The beloved NFL mom tells PEOPLE she recalls “screams, laughter, and a flurry of ripped wrapping paper,” during Kelce family Christmas
This holiday season, Donna Kelce is reminiscing on the days before her sons, Jason and Travis Kelce, grew up to become NFL stars.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Donna shares that she’s planning to spend Christmas Day in Philadelphia to support Jason, 36, as the Eagles host the New York Giants.
Meanwhile, Travis, 34, and the Chiefs will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Kansas City.
But Donna is used to spending her Christmas away from home. Before her sons made it to the NFL, Donna was still frequently away from home this time of year supporting her sons as they pursued their athletic dreams.
“Most times, the holidays were spent supporting the kids in various sporting events and enjoying the Christmas break with other families,” Donna tells PEOPLE.
“But I remember the joy in their eyes as they woke up early on Christmas Day to come downstairs to screams, laughter and a flurry of ripped wrapping paper,” she recalls.
Donna’s Christmas Day plans with Jason will include some quality time with her daughter-in-law, Kylie Kelce, and grandchildren, Elliotte, 2, Wyatt, 3, and Bennett, who was born in March.
“I will be in Philadelphia for Christmas, spending time with my grandkids as we cheer on their dad,” Donna says.
Her plan for Christmas Day also includes a fun opportunity for fans to try Donna’s cookies that she famously brought to Jason and Travis ahead of the Super Bowl.
This year, Chiefs and Eagles fans will have a chance to buy her chocolate chip cookies on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field through her partnership with Aramark Sports + Entertainment.
“All proceeds from cookie sales will benefit organizations selected by the teams – the Eagles Autism Foundation in Philadelphia and Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City,” Donna says. “These two organizations mean a lot to my sons, and it’s a nice feeling to be able to support them in my own special way.”
The cookies will be available at Arrowhead Stadium, Kingdom Lodge in Section 136 starting at 1 p.m. ET and Lincoln Financial Field, HeadHouse Plaza, Club Markets, and Suite Level at 4:30 p.m. ET.
And Donna says she may even surprise some lucky fans who come to get cookies. “I may be popping by some of the cookie stands at Lincoln Financial Field, so I encourage people to stop by and say hello!”
Since she’ll be with Jason’s family on Christmas Day, Donna says she’ll travel to Kansas City to watch Travis’s game “with family, friends and Chiefs fans” this year.
Hectic travel itineraries aside, Donna is happy to make the trips to support her sons.
“I understand that it’s part of the job,” she says of holiday games. “I embrace the holiday games and enjoy the special days with our football family.”
Christmas Day will be football-filled for Donna, but she says her family “will enjoy Christmas as a family on another day.”
“Santa somehow has always been able to find families who work on Christmas Day on an alternate date,” she adds.
The Chiefs and Raiders will kick off their Christmas Day game first at 1 p.m. ET, while the Eagles and Giants play at 4:30 p.m.
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