanted. a precious christmas surprise from the middle east was delivered safe and sound. >> daddy!

daddy! >> reporter: often the best gifts don't cost a penny. >> daddy! >> kevin tibbles, nbc news, chicago. still to come one of my favorite subjects. regifting 101. the do's and don'ts you need to know before you pass off that -- if you regift that nice thing you received. >> regift isn't much better. plus, the boy who won't grow up and the actress who has played peter pan for 20 years. we'll catch up with kathy rigby. and a special christmas morning performance on the rock center rink from former olyianolic ne bobeck. first these messages. [ female announcer ] help i need a holiday party idea. mmm... pillsbury crescent wrapped brie just unroll, wrap the brie and bake. it's so easy.

now this might even impress aunt martha. pillsbury crescent wrapped brie. holiday ideas made easy. in 15 minutes, [ female announcer ] you call that bread? you can serve some warmth with your bread. and some flavor with your bread. and some layers with your bread. if you're serving bread honey, then serve it. grands! dinner ideas made easy.

good morning and merry christmas. you're looking live at the golden date bridge on this sunday morning. i'm scott budman. let's check your forecast with rob mayeda. >> cool sunshine with a spare the air alert or the smoke particles in our air. as we head through the day, better air quality and a better chance of showers.

but no showers for christmas day. high clouds spilling in at times, temperatures may not be quite as warm as the high clouds will filter the sun at times. we'll be watching very closely tuesday into wednesday. good chance of some rain for the north bay at least. showers elsewhere and then drying out as we approach next weekend. >> thank you very much. rob, let's get to the news. morgan hills families suffering a nightmare before christmas. they came home last thursday to find their presents gone, including scrapbooks with personal photographs. what's upsetting the most is thieves stole their pet dog. the family had the message for whoever is responsible. >> it's my daughter's dog.

i won't say nothing. i won't say a word. just bring the dog back. that's my daughter's, you know, and he's part of the family. >> the santa clara sheriff's department dusted for fingerprints and said that they are still looking for suspects. they live in a rural area with one way in and one way out. the post office is spreading christmas cheer. ten volunteer carriers will deliver last-minute express mail packages for south bay residents. one carrier will even dress up for santa claus. this will only be an express mail delivery service. cal train encouraging riders to be green. 40 trains are operating between san francisco and san jose. there wills be one roundtrip scheduled to gilroy. the rides start after 11:00 p.m. with the last train departing the following day just after 2:00 in the morning. coming up at 7:00 in the way,

christmas eve services around the world. plus, live to salvation army where they are preparing christmas meals. right now we'll send you back to the "today" show. have a good christmas morning. [ female announcer ] holiday plus cookies plus memories pillsbury holiday star cookies start with pillsbury cookie dough easy. then add my own favorite frosting and sprinkles. just three ingredients to sweet memories. holiday ideas made easy. mmm... pillsbury crescent wrapped brie

just unroll, wrap the brie and bake. it's so easy. now this might even impress aunt martha. pillsbury crescent wrapped brie. holiday ideas made easy. ♪ silent ♪ n silent night ♪ holy night ♪ all is calm ♪ all is bright ♪ round yon virgin mother and child ♪ ♪ holy infant so tender and mild ♪

♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪ sleep in heavenly peace ♪ sleep in heavenly sleep in heavenly peace ♪

that is a singing of the rendition of "silent night. owe "beautiful song. if it doesn't get any the spirit of the holidays, i'm not sure what will. we're back here december 25th, 2011. that means it's christmas. merry christmas. >> do you want me to check the calendar? >> i was doing simple math. i'm jenna wolf along with lester wolf and amy roback. >> don't put in for overtime. >> kids, you can't open one present until i get home, just so you know. >> you guys wait until this lais late in the morning to open gifts. >> i have grown kids now, so sometimes, like, 3:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon before -- >> can't wait for those days. >> what time will your kids start opening? >> usually around 4:30 in the morning. i'm not even joking. mom! mom! >> fun times. i miss that. >> i think there's nothing like watching a kid, you know, just tear open a package and just

find the magic and saying santa knew exactly what to get me. it is sweet. >> you tear off the packages and andrew knew exactly what to get me. >> he follows the directs that i made and the map. >> which is perfect. >> we have a lot to get to in this half hour, including a look at regifting, in case you didn't like what you got. what to do if you don't like a couple of the gifts under your tree this morning. >> it's one of the most stressful parts of the holidays when you have to react to a gift you do not like. what do you do? we're going to tell you how to return graciously. the do's and don't's of regifting. >> towel? >> towel. >> tomorrow is one of the biggest sale days of the year. she's a former u.s. figure skating champion and world bronze medalist. now nicole is skating for us on the rock center rink. we're happy to have her join us on this christmas morning. we will head to the rink in just a few minutes. >> she's beautiful. just a beautiful skater. >> first, we're going to get a check of the top stories from

veronica de la cruz. >> good morning, everyone. as you well know, christmas is being celebrated around the world today. here in new york thousands of people attended midnight mass at st. patrick's cathedral. similar services were held across the country and around the world. at the vatican during christmas eve mass, pope benedict decried the commercialization of christmas. hundreds of people gathered for christmas eve mass in bethlehem, the town believed to be the birthplace of jesus. at least 25 people are dead and aunknown number wounded after a bomb exploded today. one of them at a midnight mass at a catholic church. an islamic sect targeted africa's most pop list nation. in afghanistan this morning more violence. a suicide bomber killed at least 20 people, including a member of parliament and wounding 50 in the northern city. the people were gathered at a funeral when the bomb went off.

well, back here at home santa claus set a record on christmas eve as he raced across the globe on his traditional holiday mission. volunteers at peterson air force base in colorado said they fielded about 102,000 phone calls on his progress beginning early saturday. and santa's norad space book page recorded nearly 999,000 likes and santa had 89,000 twitter followers. finally, soldiers in the last u.s. brigade in iraq arrived just in time for christmas. nearly 200 soldiers arrived at fort hood on saturday to the excitement of relatives who have been waiting for two hours in the pouring rain. speaking of which, let's go ahead and take a check of the national weather forecast. a cold front brings wet weather to the pacific northwest today with a chance of mountain snow. the south will get showers and thunderstorms with the hea well, a very good christmas

morning to you. we have another chilly start with a freeze warning with 20s and 30s to start the day. as we head towards lunchtime, 40s and 50s and a few extra high clouds spilling into the afternoon. highs, 50s and 60s. seven-day forecast shows late tuesday into wednesday, we could actually see showers moving into the bay area. that is the news. merry christmas. let's send it back to lester. veronica, thanks. did you know that two out of three people have either regifted or considered doing it? while it may be widespread this time of year, be warned it's not done without peril. joining us with the dos and don'ts of holiday regifting and other financial issues we are joined by vera gibbons. >> retailers expect to return about 10 cents -- 9.9 cents on every dollar spent this christmas.

in good times it's around 7 cents. why the big difference? >> there's been a big surge in holiday returns, right? for a number of reasons. people are getting the bills. they're feeling cash-strapped. how are they going to pay these bills? they're finding similar items at less expensive prices at some other retailers. retail is continuing to undercut. then some retailers have really changed their return policies to make it too easy to make the returns. after the big buying binge at the beginning of the holiday season, we're taking a lot of stuff back. >> 13%. there was a survey. 13% of retailers will change their return policy forces this year. what are some of the more unusual policies? >> the restocking fee, for example. some retailers have done away with that one which is a good thing for consumers. not so good for retailers because the bulk of the returns that we're seeing happen to be in the electronics category. $17 billion what manufacturers will have to pay to restock and get the items back on the shelves. also, if you bought a party dress, a one-time event, for example, retailers are trying to discourage the use of

wardrobing, one-time use, fraud lent returns. $3 billion problem. you're going to have to have tags on those dresses if you want to make a return. this is the one that's been going on for a while. it's not different, but it is a pain is that there's all these different return policies depending on the product. amazon, for example, has 30 different product-specific return policies. it can get very, very confusing. >> returning a book is different than returning a sweater. >> you have different time frames and different deadlines. >> some return policies are lenient. >> yes, they are. there's still a few out there. >> macy's is good. sears is pretty good. nordstrom's is very good. costco takes pretty much anything back any time. they even offer free technical support for a lot of electronics. they even offer extended warranty coverage for tv's or computers. >> ll bean is lenient. any time of year they take almost anything back. >> what do you need to keep in mind to make your return successful? >> it's going to be busy out there.

one in five people make returns. you have to pack your patience. it's a good idea to have the right even though some stores may not require it. it is still your best defense. you want to know the time frame you've got in which to make the return. most merchants will give you 90 days for most products, but you might only have a couple of weeks for certain items, such as electronics, and the restocking fee, even though some retailers aren't charging it, some still are. it may not apply to electric tonks, but also special orders. >> this is where regifting steps in. you don't want to stay in the line, you could give it away. >> it's acceptable in this tough economic times. it has to be a new item, not something from last year, from the previous year. you have to remove sort of the telltale signs such as personal notes. you want to regift outside your immediate social circle, and you want to make sure that the recipient is going to like the gift that you are going to give them. >> i didn't like it, why should they like it? that's what a lot of people think. no, seriously, i think it's more common than we think. >> i think the rules go out the door when it applies to jenna. >> hey, i can hear you.

i'm in the studio. >> she's apparently still in the room. >> i thought she left the room. >> vera gibbons and jenna, thank you. >> thank you. >> up next, jenna flies with peter pan. seriously. right after this. ♪ i'm flying ♪ look at me way up high slip-oe way to go. more people do that, security would be like -- there's no charge for the bag. thanks. i know a quiet little place where we can get some work done. there's a three-prong plug. i have club passes. [ male announcer ] now there's a mileage card that offers special perks on united, like a free checked bag, united club passes, and priority boarding. thanks. ♪ okay. what's your secret? ♪ [ male announcer ] the new united mileageplus explorer card. get it and you're in. [ younger brother ] oh, do you want it? yeah. ok, we'll split it. [ female announcer ] made fresh, so light... ...buttery and flaky... this is half. that is not half. guys i have more. [ female announcer ] do you have enough crescents?

[ femala $100 cream. we were flattered when regenerist beat guys i have more. flabbergasted when we creamed a $500 cream. for about $30 regenerist micro-sculpting cream hydrates better than over 20 of america's most expensive luxury creams. fantastic. phenomenal. regenerist. [ female announcer ] introducing kleenex cool touch tissues. the only tissue that actively releases a cool sensation to soothe a sore nose on contact. kleenex cool touch tissues. a cool new way to soothe. kleenex cool touch tissues. ♪ hershey's chocolate syrup. stir up a smile.

time to deploy the chex mix boring potato chip decoy bag. now no one will want to steal the deliciousness. with a variety of tastes and textures, only chex mix is a bag of interesting. the name has become sin anonymous with young, fun, carefree, mischief, and katry rigby, who has played him for the last 30 years, couldn't be happier. the show we all grew up with, even though peter pan never did -- take a look. >> who and what are you?

>> freedom. >> it's eight hours before opening night. >> ah! >> reporter: eight hours before this stage turns into never never land. >> every good reason to be. >> 59-year-old cathy rigby plays 12-year-old peter pan, and it's not much of a leap, she says. >> you just know this is where your home is on stage. you don't have to act like peter pan. you just become him. >> reporter: and for this former world class gymnast, tumbling through the air is second nature. >> not one bit of fear, no? >> no fear. >> reporter: rigby has been playing the buy who never grows up for over 30 years. that's why i trusted her when she offered up her harness for a flying lesson. >> she wants my job. >> reporter: paul ruben is known as the fly guy. he pulls the strings. i'm not stupid. >> how long have you been doing this? i need to get your credentials. >> this february will be 25 years.

>> reporter: but the most important part of this entire operation? the fairy dust. >> tinker bell spent a lot of time cutting this up, so use it gingerly. think lovely wonderful thoughts. >> think lovely wonderful thoughts. >> then go. >> go! whoa! okay. that was not nearly as graceful as i thought it would be. >> it was perfect. >> whoa! >> and the distribution of fairy dust is great. >> they are? good. look at that. >> look at that. >> look how gorgeous. >> i swallowed it. >> no, don't. >> reporter: not quite my most graceful moment, but once i got my feet back on the ground, all grace. ♪ i won't grow up ♪ i won't grow up ♪ i don't want to go to school ♪ i don't want to go to cool zi knew cathy could perform on stage. ♪ not me ♪ not me ♪ so there >> reporter: transforming into one of the lost boys, that's a

different story. >> i'm supposed to be about 12. >> reporter: it's now 30 minutes before showtime, and rigby is in the final stages of preparation. >> she is slowly becoming peter pan. >> peter pan. >> reporter: there's just enough time for a last minute warm-up. >> look at that. >> reporter: and a little rehearsal. ♪ >> wow. that was awesome. my follow-up question, how many times have you actually hit yourself across the head? >> absolutely. you're the only one that ever has asked that. i've hit myself in the head and got a big knot. >> reporter: she's done this over 3,000 times, but she still gets those preshow butterflies. >> are you nervous? >> i'm excited. i try to not to get nervous. i will, but i'll get nervous right at the overture. ♪ >> just think lovely wonderful thoughts and up you go!

>> honestly, the minute you fly through the air, it's as if everything goes away. ♪ i'm flying ♪ i'm flying >> reporter: for me i had to give this flying thing one more >> what happened? stuck. hold on a second. >> you're kidding, right? wait. you're joke, right? >> you need a ladder? >> what kind of shoddy production is this. >> oh! >> that was funny. >> i love it. there is a little peter pan mischief. you can catch the performance at the theater of madison square , and they will be continuing their national tour next year. very few people get me. i'm the practical joker when i go on these stories as a correspondent, so this is great that they actually got me a little bit. >> did it leaf the mark where you hit the wall? >> it didn't leave a mark here, amy. i don't know what you are trying man. i don't know about the shoulder situation from here on out, but it was still a wonderful time.

>> okay, tmi. >> just ahead, we're going to go soaring of a different kind. we're going to take to the rock center ice with nicole bobek. far more gracious. we're back on this christmas morning right after this. fter ti not financially. so we switched to the bargain detergent, but i found myself using three times more than you're supposed to and the clothes still weren't as clean as with tide. so we're back to tide. they're cuter in clean clothes. thanks, honey. yeah. you suck at folding. [ laughs ] [ female announcer ] just one cap of tide plus bleach gives you more cleaning power than six caps of the bargain brand. visit facebook.com/tide to learn about special offers. that's my tide. what's yours? in 15 minutes, you can serve some warmth with your bread. and some flavor with your bread. and some layers with your bread. if you're serving bread honey, then serve it. grands! dinner ideas made easy. you don't decide when vegetables

reach the peak of perfection. the vegetables do. at green giant, we pick vegetables only when they're perfect. then freeze them fast so they're are as nutritious as fresh. [ green giant ] ho ho ho. ♪ green giant

pillsbury holiday star cookies start with pillsbury cookie dough easy. then add my own favorite frosting and sprinkles. just three ingredients to sweet memories. holiday ideas made easy. in 15 minutes, [ female announcer ] you call that bread? you can serve some warmth with your bread. and some flavor with your bread. and some layers with your bread. if you're serving bread honey, then serve it. grands! dinner ideas made easy. new year's day on nbc you'll have the chance to see the entire group of female skating legends take to the ice to kick off national skating month. today on christmas we are lucky to have one of those pros with showcasing her skills this morning. 1995 u.s. champion nicole bobek. good morning. thanks for joining us this morning. >> no problem. >> so the show is called ceasar's tribute too, and this is basically a nod to some of

skating's most talented. tell me about the performance and what you'll be skating to. >> the performance is quite amazing. we have nothing but the best of the best. we have nancy kerrigan, sarah hughes, sasha cohen. all the top female scalers from all the years in one performance. >> you are also doing a tribute to peggy fleming. >> we're doing a tribute to peggy fleming. she's been inspiration to many skaters growing up, and this is kind of a celebration and giving something back to her. >> we mentioned this is national skating month. what does that mean to the skating world and the skating community? >> national skating month is kind of a big event. we want people to really get out there and try skating of all ages, to go out there and just have a good time in celebration of what we do. >> we put this tree up just for you. i hope you enjoy it. i know it's freezing out here, so we're going to let you get ready to skate. good luck. >> thank you. >> thank you very much. we want to remind everybody, you can see ceasars tribute ii, a salute to the ladies of the

ice on new year's day at 4:00 p.m. right here on nbc. nicole bobek, everybody. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ [ applause ] >> beautiful performance by nicole bobek, and we're back right after this. what's this? it's progresso's new loaded potato with bacon.

it's good. honey, i love you... oh my gosh, oh my gosh.. look at these big pieces of potato. ♪ what's that? big piece of potato. [ male announcer ] progresso. you gotta taste this soup. what's that? big piece of potato. wait a second... with olay challenge that. new regenerist wrinkle revolution... relaxes the look of wrinkles instantly, and the look of deep wrinkles in 14 days. ready, set, smooth... regenerist. from olay. [ female announcer ] let betty crocker do the measuring and get a head start on delicious homemade cookies. ♪ just pour, mix...love.

mmm... pillsbury crescent wrapped brie just unroll, wrap the brie and bake. it's so easy. now this might even impress aunt martha. pillsbury crescent wrapped brie. holiday ideas made easy.

in 15 minutes, [ female announcer ] you call that bread? you can serve some warmth with your bread. and some flavor with your bread. and some layers with your bread. if you're serving bread honey, then serve it. grands! dinner ideas made easy. ♪ sleigh bells ring >> and that's just about it for us on this christmas morning. we want to wish you and your family a very merry christmas. >> and we leave you with one more song from the mount olive baptist church. hallelujah to the king. merry christmas, everyone. ♪ ♪ in a manger one winter night the jesus child was born ♪ ♪ no crown his head adorned

no royal robe he wore ♪ ♪ the world knew it was saved ♪ and now he reigns and we proclaim ♪ ♪ glory to god ♪ glory to god in the highest ♪ goodwill indeed to men ♪ hosanna ♪ all the angels sing ♪ all the angels sing ♪ hallelujah to the king of kings ♪ ♪ come on, we lift our voices, sing hallelujah ♪ ♪ hallelujah ♪ we give his name the glory

♪ hallelujah ♪ the highest praises ♪ hallelujah ♪ hallelujah ♪ oh, we sing hallelujah ♪ hashing the herald, the angels sing ♪ ♪ oh, yeah ♪ hallelu ♪ they sing glory to the newborn king ♪ ♪ hallelu ♪ it's peace on earth and mercy ♪ ♪ for god and sinners are now reconciled ♪ ♪ we sing hallelu to the king of kings ♪ [ applause ]

-- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com