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Savannah Guthrie's bittersweet Christmas revealed as she opens up about the holidays with her family - exclusive

The star is currently absent from Today

savannah guthrie tearful farewell today
Hannah Hargrave
US Deputy Editor
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Savannah Guthrie adores the holiday season and does everything she can to make it a magical time for her two children, Vale and Charley. 

However, her passion for Christmas is bittersweet as it also marks an emotional day for her family. 

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The star lost her dad when she was a teenager and she spoke to HELLO! about why the festive period is so bittersweet.

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"Christmas is always a very special time in my family," she said. "My father was born on Christmas and it was his favorite holiday too. It had a magic around it and I try to recreate that for my kids." 

Savannah's dad passed away in 1988 when she was only sixteen-years-old after suffering an unexpected heart attack.

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The mom-of-two often remembers him with fondness and while it's sad that he isn't there to celebrate, she does all that she can to make their own traditions as a family. 

View post on Instagram
 

Savannah's father died when she was 16 years old 

Speaking of her children, she ontinued: "I want them to feel it's as much of a magical time as I always felt and treasured. I want to keep the old traditions alive but also start new ones."

She then elaborated on those traditions when she said: "We never wore matching PJs when I was little. Now we are doing it."

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Not that her husband Michael is very impressed with the decision. "And there is my husband, and he's wearing these ridiculous things and then I put it on Instagram," Savannah said with a laugh. "He's like 'What are you doing? What about my reputation for coolness'. And I'm like, 'Well, you never had it.'"

today savannah guthrie children© Photo: Instagram

Savannah wants to make Christmas as magical as she can for her children

Savannah is currently dealing with a difficult illness which means she missed the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting. 

She updated fans from her bed where she revealed she had a fever and was feeling pretty under the weather in an Instagram post.

In her caption, she wrote: "UGH - flu or something like it since Monday. I'm so sad to miss the tree lighting and TODAY." 

The longtime host added: "Hopefully it passes soon! Miss everyone."

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