Christmas Day has rarely belonged to Savannah James. For nearly two decades, the NBA schedule has dictated how the James family spends the holiday, and once again, LeBron James will be on the court instead of at home.

On the Everybody’s Crazy podcast, Vannah told her friend and co-host, April McDaniels, that she’s not a big “gift-getter,” that’s not her love language. The bright spot this year is that her youngest son, Bryce James, will be home. “I’m happy that Bryce is coming home,” James shared. It’s a brief break from Wildcats duties for the 18-year-old.

Savannah added, “I’m happy that I mean the NBA has been sucking up my Christmases for a long time. But I’m happy that everybody is home and we get to go to the game to support Bronny and LeBron.” It wasn’t said with bitterness, just honesty. Christmas has often come second to LeBron’s responsibilities. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar will be playing in his NBA-record 20th Christmas Day game. This year, he will be on the floor at Crypto.com Arena, hosting the Houston Rockets.

Just like Bronny and Bryce, many fans grew up watching LeBron play on Christmas Day. So, even if Savannah has her frustrations with the NBA, for many fans, Christmas Day basketball has long been synonymous with watching LeBron take the floor. Meanwhile, Savannah admitted that X-Mas isn’t her favorite holiday.

And the James family isn’t alone in that adjustment. Across professional sports, holiday games have become routine, whether it’s the NFL on Thanksgiving or the NBA on Christmas. For players, the calendar doesn’t stop; it just shifts.

“Love Halloween,” she confessed, but does she care about Christmas? “I care for the day of Christmas. I’m a spiritual being, so I recognize the sanctity around it,” she said. “But it’s just the vibes.” She’s a “summer baby,” as she likes to put it, and snow is a big no-no. Growing up in Ohio, she’s never been a fan of the cold weather. And despite being brought up in great traditions, Halloween remains her favorite, “I like the scary,” she added.

However, keeping up with the traditions she brought from her home to the James household, Chinese would be the menu for X-Mas. Savannah James is passing down the rituals to her kids. “So we will order Chinese, and that’s what I said, family tradition,” she said. “We don’t really have much family to be able to do the brunch situation. But okay, the food.”

She might be happier to know what LeBron truly desires for Christmas. As it turns out, LeBron’s own feelings about Christmas echo the same frustration Savannah has quietly carried for years. Seems like the 20th holiday game appearance is bringing out all the emotions saved up over the years.

LeBron James admits he would rather be home on Christmas

A historic twentieth Christmas Day game night for LeBron James. This time, he will have Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets walk into his home arena. But Bron understands the significance of a Christmas Day game in the NBA; he’s been in this showbiz for 23 years. And even when he wishes he were at home, cozy and comfortable with his family around, that’s not been the case in years.

Yet this time, speaking with the media, the soon-to-be 41-year-old admitted that being away from home on Christmas never really gets easier.

“Obviously, I’d rather be home on the couch with my family all day,” James said. “But our number is called, so we go out and perform. That’s the job.”

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Christmas has usually meant being at the arena instead. With an 11-8 record on Christmas Day, James is seeking his 12th victory in this year’s game.

Savannah’s day presents a unique perspective. She’s never been a fan of Christmas, and she’s made no secret of it. What she considers to be the most important thing is being with each other, regardless of the fact that a game has to be played around a holiday.