Rachael Ray shares holiday traditions with husband John Cusimano

It should come as no surprise that Rachael Rayholiday traditions revolve around food.

She shared her Christmas stuff exclusively with Us Weekly before A&E’s premiere Rachael Rae Hollidays.

“My family always wants lasagna or pasta for Christmas and some prime rib or tenderloin, so it’s kind of a food tradition for us,” she said us. “But (my husband John Cusimano) and I love seafood during the holidays because on Christmas Eve that’s what you have to eat.

They got married in 2005. and built a routine around the holidays. Although Ray, 56, says Cusimano “contributes a lot” to the to-do list, there’s one big one he always has to tackle.

“I always have him make the eggnog from scratch,” she explained. “He has a killer recipe where he froths skim milk and then stirs in cardamom, cinnamon, rum and egg. It’s lighter than store-bought eggnog, but just as delicious.”

Ray added that not every tradition the couple has involves cooking (or mixing drinks) for themselves. Even celebrity chefs enjoy takeout every now and then – and this is a favorite during Ray and Cusimano’s date nights at their Tuscan home.

“We have some limited takeout options near us in Italy, but there is good Chinese food if you drive far, and of course great pizza very close by, which we get all the time,” she shared. “We also have great friends near us who are chefs or chefs, so sometimes we call them and say ‘I’m really tired, can you send over some chopped steak and a salad?’

That doesn’t mean all winter revolves around food and drink. In fact, Ray shared that her favorite tradition of all has nothing to do with the kitchen—and it’s something she and Cusimano can share with those in need.

Related: Rachael Ray gives health update, says she’s had ‘a few bad falls’

Rachael Ray is currently recovering from a few “falls,” but that’s not stopping her from launching her new podcast, I’ll Sleep When I Die. “I am a housewife. I love chores, I love being in the kitchen. I’m always working with my brain every day, I’m always writing something,” 56-year-old Ray revealed during the debut (…)

“One of my favorite holiday traditions is playing Santa by donating to the worthy charity partners of the Rachael Ray Foundation, which is the beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of our Nutrish pet food brand,” she added. “This season we will donate approximately $6 million in revenue, and over the years we have donated $115 million to support our partners’ causes. I am so grateful for this opportunity – it has become an amazing tradition for us.”

Rachael Ray’s Holidays premieres back-to-back Sunday, December 8 at 10 a.m. ET on A&E as part of the Home.Made.Nation lifestyle programming block.