>> narrator: from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb. >> hello, everybody. it is december 24th. we want to wish you a merry christmas eve. >> "santa tell me" by arianna grande. and the girl that has stunned audiences is here with a christmas song for us. and before you get to the presents tomorrow, you will probably enjoy a great meal tonight. we're going to show you how to do it italian style with the feast of the seven fishes. >> and bobby is buzzing with excitement with games that all

>> look at miles, that is a beautiful child. all children are beautiful, but that -- oh -- >> all glammed up for their christmas eve festivities tonight, how about this -- >> a christmas miracle. >> we have one to share with you right now. >> we found a hat that fits hoda. it is a christmas miracle. it is an xl. it is so crazy. a website, the topten.com. and it posted the most popular things to do on christmas eve. first of all, listen to christmas music. sleigh bells ring, are you listening."

and then you can track santa on the north american aerospace command. >> that is such fun for christmas thing for kids. you can see exactly where he is. this was a tradition in our house, open one gift christmas eve, and deciding which one was so hard. do i take the big one, what if it's not the thing. the other is creme to keep christ in christmas, the reason for the season. watch a christmas movie. >> yes, i do "love actually." >> and spend time with loved ones if you have some. >> it is christmas eve and

we dug through our kathie lee vault, and we have the fit and fabulous workout. cassidy was one year old. >> other leg, hug the thigh and hold it there. >> my sister did it with me. my friend lori -- in the green is -- my old body, boy do i miss it. >> on amazon right now, it has five stars. amazon.com. >> there was no amazon.com when i did it. >> wow. >> off and on, he is tells about her morning exercise routine, you say when you brush your

>> when you have to brush your teeth, don't you. i know what you're thinking, and no no no, i was thinking about the buns. this is how you do it, you steady yourself in front of your sing. lolor yourself down with your thigh muscles and let your bottom do the lifting. while you're down there, you squeeze and lift, squeeze and lift, hold it, hold it, squeeze squeeze squeeze. ten or 15 seconds. i know is painful, but it works. >> it's also before there was electric toothbrushes. >> first of all, all of that that you had going on there is something -- >> you know what -- i told you, i've done everything in this business except for -- don't say it on christmas eve.

>> all right, here is a hall mark commercial that captured a lot of people's attention. >> did i do that? >> no. there are two types of people for tree decorating. some want some fit for a window display, and others don't care about perfection. >> like charlie brown. so hall mark did a good job recognizing one of the perfectionist moms. >> anywhere you want. >> the ornaments should be spread out again. >> why did you do that? >> how are you -- this polar bear doesn't like sparkly things. symmetry. >> i did it -- >> wow, who did the tree? >> we did. >> they did. >> cute. a fine line between letting them have the joy and --

>> the same, the same, they don't like to go there. >> they go to bed and you come down and fix it. >> we have a guest, our friend heavenly joy is here. thank you for coming to see us. >> what are these? >> they are gingerbread men. >> you're so sweet, thank you. your skirt lights up, that is so exciting. >> how are you been since we saw you? >> very very good. >> you're going to sing for us later -- >> what are you munching on right now? >> it is a little candy cane -- >> nope, it is a vitamin c. >> you're going to sing a little for us, right? we could give you a little something but that would be illegal.

>> that is her big girl drink. >> it's like a milkshake but it's not. >> you're very fancy. who are you, heavenly joy. will you sing a little for us before you do your actual snmpls. >> all right, bye. we're ready. silent night, holy night all is calm, all is bright mother and child, holy infant so tender and mild sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace >> come back up here. you're the best, we love you. do you know how much we love you?

we can't even describe, it's like this big. you're like the brand any shirley temple to us. >> would you like to hear another zonk, it's a christmas song, i get to pick a song every week, i chose this song and it is called "this christmas." do you know this one? let's play it. your mom knows it. all right, we want to remind

sirius xm channel eight. >> it is beginning to look a lot like christmas for two ladies in particular. >> ambush makeover is after this, and heavenly joy will have a new song that her dad wrote. that is coming up, you'll have to wait because it is a christmas treat. >> this is a christmas treat. >> you're a christmas treat. >> what's your favorite cookie? >> chocolate chip. but my dad is like crazy about them. zack. turning it on now.

feel a cold coming on? new zicam cold remedy nasal swabs shorten colds with a snap, and reduce symptom severity by 45%. shorten your cold with a snap, with zicam. the snow is starting to fall and our loved ones are gathered all around, so share that extra joy in your heart and make this christmas even more special than the last.

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this is christmas eve and also thirsty thursday. and we bring you our a.m. bush makeovers, so joning us now is louie and jill martin. how it was today? >> it was great. the festive spirit is in the air, and this is the best gift that we could gift that jill and i could give. >> first we have loran. he is is a retired school counsellor and a mother of three boys. they came down for a concert

stay all day, but they're here. >> happy holidays, and bob, you're excited? >> i am, i think this is a great opportunity for her to do something for herself. >> it is very nice, and you said you want this to be her gift for the holidays, right? from you? >> one of many. >> what do you think about all of this? >> i'm excited. nervous but excited. i do need a makeover, i'll admit it. >> he is is here with her big spending husband, bob, so let's take a look at the old loran and bring out the new one. just in time for christmas eve. >> oh, yeah. >> wow, beautiful. >> wow. sexy, bob you better take a deep breath and take off the blind

-- okay, bob -- >> you want to turn around and see? >> whoa! i could see back there without my glasses. >> so chic. >> tell us about it. >> i lovee the way you look, i have to say. you're good, stay right there. obviously her hair, he is had -- he is didn't take care of her roots. i got rit ofd of the roots and i made it significantly darker and it is so beautiful. >> so attractive. >> and what do we think -- igor did her make up. he did a fantastic job, kept it simple. >> beautiful. >> and tell us about that outfit, jill. i love the flow of it. this is a dress that you

house, black market, and the shrug is on it's own, and a beautiful long necklace. what do you think, bob? >> i'm glad we have a late check out -- >> okay, bob. our second lucky lady is janice watkins. he is is a retired dental assistant. he is currently runs a cattle farm with more than 60 cows. janice and 11 of her relatives took her mother on a bucket list girl's trip to new york city. and i ran into this whole -- >> we took a selfie. i was on the way in. here is a look at her story. >> a girl's trip to new york! a wild bunch on the plaza, and mom, you want this for your daughter? >> i do, i do. every day he is comes to the

going out to take care of the cattle, and he is deserves to look great for the day. >> so if we make her totally glam, high heels, fancy dress? >> i won't be able to walk. >> it will be good. he is is here with lori, loren, loretta, and brook -- keep the blindfolds on for one more second. let's see the new you, janice. >> okay, ladies, look at your girl. >> are you ready to spin around? >> oh my gosh!

my niece looks like me. >> it's like a mirror. >> oh my gosh, yeah. >> gorgeous, janice. igor cut this hair with the layers in the front. he is is part cherokee. what a different look. >> it's the color -- >> it's the whole thing. >> ladies, what do you think? >> wow. he is looks beautiful. stunning. and that dress is so perfect for her. >> yes, great for the holidays from maggie london. let's bring loran back out. merry christmas to you. gather around, everybody. we're all abuzz with games for

that is after this. there are some people you should give underwear to this holiday. and there are some people you shouldn't . people you should. shouldn't. janice! should. shouldn't. yes. no. should. no way. should. no. definitely not. ha ha, nay. you shouldn't give underwear to everybody. but for those you do, give them fruit of the loom. feel secure in your dentures... feel free to be yourself all day. just switch from denture paste to sea-bond denture adhesive seals. holds stronger than the leading paste all day... without the ooze. feel secure. be yourself. with stronger, clean sea-bond. this holiday, give the gift of ferrero rocher. ferrero rocher...

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it is time for bobby's buzz in. >> why are we covered up little miles, but here he is. >> if you're looking to spend quality time with the family while showing off your competitive side, listen up. here to show us games for all ages, professional girlfriend bobby thomas. it is a family edition of bobby's buzz. >> it's all about hanging out when it comes to the holidays like this, and it's hard to get games that everyone can get involved in. put down the cell phones and it's all about family fun. first up, we have what is called

it may be rememberiniscent of a game college kids play, you just have do bounce the balls into a pattern inside. it is just skill, luck, as you can see. >> and next up, a really fun game, everyone has these in front of them. mustache staff. you're going to try to grab as many mustaches can you can. >> you're scaring the child. >> we're making too much noise. >> and what do you do with them? >> that's how you win the game. it is supposed to be fast. okay, so the next game is something you have not seen before. you pick a body part and an art design, and you will draw a tattoo. this is hilarious if you get back on social media at the end of the day.

>> what body part? >> face. >> story, bobby. >> this is supposed to be, i have not tested it, washable. >> don't talk while i'm doing it. >> there you go, that's a lot of fun. >> oh, he doesn't like that. he doesn't like the mustache. merry christmas to you will, sweet heart. little heavenly joy will sing

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the only person arrested in connection with a home invasion, in sioux city, will be arraigned on new year's eve. 21-year-old austin cummings of sioux city faces four charges connected to the robbery and assault that terrorized a sioux city woman, and her sons, back on december 7th. police say cummings was one of two men who entered the home of jodi blackwell in the 26- hundred block of south alice street about three a-m. the men asked for drugs and money.

they had the wrong house. blackwell's 19-year-old son was tied up and beaten with a crowbar while blackwell was held at gunpoint. the thieves took multiple video game systems, a tv and cell phone. snow is moving into the area. we may have a white christmas. tj's got the details. here's ben with weather.

the city concert series on "today" is proudly presented to you by citi. >> it is christmas eve thursday, and we're here with the cutest 6-year-old in the world, heavenly joy jerkins. he is has a new song, and a percentage from the song is going to be donated -- >> do you love christmas? >> yes. >> what do you love about christmas? >> we get to celebrate jesus

>> what's your favorite christmas song? is it this new one? >> this one and a lot of jackson 5 songs. hey, guys, christmas time is here and i'm so excited. this year, i want to do something different. i want to be jus like jesus and get everybody gifts christmas time is here again time for joy and cheer again come together the holiday has come around and happy days ba do do do

there is no betterway to feel love on christmas day and we will find -- because there are no more, so what are you waiting for oh -- church bells ring, ring ring a ring a ring the choir sings sing sings celebrating jesus they'll gather around the fire sharing things they desire

the greatest gift of all comes straight from above there is no better way to feel love and we will find when the love of god is the light there are no more, so what are you waiting for it's christmas time, it's here again my love is here again come together as one singing as one

caring as one [ cheers and applause ] >> merry christmas, everybody! >> merry christmas, are we doing it right? -- >> and you're not saying it right. >> we love you, honey, a little christmas before a christmas eve meal. you're the best. we'll be back with the feast of the seven fishes after this.e humble potato. pudgy, dimpled and plain. ooh, look out, here comes butter. this homely dirt dweller just transformed from a spud... into a stud. you're welcome! [mooo] return to real food. dairy products made with california milk.

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should we put a jelly bean on the top? purple? absolutely. [singing] on the third day of christmas my true love sent to me. i was born a dreamer. introducing kisses deluxe chocolates. with a whole-roasted hazelnut, delicate crisps, and layers of rich, creamy chocolate,

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>> that is literally -- >> nick has seven simple seafood recipes that anyone can make christmas eve or all year long. >> we're italian, we love to eat, cook, and cook together. let's start with this. that is a mimosa. >> it is a type of citrus, it is native, but we grow them in new orleans. >> you have a tree in your yard? >> yes. >> that is fresh and nice. >> used to catch all of the neighbors jumping in the tree and breaking the branchs. this is a great dish to make ahead of time and there is no cooking required. it's a crab dip.

vinegar, creole. we'll turn that on. blend that up a little bit, and then we'll add our green onions and lemon zest. >> it is always a challenge. >> put the top back on, hit it again. all right, and we'll pour a little oil in there. do you want a job? all right, we'll shut that off, and that is done. it is this, just a mayonnaise base -- >> oh, i want it, good grief. >> how delicious. >> capers. >> we want to get to everything. >> are we supposed to try that? okay.

crab and oyster casserole. >> is it awesome? >> uh-huh. >> oysters, crab meat, oregano, panchetta in there. and a little secret -- save some of that fat and we'll pour it on top of the casserole. >> that's how you do it. nobody messes around here. we're going to top it with bread crumbs, parmesan cheese. pop it in the oven, and it will be ready to go. let's go around front here.

is the crab dip. this is a pooches shrimp -- >> what is in that? >> grapefruit -- >> what is that -- >> that is crab meet artichoke. there is breadcrumbs, garlic, crab meat. my mother makes it the best, those are delicious. this is the casserole we made earlier, a great dish, have it ready for when you guests come. this is great, muscles and clams with sal is a verde. super simple, packs great flavor, light on your waist. super simple snapper.

>> i enjoy cooking, got it from my family, it is wonderful. >> congratulations. >> and something else -- >> this is a red fish stew -- >> i can't handle it. >> they're all on today.com/food. >> and somebody is at the door. come here. we're going to tell you if your choice is naughty or nice after this. >> probably naughty. >> this is crazy by the way -- out of control, mad to the core, angry. so cancer, you've got two options. get out of the way or get rolled over. anger. just one reason more of us are surviving cancer than dying from it.

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it may feel like more, but on average, americans gain about one pound during the holidays. >> it doesn't sound like a lot, but year after year those can really add up. and that is why madeline is here to help us make smarter food choices with a game we like to

>> hello, merry christmas to both of you. >> we're having visitors, and they have a choice of two things, and i'm going to ask a question about it. you will ring your bell, and it's all about smart indulgences and not about derivation, but being mindful. so who is at the door? >> come in. >> oh, santa is here with hot buttered rum and eggnog. for the same eight ounce serving, the hot butter rum. >> you have to say if there is alcohol in the eggnog -- >> okay, so 300 calories and about 360, but you can downsize your serving. let's see who is at the door.

>> oh, mrs. clause. he is has cocktail meat balls or -- the cocktail meat balls are about 90 calories versus the little hot dogs. portion control really counts. >> hay, hoda, who is at the door? it is a little elf. >> it is little miles. >> a baked ham or a prime rib, five ounces of them, which is lower in fat and calories. >> it is the baked ham, you can always downsize your serving. five ounces is a nice serving. >> i wonder who else is here?

it is rudolf with christmas candy. which is more friendly, two candy canes, or one serving of peppermint bark. >> i think the two candy canes. >> i think you're right, there is about 60 calories per cane. >> hey, kathie, who is at the door? frosty. we have two european style deserts. plum putting or the p -- it is like a pound cake with fruit in it. >> i'm going with the chocolate. >> i don't this it is, it is plum, it has dried fruits, lots

that is wrong, have panettone. >> one last against, it is a martian. >> it is the grin much. >> that is a pickle with a hat on. >> we have a canoli, or three bakery butter cookies. which one is lower in calories. >> the butter cookies. >> you would be right. >> all right, thank you, happy hanukkah. although it is past, and a fond

thank you. okay, before we go, a shoutout to our facebook friends who found our elf on the shelf. >> and maria saw regis. mic -- mic took this picture of his wife. >> he is forgot he is had not done her hair yet. >> tomorrow we'll show you how