Transcripts For WRC Today 20091225

♪ good morning, and merry christmas. no better way to start things off than with some fitting music from the harlem quartet, today, christmas day, friday, december 25th, 2009. ♪ captions paid for by nbc-universal television ♪ ♪ that's awfully nice. welcome to "today" on this christmas morning. inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer alongside meredith vieira, al roker and ann curry. merry christmas to you as well. >> merry christmas. >> the harlem quartet sounded great as well. >> sounded grt. they performed one of the obamas' christmas parties in washington, d.c. i'm sure they were equally wonderful at that event as well. do you have any holiday traditions from being a kid or have you started new ones with your families? >> opening presents, for the kids, they get to open one on christmas eve. >> we do the same thing. >> ours are still young enough, they're still waking us up at 5:30 in the morning and dragging us downstairs. >> see, i miss those days. >> yeah, it's sweet. >> i love that. we have to wake them up now. >> in the afternoon. >> exactly. >> i love this process of decorating the tree, you know it was always special to me as a kid and finally my kids are old enough to appreciate it. it's not a game of how many decorations they can break. >> right, right. >> they actually like them on the tree. >> when do you decorate, christmas eve or -- >> no, we do it a couple weeks in advance, because we take it down quickly after christmas. >> but you like doing it because you like pulling out the ornaments that remind you, this the one that matt made. i love that part. >> exactly. we gave all of our kids violin lessons so they could gather like the harlem quartet and play for us -- none of them -- >> sent them out to make a living. >> gave them the violin when they were5. we don't do that anymore. >> we enjoy this tradition, starting our christmas with you in studio 1a. we have plenty to get to this morning, including festive music, great food and holiday fun. >> how about charles dickens' "a christmas carol"? you might be surprised to know how many christmas traditions originated with that famous story. we'll count them up for you. keith miller does that for us later on. >> always does them well. and also ahead, the man called the most influential pastor in america, rick warren. he's going to be stopping by to talk about the true spirit of christmas and why family traditions are more important today than ever. ut first, let's get things started on this christmas morning with a check of the morning's top stories, and with ann here, jenna wolfe is over at the news desk. jenna, good morning to you. >> and good morning to you, meredith. yeah, the vatican says pope benedict is doing fine this morning after being attacked during a christmas eve mass. nbc's martin fletcher has the latest now from vatican city. >> reporter: the midnight mass procession began normally. pope benedict xvi leading the cardinals through st. petersburg basilica. worshippers gathered all day and underwent tough security before being admitted, but not tough enough. as the pope approached the burns family of texas, who took these pictures, a woman in red suddenly leapt over the barer. security men lunged, grabbed her. on the way down, she grabbed the pope's clothes, pulling him down, too, as well as an -year-old french cardinal. he broke his leg, but the pope was unhurt. the woman was quickly hustled away. it turned out, she tried the same thing last year but then was stopped by the pope's bodyguards. >> all of a sudden, this person sort of flew over the barricade and the holy father went down. >> reporter: pope benedict quickly got up and continued, apparently unfazed, but the pope's security men now face a problem, how to allow the pope to continue to be so close to the people and keep him safe. martin fletcher, nbc news, the vatican. after battling it out in brazilian courts for five years, david goldman is spending christmas with his son sean back in the u.s. nbc's jeff rossen is live for us in orlando. jeff, good morning to you. >> reporter: jenna, good morning to you. this is exactly where david and sean goldman wanted to spend christmas, and so, here we are in orlando, florida. we spent aboutine hours together yesterday, flying back from brazil all the way here to the u.s. and florida. it was an emotional flight, as david goldman told me, "this is surreal." a tender father-son moment at 40,000 feet. after five years, david goldman can barely believe it, he was back together with his son, smiling, and ultimately, headed home. >> here we are up in the heavens. >> reporter: with your son just five feet from us. >> it's a christmas miracle. >> reporter: the goldmans were invited on a jet nbc news chartered to fly back to the u.s. sean was reserved in the beginning but soon opened up, horsing around, even starting a playful food fight. but it's hard to forget how tough this must be on sean, from the chaotic handoff in rio thursday morning to a new life by thursday night. >> it's a big adjustment for a 9-year-old, right, going from brazilian life to american life. >> he's got a family and a father who know no boundaries and will go to the ends of the earth to shower him with our love. >> reporter: goldman told us he will allow sean's brazilian grandmother visitation, but now comes the hardest part of all, parenting a 9-year-old who is so scared. i think he's fast asleep right now. >> good. although i hope he doesn't sleep the whole plane and then stays awake all night, because i'm exhausted. >> reporter: spon like a true father. he's already learning. we've all been there. sean goldman, we should mention, speaks portuguese as his first language. he speaks broken english, but he struck me as a normal 9-year-old kid. he hung out in the cockpit for a while and told me he loves video games. >> all right, jeff, thank you very much. welcome back. and now we're going to take a look at your local weather. >> we've got a powerful winter storm that continues to take a toll on the midwest. heavy winds and snow across the northern plains eastward to the great lakes region some areas could see up to a foot of snow near the dakotas and minnesota. does make for a nice christmas morning, though, doesn't it? as that system continues to move eastward, we'll see freezing rain and ice from virginia up to upstate new york. it is now 7:07, and let us send it back to meredith. now to the true meaning of "today." pastor rick warren leads the saddleback mega church. his latest book is called "the purpose of christmas." paor warren, good morning to you. pastor rick. >> merry christmas to you and everybody watching today. >> merry christmas. it's been a difficult year for so many people. >> it really has. >> the economy's been tough. >> it has. >> debate over health care and the war in afghanistan and iraq has divided some families. >> right. >> how do you remai faithful and hopeful in a time of such challenges? >> actually, meredith, i think we really need christmas this year probably more than we've needed in a while. there are really three purposes of christmas. it's for good times, it's for good news and it's for goodwill. the angel said first, "i bring you good news of great joy," which means it's time for celebration, and actually, it's a good thing to party. christmas comes just in the northern hemisphere in the darkest par of the year and it's good to have the lights and the singing. >> but a lot of people may not feel like partying right now. >> well, they don't, they don't. and in that situation, there are tw more purposes. there's the salvation and there's the reconciliation. you know, another word for salvation is freedom, and a lot of people don't feel very free. >> right. >> they feel trapped by their finances, trapped by expectations of other people, trapped by the past, trapped by resentment, things like that. the bible says, the second thing the angel said was "i bring you good news of great joy." it's good news, and then it says "and peace on earth, goodwill to men." so, goodwill is the reconciliation. we need to be right with god, we need to be right with each other. but during this time, and particularly on christmas day, i think it's important -- a lot of times, people look back and go, look at all the stuff i lost this last year. don't look at what you've lost, look at what's left. >> for sebody watching, pastor rick, who's had a tough year, and may be asking, wondering, what is my purpose on this ristmas when i can't even give my family gifts, i can't provide for my own loved ones? >> well, it's a really important point. in the first place, it's important to remember that the greatest things in life aren't things, you know? your net worth and yourelf worth are not the same thing. your value as a person is not your valuables. and really, what people need more than anything else, like parents who worry, well, i can't get my kids the greatest gift. kids don't need things. they need love. they need their parents. they need time. eventually, we all figure out, it's all about relationships. and if we can figure that out sooner, christmas is that god cared enough to come to earth so we could have a relationship with him and then so we could have relationships with each other. >> we only have about 30 seconds left. i know on christmas you and your family ask two questions -- what are you thankful for in the past year and what are you going to give jesus as a gift. what are your answers this year, pastor rick? >> well, of course, i'm grateful for all of the typical things, my wife, my children, y, josh, matthew, my in-laws, daughter-in-law jamie, who was a year ago about to die of a brain tumor. my son-in-law tommy, and then caleb, kaley, cassidy and cole, my grandkids. and i'm grateful for america. we live in a country where everybody has the freedom to believwhat they want to believe. i figure we've got to work on this common good issue. and then what i'm going it give jesus -- i always say, he's the birthday boy, what are we going to give him? and this next year, i'm going to give him more of my time. i'm going to be more thoughtful -- >> you did that last year, too. >> well, time is money. time is your life. if you give him your time, then you're giving him the very thing that your life is made up of. >> pastor rick, thank you so much. >> thank you. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> now here's matt. all right, meredith, thank you. whether you've already opened up all the gifts or still have some more to come, chances are that a high-tech gadget like an ipod or gps navigator could be sitting under the tree, but what do you do if it gets lost or worse yet, stolen? here's nbc's tom costello. >> reporter: in ohio, jackie clark realized it as soon as she got to the family van. she and her husband had made a big mistake. >> i just could have kicked myself, really, for leaving it in plain sight, because honestly, i knew better. i know better than to do that. >> reporter: she left her iphone loaded with personal and professional information out in plain sight. now it was gone, along with her husband's brand new kindle book reader, $800 in high-tech gadgets. >> all of my contacts in there for my business, all of my clients, all of their phone numbers and a lot of their addresses were in there. >> reporter: while at&t was able to cut off jackie's cell service, there was no way to remotely scrub her private information, much less track her iphone or kindle. and jackie is hardly alone. so far this year, roughly 33,000 gps devices have been lost or stolen, 39,000 cameras, nearly 107,000 cell phones and 128,000 laptops. steve greenberg is the author of "gadget nation." >> laptops are the number one item stolen every year, from college campuses and especially from airports. 12,000 laptops are lost or stolen every week at u.s. airports. >> reporter: and this is important. while most providers offer programs that remotely scrub and even track a wireless device, you have to pay for that service in advance. meanwhile, a thief only has to replace the phone's sim card to use your phone again, but that's not the way it works in britain, where the government has set up a national hotline for stolen phones. >> the actual use of the same one will go straight away and the use of the phone will be disabled within 24 to 48 hours. >> reporter: now, new york congressman anthony weiner wants to create the same system here. >> i think if we have one national database that says if a phone is stolen, it can't be reactivated, it will go a long way to stoppinghese devices from being stolen and resold. >> and now back to meredith. >> matt, thanks. and now to a seasonal tale for all you scrooges out there who aren't exactly feeling the magic of christmas. nbc's keith miller and dawna friesen set out to discover how much of our modern holiday we owed the man who wrote "a christmas carol." >> it's almost christmas, but not everyone, it seems, is full of the christmas spirit. dickens' "a christmas carol" is about a grumpy old man called scrooge. >> bah humbug! >> reporter: who is visited by three ghosts on christmas eve. >> expect us tomorrow when the bell tolls one. >> reporter:nd gets a second chance to live a good life. >> bah humbug! all this christmas spirit, festive cheer, it may be okay for some people, but for me, the sooner it's over, the better. >> reporter: the winter dickens wrote "a christmas carol," he had a terrible cold. ♪ we wish you a merry christmas ♪ >> reporter: and it was while out walking through london that he found inspiration in all the things he saw. ♪ it's beginning to look a lot like christmas ♪ >> reporter: dickens knew its streets, its people and its markets, like this one in the heart of modern london. >> the market's always been a meetg place, and dickens would have come here to meet his friends for a drink in one of the taverns. >> this is traditional hot wine. >> it's got cinnamon and apples. >> hot red win and orange juice. >> do people order this a lot around this time of year? >> yeah, it's really popular around christmastime. >> i'm feeling better already, yeah. merry christmas. >> so, he certainly knew the market. in fact, we have a letter of his where he wrote to somebody "this morning i took mrs. dickens to the market." >> appears to be the first of the traditional lunches. everybody eating goose in this country. >> and are geese still popular today? >> more so. they've come back into fashion again. >> what would people have for sweets? what would be the dessert? >> christmas pudding with brandy. and then we have the mince pies. >> do you mind if i try one? >> of course, please do. this is a sweet mince. >> i thought it was a meat -- when you say mince pie, i'm thinking mince meat or something. >> sweet mince meat with dried fruits. >> reporter: and it wasn't just christmas pudding and christmas lunch that dickens helped make popular again. giving presents became all the rage. >> and christmas trees. >> reporter: and the snowy christmas card vision of england may have been dickens' idea, too, inspired by memories of frost fairs when londoners skated on the frozen river. and in dickens' day, you could mail a letter anywhere for a penny. >> it costs a lot more than that these days. but hey, it's christmas. ♪ we wish you a merry christmas ♪ >> reporter: dickens' idea of kindness and generosity to others came to define the spirit of christmas today. a spirit that can warm any human heart. >> oh, keith, you old scrooge, merry christmas. >> and merry christmas to you. and merry christmas to all of you. for "today," keith miller -- >> reporter: and dawna friesen, nbc news, london. >> interestingly, it was actually an american writer, washington irving, who first inspired dickens to write how he did about christmas. and guys, check this out. keith and dawna gave us this little basket with treats in there. >> oh, that's nice. >> ann, you want to open the envelope? >> sure. >> see what it says. >> it says "today" team, new york, usa. >> that's the letter he was mailing. >> that's right. here we go. aww, it has a little puppy on the cover. it says "hey, guys, here's a little christmas cheer, wishing you a fun-filled christmas. ve a merry, merry christmas, love keith." >> right back at you, keith. >> yeah, that's nice. >> "a christmas carol" was published in 1870. it hasn't been out of print since. >> absolutely. >> sorry. >> i was like keith. i thought minced pies have a meat filling, but it's raisins and fruits -- >> well, it can be savory -- >> but also christmasy spices. >> and also -- >> look how cute this is. oh, charles dickens museum of "a christmas carol." >> it's the little book. how nice. >> very sweet. >> wow, this is like bob costas size. >> where's the christmas spirit? >> no, there isn't any. it's got little pictures in it. how cute is that? >> adorable. >> very sweet. >> by the way, did we mention that the victorian also gave us christmas cards? >> he said that in the piece, didn't he? >> all right. >> and i love that about the christmas holiday because in today's world, people communicate with e-mail, but at christmas, people stop and write notes and cards and things like that. it's little bit of a throwback, but it makes you feel more personal -- >> like the stocking caps, too. >> the one that scrooge wore. >> they say they're making a comeback. >> they say to keep your head warm. >> put that on. >> you need one, too. >> not for elves. >> can i have one? >> here, there's a pink one for you, a blue one for you. here, you want the stripe or the blue? >> i'm open-minded, so however you want to go. >> yeah. >> a little bit like lawrence of arabia there, but that's okay. >> ann, yours is actually very cute. >> oh, thanks, yeah. >> ann has a hat head, no question. >> mine's falling into my eyes. still ahead on this christmas morning, women -- >> that's not how you're supposed to wear it, actually. >> no! >> still ahead, women and faith. how to keep the meaning of this day alive throughout the whole airborne guy: i first started taking airborne to help support my immune system when i travelled. but then i realized... there are so many other times my immune system could use help. sfx: [waaaaaahhh!] wife: guess who's teething? 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>> yeah. >> yeah. >> well, in the late night, jimmy fallon is challenging us to a competition to find out how well we know the lyrics to some pretty well-known songs. he's going to put us to the test in a little bit. >> is it a competition? >> well, yeah. >> it is a competition? >> in the spirit of the holida >> this is not going to turn out well. >> slug fest. >> already. >> first, let's head to the news desk where jenna wolfe is standing by with the top stories. good morning to you again. >> good morning to you again, meredith. the vatican says it may review security procedures after pope benedict was attacked at christmas eve mass last night. a woman lunged at benedict, knocking him to the floor. she's described as mentally unstable. the pope was not hurt and was able to deliver his traditional christmas message this morning. the taliban released video this morning of missing soldier bowe bergdahl. military officials confirm it isbeis bergdahl and he appears in good condition. he was captured by the taliban in june. and 20 vehicles piled up on an oklahoma interstate, shutting it down thursday. at one point, snow was falling at ten inche good morning. i'm here on this christmas morning. the weather does not take a holiday so i'm here. we're here to keep you informed. we want you to stay safe because we do have a chance for some icing off to our west here this morning as we look at the radar now. we do see a lot of moisture streaming in from the south into the central appalachians all the way into the ohio valley. now the closer view of our radar is showing a little bit of precipitation. it's trying to reach the ground just south of washington. most of this is evaporating. out in the shenandoah valley and into the potomac highlands of west virginia this may be a bit of snow and sleet but more than likely this is some light, freezing rain that is starting to accumulate on surfaces out in the western part of the shenandoah valley and the potomac highlands of west virginia where temperatures are below freezing. in fact, we're just a little above freezing here in washington but this zone here is still locked in with some very cold air, so as we get rain falling into this, it will freeze on surfaces and that will certainly cause some icing problems. so a trace maybe for our western and northern suburbs under this winter weather advisory but farther to the west up to maybe a quarter inch of ice by the time this changes all over to rain by later on this afternoon. then 3:00 into midnight tonight and later perhaps we have some flooding possible around the region, some -- perhaps an inch to 1.5 inch totals possible by the time this tapers off on saturday. could have a little flooding. drying out on sunday. maybe some flurries on monday. we now rejoin the "today" show in progress. the women who belong to lakewood church. some say this ministry couldn't exist without your influence. how do you react to that? >> i hope i'm bringing something of value to the table. i believe that i am because i believe as women, we want to identify with women who are doing things, who are making a difference, who feel like they have purpose in their life. >> reporter: a mother of two, osteen leads the women's ministry. and like her husband, she's an author. a life in the spotlight, one she says isn't perfect but hopes will inspire others. >> i just really believe that women need to realize that as soon as they begin to see themselves as valuable, then they are what they see themselves as. >> i'm going to work the word of god. >> reporter: there's also a female face at the forefront of atlanta's world-changers church. taffi dollar is a mother of five and pastor of the church, sharing the pulpit with husband creflo. >> both spouses are out there working, and many times even as a woman comes home, she's still, you know, having to take on the next role with the family, with cooking and homework. >> reporter: beyond the church, her ministry extends to the streets. >> to have a woman of god like pastor taffi dollar to input in your life, the ministry have shown me really who i am. >> reporter: a former prostitute, smith says taffi helps her to change her life. >> i think that's what most women deal with on a regular basis, you know? am i being effective at work to really make a difference without sacrificing who i am and the needs of my family. >> reporter: taffi dollar and victoria osteen, women of faith helping others find theirs. for "today," janet shamlian, nbc news, houston. >> reverend susan johnson cook is the senior pastor at the bronx christian fellowship church, creator of wisdom women worldwide and author of "moving up." rabbi angela bookdal is a senior pastor and is on the board of the multiracial jewish here in manhattan. this is a holiday not about cards and gifts and eating and evything like that this is a spiritual holiday, and i think that gets lost in our lives sometimes. >> very much so. for us, holidays are holy days, and it's about mind, body and spirit. so much of the world and time focuses on the mind and body, but this is a time to connect with your spirit, and unless you're all free flowing, you're out of balance. >> i think a lot of people, they work so hard, rabbi, to get to the holidays and get through the holidays -- >> that's right. >> and prepare and be perfect and entertain. >> you feel it especially as a working mom, because you not only are doing all the holidays, but you're buying the presents, you're cooking the food. my husband, i'm very happy if he provides a present for me. i'm still doing all the rest of it. so, we lose sight of the gratitude and creating the family memory, which is really what the holiday's about. >> i was driving through my neighborhood the other day, and on someone's lawn was a sign i've seen a thousand times, but it stops me every time it says "let's keep christ in christmas." >> very much so. this is the holiest day of the year. this is the greatest gift of the world that transformed the world, that got bells ringing, children singing, but it changed lives. and for us, we have to look at what the change is that's necessary for us. so, today we celebrate a gift to the world. >> how do you, though, deal, rabbi, with people who are so busy and stressed out, and how do you get them to find the right balance and at least prioritize correctly at this time of the year? >> i think we rind them that this holiday is really about a miracle of taking something that is the holiday of hanukkah is taking something so small and wasn't supposed to last, and it lasts much longer because there's a power in that light and we are to take that light and shine it. that is what publicizing the miracle is all about for hanukkah. >> and i am not going to confession or lying down on the couch for analysis, but i will tell you that oftentimes, i get into early january and the holiday's over and i feel guilty. i feel guilty that it went by in such a whirlwind and i didn't stop to get the real meaning of it. >> but that's the greatest time to start again. creation of new beginnings, beginning of the year. tap back into that spirit. start your year with a spiritual focus and the rest will fall into line. >> that's exactly what i was going to talk about. we shouldn't only be focusing on the spiritual and religious, and there is a difference. >> there is. >> at this time of the year. it is a good thing to be remembering all year long. >> absolutely. it's something that our faith can remind us of what we are to be most grateful for all the time, as we tap into even just in our regular prayer service is a reminder of our daily gratitude, for the everyday miracles of waking up and being with people we love every day. >> the reality is we live in a modern, busy world. how are synagogues and how are churches adapting? how are they starting to understand the fact that people may not have the amount of time to dedicate to religion and spirituality that they once did? >> we do a service half hour at wall street, wall street wednesday, in the middle of the day in the middle of the week, 300 people at lunchtime. we respect the tradition -- >> not on the blackberrys? >> they can't be, because they know they need something stronger to go back to the jobs they face. they take a half hour, we respect their time. they're out of there. >> and holiness is not just in a sanctuary or church space, but holiness can be at your dinner table, taking a moment to be grateful with your family. it could be in the way you interact with someone at work. your spiritual life is present in your everyday actions. it's not just in a sacred space. >> i feel better already. >> you feel better? >> i do. it worked. happy holidays. >> thank you. >> thank you. happy holidays. >> thank you very much. and still ahead, we'll talk to two-time oscar winner daniel day-lewis about his starring role in the new film "nine." >>but up next, the special group bringing christmas cheer to our u.s. troops serving overseas and their families. (announcer) they've been tested, built and driven like no other. and now they're being offered like no other. come to the winter event and get an exceptional offer on the mercedes-benz of your dreams. it's our way of showing a little holiday spirit. hurry before the offer ends january 4th. practicing. practicing what? writing my name. why are you writing your name so much? because grandpa said that our name goes on everything we make. (announcer) tim and richard smucker grew up knowing that putting your name on every jar was a guarantee of quality. what are you doing, richard? i'm practicing too! that's a good idea. 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(woman) ask your rheumatologist about simponi.™ just one dose, once a month. what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! [ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. and get 50% off christmas items. ♪ the weather outside is frightful ♪ ♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪ announcer: nothing melts away the cold like a delicious, hot bowl of campbell's chicken noodle soup. ♪ let it snow, let it snow ♪ tough call. well, during the volkswagen sign then drive event, you can get a jetta, tiguan, or award-winning cc for practically just your signature. and volkswagen even covers scheduled maintenance at no cost. it can't be that easy. [ engine revs ] [ tires screech ] [ seat humming ] [ engine revs ] [ seat humming ] [ seat humming ] [ pen scratches ] that was pretty easy. [ male announcer ] sign then drive is back. hurry in and get legendary volkswagen value for practically just your signature. ♪ we're back now on this christmas morning. as al and i saw firsthand earlier this month, afghanistan can be a beautiful but also very dangerous ple. there's some good news, though, from there. happy children who are succeeding, thanks to the efforts of a very strong woman who is defying the odds. here's nbc's brian williams. >> oh, you want me to put on your glasses and you're going to put on my glasses. how do we look? >> reporter: a perfectly ordinary moment involving little girl with glasses who is anything but perfectly ordinary. she lives in this orphanage in kabul. 67 girls and a handful of boys, and every child here came from tragedy. otherwise, they wouldn't be here. most of them have lost parents to war, 30 years of it, attacks by the taliban, even u.s. bombing after 9/11. but there's never been a happier place that rose out of so much tragedy. >> they come from different backgrounds. mostly, of course, very sad backgrounds. >> reporter: andisha faried is the guiding force behind this bright and happy place and these happy faces. she's an afghan. she grew up a refugee displaced and stroungeing, and she has vowed to make life better for these kids. this is your life's work. >> sure. especially for our generation, we're born in war, we've grown up in war and w may die in war, but we really -- i really want to do something. if we say, okay, we are going through a very tough situation and we fed up. we give up. we shouldn't give up. >> reporter: today we also met farzana, who has grown to love living here, and it shows. i asked about her parents and she said her mother was sick, and with the first appearance of a tear, our chat had to come to an end. so, this is your home now. >> yes, yeah. >> okay. >> it's my home. >> reporter: fridays are holidays in afghanistan. that means a big meal, and everybody pitches in as they do in keeping the place clean and ordinary. the kids don't realize the irony in the title of today's english language movie, "home alone." many of them came here alone, but they're home now. every child here goes to school, but it's in a tough neighborhood in a changing country, and andesha constantly worries about their security, kidnapping and attacks. >> when i see all these girls, all the boys, all the small children, when i see their happy faces, i see a future in them and a bright future, and i am sure i'm doing a difference for afghan people. >> there we go. >> reporter: life is so good in this happy little enclave, and the children seem to be doing so well, that while it may sound like a line from one of the movies they watch, it's true that the toughest part is saying good-bye. >> all of the children at t orphanage have financial sponsors, but the director says the economic crisis is certainly hurting their sponsorships. to find out how you can help, head to our website, todayshow.com. and still ahead, a fun game on this christmas morning. how well do you know the lics to your favorite christmas song? >> late-night's jimmy fallon puts us all to the test after your local news and weather. i've been a long-time smoker. i'm a guy who had given up quitting. what caused me to be interested was, chantix is not a nicotine product and that intrigued me. the doctor said while you're taking it you can continue to smoke during the first week. 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(announcer) herb quit smoking with chantix and support. talk to your doctor about chantix and a support plan that's right for you. some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice agitation, hostility, depression or changes in behavior, thinking or mood that are not typical for you, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, stop taking chantix and call your doctor right away. talk to your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems, which can get worse while taking chantix. some people can have allergic or serious skin reactions to chantix, some of which can be life threatening. if you notice swelling of face, mouth, throat or a rash stop taking chantix and see your doctor right away. tell your doctor which medicines you are taking as they may work differently when you quit smoking. chantix dosing may be different if you have kidney problems. the most common side effect is nausea. patients also reported trouble sleeping and vivid, unusual or strange dreams. until you know how chantix may affect you, use caution when driving or operating machinery. chantix should not be taken with other quit smoking products. the urges weren't like they used to be, and that help me quit. (announcer) talk to your doctor to find out if prescription chantix is right for you. what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! [ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. and get 50% off christmas items. ♪ the weather outside is frightful ♪ ♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪ announcer: nothing melts away the cold like a delicious, hot bowl of campbell's chicken noodle soup. ♪ let it sno let it snow ♪ it's your turn now at sears. saturday doorbusters 7am. save $900 off this nordictrack ts terrain simulator. get this 32" element lcd, just $299.99. and crb jeans for the family are a low $9.99. hurry, it's a saturday sale only. storewide doorbusters start at 7am. sears. life. well spent. ♪ ♪ ding, dong, lu, lu, lu ♪ lu, lu, lu, lu ♪ ding, dong, ding, dong ♪ ♪ sweet silver bells all seem to say throw cares away, christmas year, bring christmas cheer to the young and old ♪ ♪ ♪ wants you to hear words of good cheer from evewhere filling the air, oh how they found grazing the sound ♪ ♪ telling the tale, gayly they bring while people sing songs of good cheer, christmas is here ♪ ♪ merry, merry, merry, merry chstmas ♪ ♪ ding, dong, ding, dong ♪ sweet silver bells all seem to say throw cares away ♪ ♪hristmas is here bringing a cheer to young and old, meek and the bold ♪ ♪ ding, dong, dong, that is the song smukz. it's 8:00 on this christmas morning, the 25th day of december 2009. you're enjoying the singing talents of the a capella group straight road chaser and their rendition of "carol of the bells." that's a beautiful sound. inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer along with meredith vieira, al roker and ann curry. merry christmas to all of you. we've got a present to share with everyone from our friends at jibjab. are you ready for this? they ask you to elf yourself. let me show you what we mean. ♪ ♪ >> i think i pulled a hip. >> you start out laughing, then -- >> it becomes a little irstat g irstating. >> anyway. meanwhile, ahead this half hour, one of hollywood's most acclaimed actors, daniel day-lewis. he's won two oscars. could be nominated for another one in "nine," which opens in theaters today. i saw it, it's fantastic. we'll catch up with him in a moment. >> he's so cool. also coming up this morning, a lot of children ask for toys, maybe a puppy for christmas, but we're going to meet a girl who asked santa for a new kidney and her dream has been answered. her heart-warming story is coming up. >> that's sweet. then later on, the four of us are going to square off in a christmas-themed battle. "late night's" jimmy fallon is here to quiz us on the lyrics to all those holiday songs we have been listening to on and on and on for the past month or so. >> and we've been listening. have we been hearing? >> i hear it's the girls against the boys. >> tt's always fun. first, let's get a check of the top stories from jenna wolfe. >> yeah, fallon's been practicing those questions for like an hour now. heavy snow and blizzard conditions are still crippling travel aoss the midwest. at least 18 deaths are blamed on icy roads. weather channel meteorologist mike seidel is in maple grove, minnesota. mike, what's going on there? >> reporter: well, as you can see, it's a white christmas. it's snowing here. we've had about ten inches so far, jenna. another five to eight on the way today, but the city has been shut down, oklahoma city, take you there yesterday, an all-time snowstorm record of 14.1 inches. look at this. people just stuck. they had to just leave their cars and hike to safety. cars band bandoned everywhere. the city is shut down. the snow accompanied by 60-mile-an-hour wind gusts. this morning, dallas waking up to three inches of snow. meanwhile, jenna, back through the plains, more blizzard warnings and snow that will not wrap up until some time tomorrow afternoon. back to you. >> mike seidel, mike, thank you. with a five-year custody fight behind him, american david goldman said he's anxious just to rekindle his relationship with his son 9-year-old sean. they are back in the u.s. from o de janeiro where sean had been living with his stepfather. a correction this morning. last week when describing the area where three american hikers wandered into iran, we displayed a map that said kurdistan. while there is a political region in iraq called kurdistan, the map contained pieces of turkey and syria and we regret the error. now, a good morning, we have light freezing rain perhaps in our forecast for christmas day, to the west and north of washington. on the radar, we are seeing precipitation moves into the mid-atlantic state, a lot of rain in the carolinas at this time. the local radar is showing perhaps a few sprinkles of light freezing rain in montgomery county and the district of columbia. in the panel, of the shannen doa valley. the temperatures are all below freezing west and north of washington, in washington, temperatures are above freezing. this winter weather advisory, these counties in blue, and points west, for the threat of icing, a trace around the suburb, and farther west, up to a quarter of an inch of icing, shenendoaha valley, we do have a flood watch in effect for the entire metro area, northern virginia and maryland, into tonight, with one, two inches of rain, combined with the snow melt, we could have flooding problems into tomorrow morning. any rain activity should be ending by mid day, saturday. we rejoin the "today" show in progress. what you were thinking taking on this part, but first, merry christmas. >> and to you, too. >> and congratulations on the golden globe nomination. >> thank you. >> and i understand marion cotillard and penelope cruz also received nominations. >> i'm so proud of them and myself. >> and for the movie, too. >> i'm so proud of all those wonderful girls, all of them. >> in terms of what were you thinking. you don't make a lot of movies. in the past ten years, only four of them. you're not a big fan of the musical genre. >> that's true. >> so, how did you end up in "nine"? >> well, rod marshall is really the only answer i can give you. he can charm the birds out of the trees. and not that i was up a tree when he found me, but -- i love the early musicals when i was growing up, the fred astair musicals. then there was a period of time when i didn't understand why people were bursting into song. and then i saw "mulon rouge" -- >> with nicole kidman. >> yes, and then "chicago," and i thought there is something to be done there, not that it occurred to me that i would ever be involved myself, but i became interested again in the form of the musical. >> every actor, it seems, that is in this film -- and you're all big names -- they've all said pretty much the same thing, that this was a scary undertaking, that when you all arrived on the set, you were nervous wrecks. what were you the most nervous about? certainly not the acting, right? >> well, i suppose the unknown. in any situation in our lives, there is something that tends to be something potentially fearful. but then again, i think most people in this line of work -- i'm sure it's the same for the girls -- that fear and intrigue and equal measure is very intoxicating blend. and it's -- fear is almost irresistible in a strange kind of way. it has a magnetic quality to it with this work, because it makes you realize that you're entering into something that you haven't previously encountered, and that's where your curiosity really comes alive. >> and you are known as a method actor. you take on these roles, you -- these characters inhabit you 100%. >> so i'm told. >> yeah. how do you prepare to be guido cantini and then how do you let go of him? >> well, i think in a way, the central aspect of -- most people have asked me about the problems he's having with the women, and yes, his private life is in shambles of his own making when you discover him, but the central conflict in his life that really interested me was, which we all encounter in a slightly different form, is the fear that as we approach the work, a creative work, that we find ourselves in a desert, that there's not a thought, not a -- the imagination has gone to sleep. >> have you experienced that yourself? >> absolutely. absolutely. and it's -- you know, that's the night -- that's our nightmare. every profession has one. that's ours. >> okay. well, that's -- >> so, to explore that within the safety of a story as opposed to having to experience it in your own life is, you know -- >> it's like working out your problems without having to deal with them directly. >> right. >> i want to tell you what some of these actresses said about you. they're all a-listers. nicole kidman said you renewed her faith in acting. marion cotillard, who plays your wife, said "he creates this desire in everyone to be at their best." you know, and i'm watching you with these women. it seems to me that you sort of are a woman's kind of guy, you know? there are guys guys and then there are women's guys. i get the feeling that you're just very comrtable in the company of women, beyond the making of a movie. >> yeah. it was always a difficult thing for me at school. i was at an educational boarding school, quite a thing in england, and i had close friends of both sexes, and the demands would be entirely different. i mean, the guys tended to kind of hang out in gangs -- i mean, not in the violent sense, but, you know, in groups. we'd kind of roam around together and get up to mischief, but i was also -- i had a lot of very close girlfriends as well, and maybe partly because i grew up, my mother and sister were both very strong characters, big influences in my life. so, maybe that gave me a foundation of some kind. >> and now you've got three boys. >> yes. >> married, three boys. any holiday traditions this christmas? >> there's a couple of traditions which i've really sort of inherited from my father. one of them is to read beatrice potter's "the tailor of gloucester." i don't know if you know that story. it's a really beautiful christmas story. we read that on christmas eve. and there's a poem that my father wrote called "the christmas tree," and i like -- >> that he wrote? is it a long poem or a short poem? >> it's -- >> i'm wondering if you could give us a few lines. >> it's a medium-sized poem. >> could you give us a few lines that resonate with you? >> "put out the lights now, look at the tree, the rough tree dazzled in oriole plumes of flame," that's just the beginning. but i won't go on. >> i can see the apple didn't fall far from the tree. daniel day-lewis, such a pleasure to have you here for christmas. >> thanks for having me, thank you. >> congratulations. >> happy christmas, everyone. >> thank you, to you as well. wonderful movie. "nine" opens in theaters nationwide today. it's a great way to spend your christmas. just ahead, matt, ann, al and i do singing of our own -- oh, boy -- in a game of "finish that christmas song." now i'm panicked. first, this is "today" on nbc. what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! [ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. and get 50% off christmas items. ♪ the weather outside is frightful ♪ ♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪ announcer: nothing melts away the cold like a delicious, hot bowl of campbell's chicken noodle soup. ♪ let it snow, let it snow ♪ - is she awake? - just fell asleep. why are you up? it's 2:00 a.m. - it's not just 2:00 a.m. it's 2:00 a.m. christmas morning. it's our first christmas as a family. i couldn't wait. male announcer: levian jewelry, featuring levian chocolate diamonds. levian: one more reason kay is the number one jewelry store in america. - you think she'll remember this christmas? - i know i will. by now, most of us have probably heard every version of every christmas song ever recorded, butow well do you really know the lyrics? >> this morning, we're putting ourselves to the test. jimmy fallon, host of "late night with jimmy fallo -- [ cheers and applause ] >> jimmy! >> bravo! >> thank you very much. >> this is how it's going to work. jimmy's going to play a few bars of the music, then it will stop, then we have to buzz in and finish the lyric. jimmy fallon, take it away! >> here we go, you guys. here's song number one. wait for the song to finish and then buzz right in. first person with the answer gets it correct. >> i just said that, jimmy. >> okay. >> did we already clap for me? >> yes. >> very good. here's the first -- thank you very much. [ cheers and applause ] >> song number one. here we go. ♪ ♪ jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock, jingle bell and jingles ring ♪ >> stop it! >> wait. >> i would say the guys got that one. >> i don't know about that. >> we would decline if -- >> no, you guys got it, that's fine. ♪ rolling and bowling with rented shoes ♪ >> jingle box square! >> that's it, rolling and bowling in jingle box square is not right. >> so, we automatically get the points. >> no, you have to get the song. >> no, no -- >> the rules here -- >> what do the rules say, jimmy? >> the rules say girls get the point on that one. >> yeah! >> the answer is "dancers snowing and blowing up bushels of fun." >> oh, yeah, that's right. >> now the jingle hop has begun. song number two, you'll all recognize this classic tune -- >> that's right. ♪ rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose ♪ ♪ and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows ♪ >> go! ♪ all of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names, they never let poor rudolph join in any reindeer games ♪ >> we have a tied game right now, ladies and gentlemen! a tied game. >> all right. >> boys versus girls, tied 1-1. here's song number three. ♪ deck the halls with bows of holly, fa, la, la, la, la, 'tis the season to be jolly, fa, la, la, la, la ♪ [ buzzer ] >> no, i'm not done! >> i believe they buzzed in early, mr. fallon, and that to me would be disqualifying. >> oh. >> no, you know what? that didn't count because we're still working out the kinks. gis, you've got the chance ♪ troll the ancient yuletide carols, fa, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪ >> that's right. >> that's good. >> is that right? >> that's right because -- >> i just always said troll and said that can't be a troll. >> that's what it is. >> okay. >> it's 2-1, song number four. here we go. ♪ i don't want a lot for christmas, there is just one thing i need ♪ >> we're in trouble, pal. >> trouble -- >> go. ♪ underneath the christmas tree ♪ >> i don't know the rest! ♪ troll, troll, troll underneath the christmas tree ♪ >> no, that's the next verse. this one is "i don't care about the presents underneath the christmas tree." >> can we get a point? >> you get a point. it's a tied game again. >> we didn't get it. >> very good. >> here we go. >> mariah carey. >> tied game. >> here we go, tied game, song numb five goes like this. ♪ frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul ♪ [ buzzer ] ♪ with a corn cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal ♪ >> that was fantastic, but both ann and al were singing it. ann just had to sing with him. very nice. can you do impressions of people? song number six right now, here we go. song number six. here we go, everybody. ♪ here comes santa claus, here comes santa claus, right down santa claus lane ♪ >> go! [ buzzer ] girls ♪ mr. santa claus with a troll >> well, it's the boys! it's "vixen and blitzen and all his reindeer pulling on the reins." congratulations. >> do they get a prize? >> it's just a swelling pride they get. it really is. >> ladies and gentlemen, jimmy fallon! >> oh, thank you so much. congratulations. >> of course, you can catch "late night with jimmy fallon" week nights 12:35, 11:35 central on nbc. >> we'll be right back. for the worst allergies, i want a product with the best decongestant. my choice is clear: claritin-d. (announcer) nothing works stronger, faster, or longer to relieve your worst allergy symptoms, including congestion, without drowsiness. get claritin-d at the pharmacy counter. live claritin clear. ♪ the weather outside is frightful ♪ ♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪ nouncer: nothing melts away the cold like a delicious, hot bowl of campbell's chicken noodle soup. ♪ let it snow, let it snow ♪ 'tis the chevy red tag event. ♪ now's the time to get a chevy♪ and nobody has more consumer's digest best buys than chevy. ♪ more best buys, more best buys, nobody has more.♪ not toyota. not honda. not anyone. ♪ not anyone! not anyone! not anyone! not anyone! not!♪ ah...warms the cockles of your heart. now during the chevy red tag event, get 0 percent apr for 72 months on most '09 mods. see red and save green. now at your local chevy dealer. now to a heart-warming story on this christmas morning. it's about a little girl's wish for a organ transplant, the family friend who stepped forward to donate and the relationship that grew even str stronger as a result. ron mott has the story. >> you feel good now? >> yeah, i feel better. >> i'm glad. >> reporter: it doesn't get any more personal for sheryl thomas or for 8-year-old quinn roberts. >> um, kidney and a hannah montana game. >> reporter: well, at least the kidney got top billing. >> santa, i will be good. >> reporter: last year, quinn wrote a letter to santa. i did not get a kidney. putting the unusual request on her list, taking her mom by surprise. >> it was really charming and heartbreaking. because she did it at school. i didn't know about it. it was really an example of how much kids take in. >> reporter: quinn and big brother gage both suffer from polycystic disease, pkd, where cysts form on the organs. there is no cure, though transplants and diagnosis are important treatments. so, when santa didn't come through for quinn -- >> well, sure, why not? >> reporter: family friend sheryl thomas -- making good on a decision she says was made long before last month's surgery. >> i'm a mother. to see your friend go through what the roberts had to go through when they found out about their children. to me, there was no other response if i could help in any way. >> sleep well, sweet pea. >> reporter: when that help finally arrived, emotions gripped quinn's parents. as healthy kidney was wheeled down a long, narrow hallway toward their daughter. within just a few hours here at children's health care of atlanta, sheryl thomas was minus a kidney, quinn roberts was the new owner, transferring the power of life, creating an inseparable bond. >> is there something holding it down? >> yeah, tape. >> reporter: a bond both families say is rooted in their faith. >> so much of what we teach and preach is about that, is about giving life and making life more abundant. ♪ happy birthday to you >> all right, ready? >> they are an extended part of our family, and they will be with us forever and we love them and they love us. and you know, we've got many special occasions to celebrate in the years ahead. >> a celebration of love and life filtered through one kidney. for "today," ron mott, nbc news, atlanta. >> and we need to give a special thanks to the pkd foundation, which raises money for research and provides information to people suffering from polycystic kidney mauck ♪ ♪ little tin toys and little toy drums ♪ ♪ ♪ santa claus is coming to town, oh, yeah, oh, santa claus is coming to town ♪ ♪ he sees you when you're sleepi sleeping, he knows when you're awake ♪ ♪ he knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake ♪ ♪ oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, i'm telling you why ♪ ♪ santa claus is coming to town, santa claus is coming to town, whoa, whoa ♪ ♪ santa claus is coming to town ♪ ♪ he's making a list, he's checking it twice, he's gonna find out who's naughty or nice ♪ ♪ santa claus is coming to town, santa claus is coming to town, santa claus is coming to town ♪ ♪ we are back now at 8:30 on this christmas morning, friday, the 25th of december 2009. and you've been listening to more delightful holiday music from the a capella group straight no chaser. they're going to treat us to another christmas favorite in a bit. i'm meredith vieira along with matt lauer, al roker and ann curry, wishing all of you a very merry christmas. >> and we want to share some fun facts about christmas traditions right here around rockefeller plaza. we all know that baby right there. that is the rock center christmas tree. this year's norway spruce comes from connecticut, 76 feet high, weighs more than 10 tons, adorned with 30,000 l.e.d. lights. and of course, the topper, a 25-crystal swarovski star. >> and that tree overlooks the channel gardens promenade. we show that sometimes on this broadcast. that actually got its name because it's flanked by the british empire building on the north and the building on the south just as the english channel separates england and france. >> and a total of 12 eight-foot sculptures made of aluminum and brass wire were sculptured and first made their appearance in 1954 and have been a christmas tradition ever since. >> they are so pretty. i love it when they first appear there. meanwhile, ahead this half hour, we'll get your holiday off to a tasty start. >> that's right. the scotto family here to whip up a tasty brunch, including french toast with something i dot think any of us have ever had on french toast. >> no. >> it's little bit different. >> that's right. plus, all the giving and receiving, the holidays are a perfect time to teach your young ones about money. we're going to get into that in just a little bit. first, let's head over to the news desk, where jenna wolfe has taken over on this christmas morning. good morning. >> hey, jenna. >> hey, that's one way of putting it. pope benedict is doing well this morning and delivered his christmas message to thousands at the vatican after a stunning christmas eve attack. during his traditional mass last night, a woman described as mentally unstable, lunged over a crowd, pug the pontiff down as security tackled her to the ground. vatican police say the unarmed woman tried the same thing last year. the taliban released video this morning of missing soldier bowe bergdahl. military officials confirmed to nbc news it is bergdahl, but some of the video appears to have been filmed months ago. he was captured by the taliban in june. police in pakistan are pursuing terrorism charges against five young americans arrested there this month. the men from the washington, d.c., area were accused of traveling overseas to fight u.s. troops in afghanistan. and the faa says it will seek the maximum, $11,000 in a fine against richard heene for the balloon hoax. heene and his wife were sentenced to jail time on wednesday for falsely reporting that their son was aboard a runaway balloon. christmas carols by candlelight for american troops in baghdad. they made the best of a holiday far from home with prayers for their families and for their fellow soldiers. . > and now for a check of good morning, i am meteorogist tom kierein. we have a weather advisory west of interstate 95 until 10:00, 3:00 this afternoon farther west. the regiol radar is showing moisture, most is not reaching the ground in virginia and maryland it is in the panhandle, and parts of the northern shenandoah valley. whatever rain is falling into this is icing up at this hour. our temperatures are above freezing and will stay above freezing for the rest of the day. it it does ice in from shenandoah west. a trace perhaps of light icing in the nearby suburbs, quarter of an inch possible in the shenandoah valley. moderate to heavy rain coming in tonight. it may cause in addition to snow melt, some flooding. all the counties in green under a flood watch, 3:00 this afternoon into late this evening. any rain should taper off by mid day saturday. a mild day on sunday, highs in the 40s. flurries on monday, should be clear and cold. returning to it "today" show in progress. aw the film. terrific job. you play scientist grace augustine, and you sort of head up the avatar program in this fictional world of pandora. this is the first time in more than 20 years that you have collaborated with james cameron, the director >> that's right. >> "aliens" was the last time. what did they have to say to you to get you to take on this role? >> he had to say, "hello, it's jim cameron, would you?" >> basically. >> right. actually, you know, the script was so amazing, and frankly, if you offered me the chance to be 10 feet tall, blue with ears and a tail, i'm yours. >> you're there for it. >> absolutely. >> what was it about the script and grace that drew you to her? >> well, james is such an amazing storyteller. you know, however amazingly visionary he is and technologically brilliant, it all rests on the story and his great characters, pticularly women characters. in this case, he had dreamed of seeing this movie when he was 14 and then literally spent the last 12 years developing the script and developing the technology, which is a breakthrough way of doing performance captures. so, the characters you see who don't look really anything like humans are absolutely based on all the nuances of the actors' work. >> but so much of this film you're working without even a set. is that hard for you? >>ou know, he had this other magical camera, called a virtual camera that he invented, where you could look in the lens and see your avatar in the world of pandora. and so, the rest of it, you know, he just made sure that it was sort of like make believe, you know. we were all in little suits with tails with cameras here and there were cameras all above us and around us, but basically, he would show us sort of pictures and the basics and then we'd just pretend it was all -- he kept saying "this is the big picture, a lot of special effects, but it's all about what's happening between all the actors, what's happening in the relationships, and i think that really comes through when you're experiencing the movie. >> you were so connected to your character in "aliens." were you at all concerned that people were going to look at grace augustine and make comparisons? did you think about that? >> i didn't really worry about that. grace is a driven, passionate scientist who doesn't suffer fool. she's a brill botanist who's devoted -- she's actually leading a double life. her real allegiance is with the na'vi people, and she has a great relationship with sam worthington where they sort of hate at first sight, then they come to love each other. so, the stories are so utterly different. i love the science fiction fan base. they're so smt, they're so passionate, they're so into it. i thought -- i was pretty sure they could keep us separate. >> yeah. you've also said about science fiction that anything is possible in science fiction, especially for women. >> well, i think that's true. you know, i mean, jim says that -- jim cameronays that science fiction is the exploration of what it is to be human. but in his vision, i think, because he truly does see women as so smart, powerful and feminine. he has three great women's roles in this movie, you know, niteri, so gorgeously played by zoey saldana, and the other beautifully played by michelle rodriguez. so, for women, women and girls, get out there and see this movie. it's f us. >> he says it's a chick flick, at the end of the day. next movie you're going to be working on, are you blue still or something different? >> i actually have five films coming out, four of them are comedies. i'm reading lots of things. so, i don't know. this is unique. i mean, there's -- this is a breakthrough movie in so many ways and i'm so thrilled to be a part of it. >> he's thrilled that you're a part of it as well, as are we. sigourney, thank you so much, and merry christmas to you and your family. >> merry christmas to you, too, have a great new year. >> and "avatar" is now in theaters. up next, a christmas this morning on "today's holiday kitchen," christmas brunch with the scottos, and most of the gang is here, marion, john, anthony and elena of new york's famed, and i mean famed restaurant, fresco by scotto. good morning. >> merry christmas! >> let's make brunch. we're going to start with marian. and you're starting with polenta. >> creamy polenta. that is done with an egg, with the sunny side up eggs. >> do you really make this with instant polenta? that doesn't seem like you. >> yes, we do. no, it cooks faster and it's smoother and creamier, and we just put this together, and you know, when we take it off the stove, we put a cup of cheese. that's our little secret. >> okay. >> mix it through. now, would you help me -- >> yeah, i'll hold it up and you scoop it out. >> in the greased dish. >> okay. there's a lot of this. how many would this feed? >> two. >> like 50? two? >> maybe ten. >> all right. there's a little left in there, but let's pretend we've done that now talk about the trick with the eggs. >> okay. now we smooth it over, okay? we make wells -- >> with your ladle -- >> oh, come on, ladle. >> it's a little sticky, that's okay. then you're going to actually pour an egg in there? >> yes. and then we're going to crack it in there. >> so, if i would do this -- >> look at you. >> oh, matt! >> thank you very much. said the whites fall into the polenta, right? >> let him speak. >> that's okay. >> that's what it looks like. and then you put a little bacon -- >> then you put some crisp bacon on top, and matt -- >> it looks fantastic. i want to move on because meredith always complains she doesn't have enough time. >> no, we're making a variation of french toast? >> we're making french toast. and we have some salmon. >> i don't think about that. >> how about this? >> never think about that. >> and how about avocado? >> never think about that with french toast. >> that's why we're doing it together because i'm very creative. chive. >> lovely at this point. put the other top on. all right. >> make it into a sandwich. >> now we dip it in that? >> i have an egg wash. >> i would just use my hands, okay. >> if i was doing it with al, i'd let him get his hands dirty. dipped with egg wash, i have some butter and olive oil in the pan. >> this is easy. this is easy. >> look at this. two to three minutes on each side and then i top it with sour cream and it looks like this. >> it looks like beautiful. >> nice job. >> it is gorgeous. very nice. >> wonderful talent! >> what are you doing, al? >> what are you making? >> it's christmas day. that's what it is, and you have a bunch of family members over. >> absolutely. >> don't want to fry eggs, worry about who wants sunny side, who wants this.frittata. >> wonderful. >> i shredded some prosciutto and we're going to add this to the eggs. we'll add this and whisk this. the more airy air, the better. >> it puffs up more. >> that's what you want. >> kind of like john, puffs up more. to that we're going to add more spinach. >> oh, healthy. >> green, red, eggs, all that nice colo okay? this is all going to get in. we're going to put it in until it browns on the bottom. >> right. >> once it browns on the bottom, you're going to find an oven, put it on broil, put it in for a couple minutes and that's what it is going to look like. >> you can't see the bottom, so how do you -- >> you take a little spatula -- >> what you do just to spice this up a bit, you can or don't, i like to add little crab meat on top of that. >> ooh, yeah. >> wow. >> see, that's how the skcottos spice it up. >> nicely done. >> thank you very much. >> if you want to make a breakfast your kids are going to remember christmas morning, you do pancakes. >> exactly. >> and you're going to do with t with? >> nu tella. >> simple. >> you get your pancake mix, you fold in the nuttela, and then mom's secret weapon has always been some vanilla extract. >> it's true. it's true. >> so, whether you use nutella or not, mix it up -- >> yep. comes like this. >> yep it comes exactly like this. >> and the normal way you make a pancake, in butter, of course. >> in butter. >> but then -- >> well, i just want to say one thing, wait until it bubbles, let it get nice and brown on the side, then give it a nice little flip. >> okay, and then, and then -- >> what a talent. >> what is this that you're putting on top? >> okay. maple syrup, chopped hazel nuts and walnuts. >> did you just mix it together? did you cook it or something? >> we heated it up and we put a little butter in it. >> a little butter. >> because everything tastes better with butter. >> and they're prebuttered, so easy to serve. and the kids will never forget that! >> no. >> right? >> that is great stuff. all together one time, can we say it? >> merry christmas. >> you can catch this at todayshow.com. the scottos will be back in our next hour to serve up a tasty christmas dinner. >> get out!iñ oñiñ ♪ put together ten guys with great voices and a host of classic holiday tunes song a calla and you've got straight no chaser. their new album is called "christmas cheers," and they're back to perform the song that made them an internet sensation back in 2007, "the 12 days of christmas." ♪ on the first day of christmas, my true love gave to me a partidge in a pear tree ♪ ♪ on the second day of christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves and a pa partridge in a pear tree ♪ ♪ on the third day of christmas -- on the fourth day -- fifth day of christmas, my true love gave to me ♪ ♪ five golden rings ♪ on the ninth day -- ♪ on the eighth day of christmas ♪ ♪ better not shout, you better not cry, you'd better not -- in a pear tree ♪ ♪ on the ninth -- no -- on the eighth -- on the seventh day of christmas, my true love gave to me ♪ ♪ five golden rings, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves ♪ ♪ here we come, and a partridge in a pear tree ♪ ♪ on the 11th day of christmas, my true love gave to me ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ and rudolph the red-nosed reindeer ♪ ♪ on the 12th day of christmas -- i have a little dreidle, i may it out of clay and when it's dry and ready, i shall play, oh, dreidle, dreidle, dreidle ♪ >> today's christmas. >> well, that doesn't seem fair, does it? ♪ on the 12th day of christmas, my true love gave to me, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do ♪ ♪ on the 12th day my true love gave to me 12 drummers drum imi like olympus above the serengeti ♪ ♪ 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, ba, ba, ba ♪ ♪ nine ladies dancing, they were dancing for me, eight maids a milking, they were milking just for me ♪ ♪ ba, ba, i have christmas down in africa, ba, ba, ba, do, i have christmas down in africa ♪ ♪ i had christmas down in africa, five golden rings, i had christmas down in africa ♪ ♪ i've got five golden rings >> hey, man, this ain't europe, it's africa. ♪ do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do ♪ ♪ partridge in a big pear tree, partridge in a big pear tree ♪ ♪ >> straight no chaser, thank you very much. and again, the new album is "christmas cheers." got a lot more ahead on this special christmas edition of "today," but first, your local news and a look at your local forecast. ♪ ♪ ♪ and we are back with more of "today" on this christmas morning, december 25th, 2009. another inspirational performance by the harlem quartet. that's, of course, the christmas classic "silent night." matt lauer along with al roker, ann curry and natalie morales. merry christmas to you. welcome. >> thank you! merry christmas to all you. hope you're having a wonderful holiday morning. >> coming up this hour, this half hour, in fact, talking about from learning the dierence between wants and needs to understanding the value of a gift card. why the holiday season can be an important opportunity to give your children a lesson about money. then, we've got a heart-warming story about a doctor who really cares by making sure her patients get the proper care, even though none of them have health insurance. plus, a very special performance on the rink from three-time u.s. skating champion michael weiss. but befor all that, let's head over to the news desk. ann is sitting right there. that means jenna wolfe is standing by with the headlines. jenna, good morning to you. >> good morning to you, matt. the woman who attacked pope benedict during christmas eve mass has been hospitalized for observation. ahid thousands of worshippers last night, she lunged over a barrier, knocking pope benedict to the floor while being tackled by security. vatican police say she tried the same thing last year. this morning the pope delivered his christmas day address and called on the world to abandon violence. new jersey father david goldman said he's looking forward to a new beginning with his 9-year-old son sean. the two were reunited in brazil after a five-year custody battle and are now back on american soil. david goldman says he will allow sean to see his maternal grandparents. the president is using his weekly radio address to offer christmas wishes to the nation and to urge americans to support military families during the holidays. the first family is celebrating christmas in private with no public schedule during their ten-day vacation to hawaii. president obama's native state. they arrived there on thursday, hours after the senate vote on health care reform. on this christmas day, american troops in baghdad made prayer the cornerstone of their holiday celebrations, taking time to remember their families far away. christmas is a soggy affair in one of the world's most enchanting cities. bad weather and unusually high tide flooded most of venice this week and the waters are receding slowly. flooding also severe in central and eastern arkansas. heavy downpours this week put little rock over the previous mark for annual rainfall. and a snowy c christmas wil keep many americans from being home for the holidays. drivers face treacherous conditions across much of the midwest. at least 18 deaths were blamed on slippery roads. and no, you are not seeing things. take a look at summerland key, florida. and yes, that is all snow. it's a contest by the weather channel, where one family won themselves a guaranteed white christmas. what they didn't win were jackets or anything in the long-sleeve department, apparently. let's get a check of the weather around the country now. we've got a powerful winter storm that continues to take its toll on the midwest today. we're going to see strong winds, heavy snow across much of the northern plains eastward through the great lakes region. some areas could actually see up to another foot of snow near the dakotas and minnesota as that system continues to move eastward. we're going to see some freezing good morning, around our region this morning, we have freezing rain, maybe causing light aceice accumulation and is definitely reaching the ground. but it is not quite reaching the ground. any rain falling into this will be causing icing here, especially here in the valley and points west. up to a >> it is five minutes past the hour. now back over to ann. >> jenna, thanks. this morning on "today's money," financial lessons under the tree. gift-giving has a way of bringing out ingrained attitudes and feelings about money, and that can trickle down to our children, so, here are a few messages they may be hearing. >> in my house on christmas morning, i wake up and i'm very glad because i get the presents and i know that santa came. >> sometimes the best gifts are ones that don't cost as much. >> i don't know how much they're going to spend on me, so it's kind of a guess. >> if kids know that the gifts they're getting are cheap, they're not a big fan. they want something they know costs a lot of money. >> the holiday season and spending, the message to send to kids is probably that they have to spend money in order to make people happy. >> my children don't expect a whole lot, and if i can afford what they're asking for, i'll buy it. >> i buy people what they ask for and what i can afford in this economy. >> it's the thought behind the gift that is the most important thing. >> sharon epperson is cnbc's personal finance correspondent. sharon, good morning and happy holiday to you. >> happy holidays to you, too. >> listen, it's surprising to me that you would think about talking about money during this day, a big holiday, but you say because of the economic downturn, this may be the perfect opportunity? >> this is a greatopportunity, because you're talking about a time when your children may be getting monetary gifts, and this may be a time also when there aren't as many gifts under the tree, and there's some reasons why, and they probably need to know why. you need to do it in an age-appropriate manner, but they need to understand what you're going through. >> before we talk about what to say to your kids, a lot of studies have indicated that parents don't speak to their children enough about money. why is that? >> well, t. rowe price did a study and said about 60% of parents said they should be talking to their kids more about money and more than half are concerned that they're not saying enough to make sure their kids are financially competent by the time that they're 18. they're not doing enough because they don't know what to say. they don't know where to start. >> one of the ways you say you can start is to talk about the difference between wants and needs. >> well, this is something that they're not learning in school, you know. there's no personal finance education in many states. only 34 states really have some type of requirement for this, and only 13 states require personal finance requirement for graduation. so, this is something that you have to teach at me. and wants and needs is a great place to start. start with managing their expectations. if you didn't have them prioritize their gift list for the holidays, maybe you can explain, the reason why they got some things and not others is because these are the things you thought they needed the most. >> okay. let's talk about this in a more practical way. say your daughter or son got something under the tree that's a lot less than what they wanted and they're disappointed. you say deal with those disappointments directly. give us an example how. >> well, you have to just tell them that maybe if they're older children, perhaps, you can explain, the reason why you got clothes this year and not so many video games is i know you needed them, and you know mommy lost her job or was furloughed this year and didn't have as much money coming in. this is what we got, but i have an idea. i'm going to help you figure out how to earn the money to get the other things that you wanted. this way, you're teaching them some financial rponsibility as well. >> and you can also talk to them about the value of a gift card. i think a lot of families are giving each other gift cards or money because they want to make sure that the kids have something. >> you really want to do that. you know what you want to do? show them the dollar bill, show them the $20 and say this is the value of the gift card, and if you lose this, it's just like throwing the money away. you need to make it concrete for them, because so many kids don't really understand that that gift card is actual money, and you also want to encourage them to write down what they've spent with this gift card. it's a good way to start a budget. >> so, if you're giving money, you say this may also be a chance to help them make financial decisions on their own. >> what are they going to spend, what are they goingo save, invest, donate? those are the important things to think about when you're thinking about what to do about your money, and this is a great time. if you do have enough time or enough money to get another gift, particularly for a young child, get a piggy bank, but one with the four compartments. money-savvy pig is a great piggy bank to do that. if it's an older kid, help them open a savings account. make sureou help them figure out how much to put in each pot and not all of it needs to be spent. >> and something most of us will not even think about, start a financial notebook. what do you mean by that? >> start writing down everything they got from christmas, who gave them what, what was the value, particularly talking about a gift card. this is an excellent way also to start that thank you writing process that should come after the holidays as well. you know w w gave you what gift, how much the value is. and then on the other part of the journal is going to be what you spent that money on, everything. write down everything, whether it was a pack of gum, whether it was a magazine, whether it was a new pair of jeans. this way, you're helping them see what's coming in, what is going out. it's the basics of a budget and they're starting at a young age learning how to do that. >> and doing math during the holiday. sharon epperson, thank you so much. and merry christmas once again. >> same to you. still ahead this morning, we'll find out where your "today toy drive" donations are headed and how they made their journey there. first, a doctor who really knows about giving. it's simponi,™ and taken with methotrexate, and swelling of ra with one dose a month. visit 4simponi.com to see if you qualify for a full year of cost support. simponi™ can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious and sometimes fatal events can occur, such as infections, cancer in children and adults, heart failure, nervous system disorders, liver or blood problems, and allergic reactions. before starting simponi,™ your doctor should test you for tb and assess your risk of infections, including fungal infections and hepatitis b. ask your doctor if you've been to a region where certain fungal 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(announcer) taste why maxwell house is good to the last drop. like 2009 h1n1, there are several steps you can take. wash your hands and get your flu shot. regularly disinfect surfaces to reduce the spread of germs. d perhaps the most important step of all, talk to your friends about doing the same. instead of spreading flu viruses, like 2009 h1n1, let's help spread protection. it's lash blast -- the number one mascara launch in recent history. with six million scooped up already. it's the go-to tube if you crave the biggest boldest lashes of your life. you'll only find this big brush in lash blast. it doubles the size of your lashes right before your eyes! so c'mon! join the six million and counting -- try lash blast. only from easy breezy beautiful covergirl. and, check out lash blast luxe with hints of shimmer. try all 4 shades! by any measure, you'll love them. look for bigger biscuits, cinnamon rolls and crescents from pillsbury. christmas is time for giving as well as receiving. well, this morning, the remarkable story of a doctor who gives care to her patients who don't have insurance. here's nbc's peter alexander. >> dr. lorna stuart arrives at her office each morning before sunrise, getting another start on a busy day. >> i come into work hopping up the stairs and singing. i really love this. mr. fort, good morning to you. >> reporter: within an hour, stuart begins to see the first of the day's nearly 70 patients, but what makes her phoenixville, pennsylvania, practice is unique is that the only people she treats have no health insurance. >> we have people who work three half-time jobs. nobody can give them full-time hours or benefits. we have kids right out of college. we've got divorced people, where the other partner had the benefits. >> reporter: all walks of life, all parts of society, and they all find their way here to what's called the clinic. it started seven years ago when stuart, then running a successful private practice, began noticing a disturbing trend. >> i was seeing more and more people who were delaying treatment, who wouldn't come because of no money. to see a child on a friday with a horrible tonsillitis who should have come on monday is very sad. >> reporter: so, this 62-year-old divorced mother of two did what most other doctors would consider unthinkable, she gave up her private practice, sold her house and helped to raise enough money to buy this old church rectory, transforming it into a three-story medical center. the clinic isn't free. everyone's asked to pay something, even if it's only $1. >> what contribution would you like to give? >> people take part in their own health care when they pay something. >> all right. thank you. >> when's it free, it becomes an assumption that i can have whatever i want, and people need to contribute to their own welfare. >> reporter: stuart now makes barely half of what she used to. >> do you have any health insurance? >> reporter: to keep expenses down, the clinic dependsn more than 150 voluntrs. >> any bunny rabbits in your ears? >> reporter: like dr. ned kinsley, a retired pediatrician who comes three days a week to offer his services. >> it's magical. it's like medicine used to be. when you see patients here, you see them because you want to. everybody's a volunteer. and all you're interested in is making them better or happy or see if you can solve their problems. >> reporter: and their problems are often serious. because these patients have no health insurance, they often delay getting care until it's nearly too late. denise, a 27-year-old single mother and a chronic asthmatic, was being rushed to the emergency room each week. when she lost her job and benefits, she could no longer afford the cost of her medicine, $400 a month. >> hi. >> reporter: her asthma is now under control, thanks to regular visits to the clinic and medication that it provides for free. >> it's just a life-changing experience. it's just blessing to have the clinic, the people that work here. >> reporter: without this clinic, what would happen to these patients? >> they would die, some of them. weekly, we see people with blood sugars of over 500 because they haven't been able to get their medicines or known where to go for care. weekly, we see people with blood pressures of 220 over 120. again, they've run out of their meds. they're going to have a stroke or a diabetic coma and die. >> reporter: stuart says above anything else, what she needs now is more space. the economic recession has hit hard in this part of eastern pennsylvania. the clinic is now seeing an extra 100 patients a month and expects to treat more than 11,000 this year. for this doctor, the satisfaction she gets treating those who are uninsured far outweighs any personal sacrifices she's made. >> to see a grown man weep because this is the first place anyone's giving him respect and care, to see a mom so pleased that her child hasn't had an asthmatic attack for the last six months because the child's on the right medicines, those are the things that i receive. >> reporter: one woman's vision now providing comfort and care to those who need it most. for "today," peter alexander, nbc news, phoenixville, pennsylvania. still ahead on this christmas morning, some lucky ladies will be plucked out of the crowd to get a special holiday "ambush makeover." the amazing results. but i didn't know why. my doctor diagnosed it as fibromyalgia. and en he recommended lyrica... fibromyalgia is thought to be the result of over-active nerves that cause chronic, widespread pain. lyrica is fda-approved to help relieve the unique pain of fibromyalgia. so now, i'm learning what a day is like with less pain. lyrica is not for everyone. tell your doctor about any serious allergic reaction that causes swelling or affects breathing or skin, or changes in eyesight including blurry vision or muscle pain with fever or tired feeling. lyrica may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people. some of the most common side effects of lyrica are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain and swelling of hands, legs, and feet. do not drink alcohol while taking lyrica. you should not drive or operate machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. could your pain be caused by fibromyalgia? ask your doctor about lyrica today. morning bob. 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(announcer) new scott extra soft tissue... softness done right! kyle meyerowitz, tell me your story. my problem was occasional irregularity. my commercials didn't convince you? i am definitely a skeptic. actually, my mom convinced me. she saw the commercials, she tried it out... and? and i have activia every morning for breakfast... and, what happened? activia definitely helped my occasional irregularity. activia is clinically proven to help regulate your digestive system in two weeks when eaten every day. chances are someone you trust can recommend activia. ♪ activia on the highway? or a back seat and a trunk? the five passenger, trunk-equipped chevy cobalt xfe. with an impressive 37 miles per gallon highway. may the best car win. with an impressive 37 miles per gallon highway. i'm george duran and this is the hunt's crash kitchen tour. what are we making? penne pasta with eggplant, chicken, and tomato. these tomatoes are not my favorite. this, my friends, is what i am bringing to the table. do you trust me? uh... hunt's flashsteams every tomato to keep that backyard garden fresh taste. get your hands out of there now. you're very lucky that it came out this good. isn't it time to take a fresh look at your tomatoes? this year, we've traveled to far-off lands, met some amazing people and had a lot of fun in studio 1a. do you have a favorite moment from the past year? >> the statue of liberty show was just so -- >> so amazing. >> on so many levels. >> that shot taken from the crown. look at that, the helicopter taking that shot. that feeling, we wanted every american to feel that feeling, being up there, didn't we? >> yeah, and it really was an amazing time, going from there and also ellis island. it's just a great moment. >> what about you? >> you know, i'd have to say, we always have so much fun during the halloween show that we do, but this year, we took it a step further with the whole "star wars" theme. >> come on, we've got to get going! >> of course, lucas productions helping us out with all of this, and the ewoks. i have a special fondness for ewoks, as they had a special fondness for al. >> thank you. what i like about this is now we're all doing this together as a group. i really like that. >> yeah, it's great. >> it's a lot of fun. >> looking at meredith there, she was really sweet there. because we had fun with her at lake george because we went there, you know, and we just had -- they welcomed us so warmly and showed us -- >> we had a huge crowd. >> yeah, it was enormous! it was amazing. we got to do a little paddleboating, we got to go on a big boat, go very fast, some fly fishing. didn't catch anything. we didn't actually go rafting or anything, but we did go biking. it was really fun. it reminds you of the beauty of america, to get outside, have a little fun. >> you and meredith had the ireland show, too, st. patrick's day. >> went to ireland. >> amazing. >> there we are. >> incredible places -- >> that's not the best moment. >> the two-stepper or whatever that is, the irish dance. >> "so you think you can fall down." >> a little shepherding. >> that's right. this was joe michaels' favorite moment. >> our director. >> love the hats you brought back, by the way. we have a lot more to get to, don't we? >> absolutely. we have so much more. in fact, the scottos are back. >> that's right. they'll be here to help us cook a whole christmas feast, so we'll all get a little tasting going on. just a little bit. >> but first -- >> your local news. >> and weather. what are you doing tim? practicing. practicing what? writing my name. why are you writing your name so much? because grandpa said that our name goes on everything we make. (announcer) tim and richard smucker grew up knowing that putting your name on every jar was a guarantee of quality. what are you doing, richard? i'm practicing too! that's a good idea. (announcer) for five generations, with a name like smucker's, it has to be good. so warm and fluffy. make the most out of the most important meal of the day. so warm and fluffy. what makes a hershey's bar pure? pure togetherness. ["melt with you" playing] pure friendship. pure delicious chocolate. pure hershey's. ♪ and that is the world-famous rockefeller center christmas tree on this christmas morning right in the heart of midtown manhattan. not to worry because it's not coming down any time soon. the 76-foot norway spruce will be standing until january 7th, so you still have time to come down and look at it if you're in the area. what do you think of this year's tree compared to the years past? >> well, you've lit so many of the trees. >> this one was really nice and they didn't have to do a lot of augmentation. a lot of times they fill things out. >> fill it in. >> not with this tree. and it's a double stalk, so it's actually, as you know, it had kind of a twin peak. >> that's right, twin peaks, that's right. very beautiful tree. >> it is. meanwhile, still ahead, three-time u.s. men's skating champion michael weiss is going to hit the rock center rink for us for a special christmas day perfmance. and also coming up, our 16th annual holiday toy drive was a huge success this year, thanks to all of you. and coming up, we're going to show you exactly where some of those donations end up and how they get there. then, we're going to head back upstairs to where the scotto are keeping things cooking in our holiday kitchen. just ahead, their recipe for a perfect christmas dinner. >> okay. >> good. first, though, let's head over to the news desk once again, where jenna wolfe is standing by. jenna, good morning. >> and good morning to you, natalie. the u.s. military is condemning a taliban video as cruel propaganda. the militant group released it this morning showing an american soldier captured in afghanistan last june. officials say private 1st klatt bowe bergdahl appeared healthy. they have verified the authenticity of the tape but say portions of the video were apparently recorded months ago. pope benedict is doing fine today after a shocking attack last night. a woman jumped over a barrier and knocked the pope to the ground during christmas eve mass. he was not hurt and finished the mass, but a cardinal suffered a broken leg. freezing rain in the northeast may be the next obstacle if you're traveling today or tomorrow. across the midwest, near record snowfall left drivers with dangerously low tction and visibility. and it isn't mom's home cooking, but it will certainly do. american troops in kabul, afghanistan, dug into their own christmas feast this morning and received some precious packages from home. and there's more than one way to carry a torch. sarah bergomi was taking part in the olympic torch run across canada on thursday when her boyfriend stopped her in her tracks. he got down on one knee, and guess what he did. he popped the question. and guess what she said. she said yes. so, the torch took a q good morning, here we have the threat of icing to the west and north of interstate 95. radar is showing precipitation. it is sfis farther out to the w. temperatures just west of interstate 95 still below freezing. and later on today it will change to all rain around the region. may cause flooding as the ice >> now 33 minutes past the hour. let's send it back over to natalie. >> jenna, thank you. and coming up next, where all your donations to our holiday toy drive go and how they get there. ar music plays ] [ male announcer ] time's runng out on toyotathon, our biggest event of the year. [ guitar stops, amplifier feedback ] it's the perfect time to get the toyota you've always wanted. and for a limited time, get 0% apr financing on many of your favorite models. [ horn honks ] [ sighs ] [ male announcer ] plus, if you purchase your new toyota by the end of the year, you may qualify for a federal sales tax deduction for even more savings. i didn't get one. we've got more. [ male announcer ] it's not just an event, it's toyotathon. on now through january 4th. so warm, flaky; it might be the last time chips and dip are invited back. savorings. in the freezer case. from pillsbury. savorings. in the freezer case. kyle meyerowitz, tell me your story. my problem was occasional irregularity. my commercials didn't convince you? i am definitely a skeptic. actually, my mom convinced me. she saw the commercials, she tried it out... and? and i have activia every morning for breakfast... and, what happened? activia definitely helped my occasional irregularity. activia is clinically proven to help regulate your digestive system in two weeks when eaten every day. chances are someone you trust can recommend activia. ♪ activia ♪ [ female announcer ] dry, itchy skin. a long term struggle needs long term relief. eucerin calming creme. is clinically proven to relieve dry, itchy skin, with 92% of people reporting improved overall skin condition over time. eucerin calming creme. and the gentle cleansing formula of calming body wash. calm, healthy skin starts with eucerin. ♪ meet the leaf of the stevia plant. the proud parent of our natural sweetener. a zero-calorie indulgence from a miracle of nature, not chemistry. how utterly delicious. try the first great-tasting, zero-calorie natural sweetener born from nature. truvia. honestly sweet. find it at your grocery store. this is the 16th year of our holiday toy drive, and so far, we've been able to help out more than 3 million children. in fact, many are waking up this morning to the gifts that you donated. here's a glimpse of where some of your donations have gone and how they got there. ♪ the generosity starts on our plaza, where viewers bring the spirit of giving. >> i have a mickey mouse. >> i grew up loving barbies. >> every kid should have a candy land. >> i just told my children, there's other children who don't have as much as we have, so it's always nice to give a little bit of what you have to them. >> reporter: that compassion goes beyond the plaza with donations, pouring in from todayshow.com and our corporate partners. >> we're donating 10 million rolls of charmin. >> $700,000 worth of new footwear. >> wow. >> $250,000 worth of lunch kits. >> reporter: with help from some special elves, the donations get packed up and shipped out to more than 200 organizations around the country. this box is headed to the puerto rican family institute in new york city. >> these families sometimes lag things that ar important for the daily living. so, every donation counts. every donation, no matter if it is toys, bring joy to a family who otherwise wouldn't have nothing. >> i remember coming to the institute and receiving my first toy and playing with it over and over again. every ar around this time i always come back and give to those kids that were just like me when i was 10 years old that haven't received nothing for christmas. >> reporter: toys, clothes and toiletries are signed, sealed and delivered by christmas morning. >> we got the same thing! >> yeah! >> reporter: sometimes, christmas comes early. completing our annual cycle from sharing to smiles. >> you see the children, you see the parents, you see everyone happy. you don't see the people that donated, but they are in every gift that you delivered to one of these children. up next, a special christmas performance over the rock center rink, but first, these messages. i feel like i have to wind myself up just to get out of bed. then... well... i have to keewinding myself up to deal with the sadness, the loss of interest, the trouble concentrating, the lack of energy. if depression is taking so much out of you, ask your doctor about pristiq. (announcer) pristiq is a prescription medicine proven to treat depression. pristiq is thought to work by affecting the levels of two chemicals in the brain, serotonin and norepinephrine. tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens or you have unusual changes in mood, behavior, or thoughts of suicide. antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teens and young adults. pristiq is not approved for children under 18. do not take pristiq with maois. taking pristiq with nsaid pain relievers, aspirin or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. tell your doctor about all your medications, including those for migraine, to avoid a potentially life-threatening condition. pristiq may cause or worsen high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or glaucoma. telling your doctor if you have heart disease... or before you reduce or stop taking pristiq. side effects may include nausea, dizziness and sweating. (woman) for me, pristiq is a key in helping to treat my depression. (announcer) ask your doctor about pristiq. let's go to last night's highlights. there's mom and dad cleaning up. and there's the meatloaf. yuck. look what sometimes happens with the ordinary bag. it slips, oh, bingo, it falls in. mom was mad. mom should have used glad forceflex with the new stretchable drawstring that grips the can and stays in place. plus, it has the stretchable strength of forceflex. that's all today for glad tv. both: don't get mad-- get glad! but this sure says a lot: the 5-year, 100,000 mile transferable powertrain warranty from chevy. with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, it's the best coverage in america. of maxwell house's flavor lock lid. hear that? seals it tight. smells like fresh ground. fresh fresh fresh fre-- that's our favorite part. ...fresh! (announcer) taste why maxwell house is good to the last drop. - can you help me? - of course! what do you want? some of these and some of these and some of these... what are you going to make? you should make a gift for papa. i'm going to put it right here. that's for daddy. mine is done now! look it! look it! look it! whoa, whoa, wh! this... can i have another one? yes! is what memories are made of. rice krispies®. childhood is calling. ♪ this morning on "today at the rink," a special christmas performance from michael weiss. the three-time u.s. champion is part of a special event called improve global ice that airs this afternoon right here on nbc. michael, good morning. >> good morning. >> happy holiday to you. >> thank you very much. you, too. >> good to have you here. this sounds like a very cool and different skating event. tell me about it. >> it is very unique. we have sasha cohen, evan lysacek, christkristi yamaguchi announcing the show. >> quite a lineup. >> yeah, and we have the goo goo dolls performing as well live. but the unique twist to this is we didn't hear the music until a couple hours before the actual event. so, we hear the music, pick a random ipod. we don't know what we're going to skate to, and we go and make up the program, choreograph it and then perform it in front of everybody and they get to vote, too. they go online and can vote for their favorite skater. so, hopefully, vote for me. i need help. >> you don't need any help. so, it truly is improve. and the viewers can go and vote online. when do you find out the results? >> we'll find out on christmas day when brian boitano does had i special on new year's day. >> new year's day. that's fantastic. what are you going to skate to this morning? >> it's a piece that's special to me, "the lord's prayer." it seemed appropriate, being christmas day and all. hopefully, you guys enjoy it. >> i'm sure we will. take it away. and again, happy holiday. >> thank you. ♪ ♪ our father who art in heaven ♪ hallow ed be thy name ♪ ♪ thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as is it in heaven ♪ ♪ ♪ give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors ♪ ♪ and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil ♪ ♪ for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory ♪ ♪ forever amen [ applause ] >> michael weiss, thanks so much. and amway "global improve-ice" is today at 3:00 p.m./2:00 central time right here ♪ this morning in "today's holiday kitchen," they've got brunch out of the way. now it's time for christmas dinner with the scottos. oh, you just missed some fun. marian, john, anthony and elena from the new york restaurant fresco by scotto are back again. hey, guys, how are you doing? okay, spread out! let's get started. let's start with mama. so, what -- [ laughter ] >> being very silly. >> i'm telling you. >> but anyway, we're beginning with crab cakes. >> okay. >> and this is lump crab meat that i've put some mayonnaise and ketchup and zucchini and flavored it up. and we put it in breadcrumbs and raw almonds -- >> that's what i like, almonds. i've never had it with almonds. >> oh, it's so delicious. and al, we saute it. as soon as it's brown it's done. we make an avocado salsa to put on top, which is here. >> very nice. >> it's done with tomatoes and corn and lime, olive oil. and what could be better than this? >> nothing that i can think of. >> lasagna bolinase. >> okay. that could be better. so, let's go. >> i'm doing a bolinase sauce with the lasagna. i already have it made with fennel, onion, garlic, some white wine -- >> some bologna -- >> not bologna. i'm full of bologna. tomatoes. >> right. >> and what's special about our lasagna at fresco, we have a white sauce with milk, nutmeg, some flour and some parmesan cheese. >> okay. >> so, i have the sauce. i'm going to put this on top. it's layered. i put at the bottom of the pasta sheet of the lasagna, okay? put this on. >> now, you're using whole pasta sheets. >> whole pasta sheets. some tomato sauce. >> right. >> nice, right? >> beautiful. >> put some parmesan sauce -- >> right. >> sauce. >> parmesan cheese, i'm sorry. >> i like the parmesan sauce. it's good. >> good, another sheet of la sanga. repeat this three times -- >> how many lumps of coal did he get -- >> three times. this is going to behe first christmas with the family i've been punished so much. >> aww! >> everybody go aww. >> aww. >> here's how it looks. that's why you come to fresco. >> that looks gorgeous. >> i'll tell you what's better than that, maybe some veal with some garlic and rosemary? >> maybe. >> roasted loins, whoa! >> olive tuscana, right? >> olive tuscana. >> we've taken the veal, prepared it with garlic, added thyme, oregano. let it sit overnit. the idea is to let it absorb no salt. >> why salt? >> they dry things out. you want to salt them as soon as you're ready to bake and cook them. >> we'll wipe this off. >> you don't want this to brown and burn. >> that's a good point. >> wipe it all off. it will also help this brown. we're going to take this, put it in the pan -- >> okay, watch this -- >> careful with this. okay. >> nicely done. >> real quickly. maybe 10 or 15 minutes on both sides. once we've done that, we're then going to put it into a roasting pan that's going to have all of these goodies -- peanut potatoes, asparagus. everything's going to be thrown in the pan. we'll add a little jeau olive oil -- >> i'm getting sick of jeau. >> we're going to roast this n for half an hour, 45 minutes, 350. once that comes out, it's going to look like this. let it rest, slice it, delicious. >> fantastic! okay, but then -- >> save the best for last with ele elena. we're making a chocolate cake? >> we are. we're doing a pudding cake, bittersweet chocolate. and i put my batter in the pan. and now i'm starting with some hot water, cocoa powder and brown sugar. and we are going to mix this all together. and once we have it nice and combined, we're then going to just pour it over the batter. >> huh. >> and then we will bake this in the oven in a water bath for about 40 minutes at 350. >> right. >> this is what it looks like. >> it grew! >> you know when it's ready? see how it pulled away from the side? >> yeah. >> we add a little gilato, and then some caramel sauce. >> nice. >> and merry christmas to you. >> wow. >> and to jeau, too! >> oh, she got you! she got you! >> woo-woo! >> yeah. >> very nice. >> all right. >> well, guys, once again, merry christmas. >> thank you so much. >> and have a wonderful new year. >> merry christmas. >> we always love having you all. >> and if you want more recipes, check out our website at todayshow.com. okay, and still ahead this christmas morning -- go ahead, i'll take it. a special holiday "ambush makeover." plus, what to do if you don't like some of your gifts, after your local news and weather. >> we like this! there's a big reason to lower high cholesterol... dangerous plaque that can build up in arteries. it's called atherosclerosis--or athero. and high cholesterol is a major factor. but crestor can help slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. go to arterytour.com and take an interactive tour to learn how plaque builds up. and then ask your doctor if crestor is right for you. along with diet, crestor does more than lower bad cholesterol and raise good. crestor is proven to slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. crestor isn't for everyone, like people with liver disease, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. simple blood tests will check for liver problems. you should tell your doctor about other medicines you're takin or if you have muscle pain or weakness. that could be a sign of serious side effects. learn more about plaque buildup at arterytour.com. then ask your doctor if it's time for crestor. if you can't afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. >> and italian everything? >> and it was roast and it was lasagnas and it was wonderful desserts, a lot of meat. >> great, a lot of meat, because christmas eve, italians have fish to cleanse -- >> is it seven fishes? >> seven fishes. >> we still do that at fresco. >> to cleanse the body before the big meal. >> oh, to get you ready. >> exactly. >> in my house growing up, it was like a right of passage to adulthood to be able to open presents and stay up after midnight mass. the kids had to wait until christmas morning. was that kind of the way it worked in your -- >> well, yeah. >> my house it was t actually be able to sit down at the table with the older people. that was -- >> not the kiddie table? >> yeah, yeah, exactly. >> they always complained. i always had a big dining room but never enough room for the kids. so, what i did one year was i bought a board that took care of 20 people. so we all sat at the same table. and that was really a nice christmas. >> except for john, though, right? >> i surprised them -- >> is john invited this ye? >> of course, he is. >> thank you. >> all right. >> but now let's talk about this lasagna. >> let's talk about this lasa a lasagna. >> look how perfect that is. >> this is not made with the riggotta and mozzarella -- >> no. >> it is done with boulinese and grated cheese and the sauce and it is divine. it has now become my favorite. we do it at fresco. it's now become my favorite from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb. from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> a very merry christmas to all of you. this is a special christmas edition of "today" on this 25th day of december. merry christmas, hoda, woman. >> and merry christmas to you. everybody at home, hoping you're having a wonderful morning opening up your gifts. >> we're honored. thank you for being with us all this past year. we're not at the end of the year. i get a little emotional, a little, you know, the estrogen thing happening. >> a lot of that. >> and we're going to have a great show for you today. i think it's going to be a lot of fun. >> it will be a lot of fun. >> certainly had champagne to start it off, hoda. >> i've had a subborn, stubborn case of laryngitis. >> going on for weeks. >> hope you're okay. >> merry christmas to you. >> merry christmas to you and everybody at home and god bless us. as tiny tim would say, god bless us everyone. >> let's talk about our favorite christmas memories. >> mm-hmm. favorite christmas memories. >> you have one? >> well, let's see. even though your parents are egyptian, you grew up in oklahoma. >> yes, we did, and we always had the tree and the whole thing and the presents and the whole festivities. i just -- i just remember the morning. i mean, i remember being a young kid and not being able to sleep, and i would watch the clock, because we knew at 6:00 in the morning we could go hang out by the tree. >> right. >> couldn't open the gifts yet, but we could at least be around them. >> you were mornings when we opened presents. >> everyone has different traditions. >> you didn't -- >> mornings, yeah. had to go to bed. >> we had to wait until everybody was up. agony waiting. how could somebody else be sleeping. >> some people take a long time to brush their teeth. get down here, get down >> i remember the feeling. >> the anticipation of it. >> what about you? >> one time i was anticipating so much, and we have this on video. actually it was film back then, black and white, but anyway, i came running down the steps, and my daddy was at the bottom of the seps taking the film and hi forgotten one thing and that's called pants. >> oh, no. >> that's troubled me most of my life. that's happened so often in my life. i just forget the pants. anyway, that's how excited i was. >> there's nothing that beats that, that feeling. >> no. do you have the best gift ever that you can recall? >> well, i remember -- this actually should have been my sister's best gift and she reminds me of this story every christmas, so there was a doll that blinked its eyes and cried and all that. >> she looked like she was demon possessed that baby. >> my sister wanted that baby more than anything so my parents said to me -- my sister said to me, come he, i think mom and dad got me that blinking doll. no, you're kidding, and she took me to the closet and pointed it up there and sure enough, there it was. i don't know why i did this, but i apparently said this to my mom and tad. hallah saw the doll. that's totally not personality. they gave me the doll. i gave it back to hallah. >> you didn't even want the doll. >> i didn't want the doll. >> you guys have had problems ever since then. that's when it all started. you love her so much you're going to be going to visit her in dubai. >> again, what says christmas like dubai, yes. can i tell you though during christmas in dubai, they have santas that are along the deserts because i went last year, too. skating santas, gifts, carols, christmas trees. they do the whole deal in dubai. >> oh, my gosh. >> i'm excited. what about you? >> my best and worst i think was the same year in a weird way. after cody i thought we'd have one child because both of us, shall we say, had been around the block already and a little on the earl derly side, even then but i had two miscarriages in the meantime and all of a sudden at christmastime in 19 what would have been '92 i discord i was pregnant again. we were at colorado in our home there but that was the best part of it but the worst part of it was i was really very close to losing this baby as well so i remember being up at that altitude, 8,600 feet up in beaver creek, colorado, which is so, so, so gorgeous, but my little girl was a fighter, and that's cassidy, today 16 years old. >> that's amazing. >> it isn't about the gifts. barbra streisand years 'did a song -- ♪ the best gift i ever got and it turned out that the best gift i ever got was a brand new newborn baby. very grateful for those gifts in my life. one of them likes me, the other one doesn't. we won't talk about that. how about the traditions that have gone around the world? they are interesting. >> there are interesting ones. what are some of the interesting raditions, in caracas, venezuela. >> i've never been. >> me either. it's customary for the streets can be blocked off on christmas eve so people can roller skate to church. >> very spiritual. in germany glass pickle ornaments hold a prominence on any upstanding bavaran christmas trees. families would hide the pickle, the old hide the pickle thing and the children -- i remember that. >> that's what they call it. >> the child lucky enough to find the pickle. >> okay. >> won a prize. >> yes. all right. >> and it was an artificial spieder. >> oh, that's the next one. >> artificial spider. >> artificial spider, and web -- >> in its web. in the ukranian region. >> right. >> artificial spiders and webs are often part of the christmas tree decorations. >> which is odd to me. >> doesn't say christmas at all. >> creepy. >> a spider web was found on christmas morning and if that happened -- >> good luck. >> believed to bring you good luck for the year. >> what else is there? >> oh, i don't know. trying to get to this reindeer dung, necklace. >> jewelry. >> really created from reindeer droppings, it's cleaned, sanitized, painted and it can be order by calling the miller park zootique gift shop. >> stop giving the number. >> that is my number. >> oh. >> sarah, would you be interested in a little reindeer dung. >> anything that says dung in it is something i try to avoid. >> what have you got going on over there, miss sarah? >> i have a customized "today" show snuggie. >> you can get your own snuggie done with anything you want it to see. >> it's comfy. it's snugly. we're also going to be posting that picture of kathie lee and heada on "today".show. coming up next, is there a better way to celebrate the holidays than an ambush makeovers. >> this is fabulous. you won't believe the results. these two ladies had their christmas dreams come true right after this. uncle doug arrived in topeka, unlike his luggage. but, as the crescent moon rose, so rose the ones in the oven. she welcomed them home eagerly. and they ate and talked and laughed and ate. mrs. brooks smiled. this was a most perfect holiday. get great fall and winter apparel at 50% off. plus, 60% off all holiday costume jewelry and jewelry boxes. there's smart, and there's kmart smart. boring ground beef? 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(announcer) new scott extra soft tissue... softness done right! let's go to last night's highlights. there's mom and dad cleaning up. and there's the meatloaf. yuck. look what sometimes happens with the ordinary bag. it slips, oh, bingo, it falls in. mom was mad. mom should have used glad forceflex with the new stretchable drawstring that grips the can and stays in place. plus, it has the stretchable strength of forceflex. that's all today for glad tv. both: don't get mad-- get glad! to start losing essential nutrients? not long. in fact, green beans lose half their vitamin c in a week. that's why green giant freezes them within 8 hours to lock in nutrients. ho ho ho green giant get great fall and winter apparel at 50% off. pl, 60% off all holiday costume jewelry and jewelry boxes. there's smart, and there's kmart smart. ♪ it's the most wonderful time of the year ♪ >> we're back with more of our special christmas edition of "today" and a couple of holiday ambush makeovers. >> what a gift. >> you guys picked two lucky ladies from the plaza to give them a christmas gift, didn't you? >> tried to give them the best christmas present that we could and a makeover what. could be more exciting than a makeover. we took two ladies and totally transformed them. >> the first lady you found is julie williams, 49 years old from roanoke, virginia, near where i went to college. married to david for 25 years, five kids, four grandkids. her doctor diagnosed her with lung cancer, guys. she was told she had one year to live and that was six years ago. and now she's ready to embrace life with a whole new look. let's hear her story. >> i know this is an emotional makeover for you. tell us why you want this so badly. >> i was diagnosed. i was sick a few years ago with lung cancer, and i try to take every moment. i've learned to appreciate the value of life, and i grab every moment i can. new york city is great. >> well, you're so full of life now bouncing around outside for this. are you ready for a whole new look? >> i'm so ready, so ready. i need it. >> and it's her friend mary standing there with her. hello, marry. >> everybody needs a friend named marry. >> keep your blindfold on till i give the go-ahead. here is julie before the makeover. all right, julie. let's see the new you. >> oh, my goodness. >> wow, wow, wow. >> come here. >> you look beautiful, darling. >> all right, mary, you ready. >> yeah. >> check out mary, your friend. >> oh, my god. you fixed you. you're beautiful. >> julie, you're going to flip out. you ready. >> i , i am. >> oh, my goodness! i look totally, totally different. thank you so much. >> beautiful. >> it's the hair. >> it's everything. >> my gosh. >> first thing with the hair color, notice that it's lighter in the front and darker in the back. if you color your hair at home. buy two boxes, one slightly lighter and darker. >> so it loo natural. >> and she has highlights around the face. she has layers which gives her fullness and she has blue eyeliner to show off her beautiful ice. >> mary, what do you think? >> oh. >> you can tell they have been through a lot together. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> and that outfit is together. >> stop it, you guys, come on. >> everyone should invest in basics for the new year and that's what we gave her, a great buttondown from talbots and this belt is great. >> you look great. >> big hand for julie. >> right over there. >> so sweet, all right. our next laidy is janel, 55 from fredericton, ohio. she and her husband will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary, three kids together, never colored her hair and did experiment with frosting kits when she was younger. >> oh, no. >> she's repented ofthat. >> she's here with her friends and family and daughters kelly and carrie. let's hear her story. >> you're getting married soon and i know you want this for your mother. tell us why. >> my mom has been so great to me over the last 25 years and it's just as much her day as it is mine and i want her to look just as good as i do. >> that's so sweet, mother of the bride. >> i'm excited. >> i know you want this. so excited. my daughters are my life, and i have a son also and my family is my life, and i want to do -- we're going to cry. we're just glad to be together and experience this and i appreciate it. i really -- i could be good. i don't want to outshine the bride. >> don't worry. we are going to make you look fabulous. are you ready? >> i'm so excited. i'm so excited. i can't wait. i can't wait. i can't wait. >> is it chstmas, or is it estrogen, you know. all righty. let's see them all there. daughters and friends, kelly and carrie and let's take one last look at janel and now let's bring out the new and gorgeous christmas janel. oh, stop it. working the room. you ready to look at her. take them off. janel, take a little turn and take a look in the mero behind you. that's pretty stunning. >> whoo. >> can you see without your glasses. >> a little bit. >> what do you think, ladies. >> everybody is crying. that's a good sign. usually louis who is bawling. tell us what you did. >> i'll take my toughen up pills. >> i know. >> the thirst thing i did, shows you the power of hair color. never colored, her hair was gray and drab and tock her xloksion away and this soft bright auburn -- >> i love that cut, so flirty. >> and her hair was off her face and jennifer lawrence gave her layers and put it more on her face and got rid of the high forehead. you look fantastic. >> i can't take it. i can't take it. >> what do you guys think. hold the mike up. >> well, mom never ever does like herself, never takes care of herself because she always takes care of us, still get $5 haircuts. >> not today she didn't. >> and it's so nice to just see her all done up. >> oh. >> and what about your mom, hon. >> you're amazing, mom. you look amazing. > jill, try to talk now. >> talk about accessories. we wanted to give her a few pieces to wear for christmas and for the new year so we see the broach here that you loved yesterday was on the hat and now it's on the sweater to make it beautiful. >> you look beautiful. ladies, both of you. come on out. julie, come on out. you've been officially ambushed by "today" show. you two as always do the greatest job. thank you for the job you've done this past year, made so many people not only beautifu but happy about themselves. that's the real gift you guys give. next up, hoda and i will fall apart. we're going to play a game. we'll be right back. - of course! e? what do you want? some of these and some of these and some of these... ♪ rocking around the christmas tree ♪ what are you going to make? you should make a gift for papa. i'm going to put it right here. that's for daddy. mine is done now! look it! look it! look it! whoa, whoa, whoa! this... can i have another one? yes! is what memories are made of. rice krispies®. childhood is calling. ♪ childhood is calling. this holiday, do you really want to cut corners by using a broth with ms swanson chicken broth has no msg. so for a perfect meal, the secret is swanson, 100% natural chicken broth. when you can actually party at your party? with homemade ex party mix. five great recipes that wow the crowd. and you can make them in only 15 minutes. get out of the kitchen, get into the party. homemade chex party mix. plain old chicken?tchen, get into the party. let campbell's transform it into chicken with sun-dried tomatoes. add unmistakable flavor to any dish. go to campbellskitchen.com for more mouth watering recipes. ♪ so many, many reasons ♪ it's so m'm! m'm! good! ♪ made with gooey hersheys mini-kisses. spontanious joy may occur. and we're back on this crist place day with a whole christmas day quiz. >> before you pick over the piper mint park -- >> have you tried that. it's delicious. >> you might want to play along with us. madeline finstrom is here again because she loves to see us duke it out. what are we going to do? >> a lot of cool holiday foods today and these questions are getting a little tougher because you girls are really good but let's start with the holiday favorite. everybody loves egg nog because in this six ounce cup, does it have 250 calories 350 calories or 450 galleries. >> kathie lee. >> 400. >> that's not an answer, 250, 350 or 450. >> 450 the most. >> nope. heada? >> no. >> 350. >> hoda gets that one. >> 350. plenty of questions left. >> oh, good. something to look forward to. go ahead. >> now the holidays aren't complete without having a little candy cane. this single candy cane, does this have more than 100 calories or less than 100 calories? hoda? >> less. you are right. it has 40 calories >> you know why she knows all these things, because she has a sweet tooth the size of egypt. >> listen carefully because these are two holiday cocktails. one is the classic -- >> excuse me, i can't hear her question. go ahead. >> these are two classic cocktails. one is the bellini made with two parts champagne and one part -- >> beach juice, not that i know. >> and the other is beef eater 24 gin with botanicals and green tea and a splash of lime juice and a little bit of sugar. which has the fewer calories? >> the one that's not the bellini. >> you're correct. this is called the ralitea, 105 versus 120. >> moving on to the meat and potatoes crowd. if you choose carefully this six-ounce serving of ham instead of this six-ounce serving of beef, do you save 12, 18 or 22 grams of fat? hoda? >> 18. >> no. >> kathie lee? >> 12. >> 22. >> i did not get that. that was just a little joke. i don't cheat. anyway -- >> everybody. i think everybody loves fruit cake. >> no, no, no. nobody loves fruit cake. does anybody love fruit cake? >> no. >> well, for those who do like fruit cake -- >> all two of you out there? >> does this piece have 120, 180 or 250 calories? >> it's really high in calories, so i'm going for the top one. >> no. >> i'm going for the second one. >> the second one, 180, hoda, you got that one. >> next. >> the little things. >> we'll look at fried foods because in honor of hannukah that uses fried foods, a fried potato pancake and a fried jelly doughnut. now which one of these has fewer calories? >> oh. >> clock is tick. >> kathie lee? >> why do i do that? you would think it's the potato latke but i'll say the jelly doughnut has fewer calories than the latke just to be goofy. >> you are wrong. they have the same amount of fat. >> why are we putting up the score? >> here's where you can finish up strong. >> i want that. >> everyone knows this yulelog and a piece of apple pie. which one of these two has more fat. does the apple pie have more fat than the yule log or -- which one has more pat? >> i think the apple pie has more fat. >> yes. 19 dwrams and 14 for the yule log. >> must be wonderful to be an expert on all the fat stuff. >> do we have a winner? >> who do you think? it's not her. bring me my gift. it's fruit. >> oh, it's fruit. >> edible arrangement. >> thank you. >> thank you. thank you very much. >> merry christmas. >> check out her blog, which is i guess on our website. >> on your website. >> ivillagecommunity, too. >> how to be gracious about the gift you cannot return, plus a special performance from straight no chaser after your local news. but mom knows there's puffs plus... ...with the magic of three. soothing lotion with a touch of sh butter, aloe and e. plain tissue can irritate the sore nose issue. puffs plus with lotion is a more soothing tissue. a nose in need deserves puffs plus indeed. and try puffs plus with the comforting scent of vicks. what are you looking for? 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[ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. - can you help me? - of course! what do you want? some of these and some of these and some of these... what are you going to make? you should make a gift for papa. i'm going to put it right here. that's for daddy. mine is done now! look it! look it! look it! whoa, whoa, whoa! this... can i have another one? yes! is what memories are made of. rice krispies®. childhood is calling. ♪ what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! [ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. ♪ run, run, rudolph, santa's got to make it to town ♪ >> welcome back on this christmas day with today's "call of the wild" and what better way to celebrate than with imals. >> julie scardinas is here with some of her very closest friends. merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> these are so sweet, oh, my gosh. >> i've been holding the sloth for about ten minutes now. >> yeah. >> it feels like and she came right to me. only seven months old. >> tell us about this. >> she's like a child. >> yeah. sloths are really unique animals. they live in the rain forest of south america, and they are very, very slow all the time. so everything they do is kind of in slow motion. certainly she just loves you, kathie lee. >> she does. >> they have a bad reputation, don't they. >> you say he's just a sloth. i'm sorry, i'm never saying that again. this is a precious animal. >> tell us about -- >> the sloth is really -- they really are very, very necessary for the rain forest health, too, and a lot of people don't realize because they think wild animals, why do we need them, and if not for wild animals we wouldn't even have forests. >> okay. >> a good little sloth. >> eating papaya, by the way. >> what's her name? >> her name is sloth. >> pokey sloth. >> you've got a -- >> this is pete and penny. >> pete and penny. >> these guys love the holiday at sea world. these guys are magic land penguins. we'll save the fish. the holidays are a great time at sea world and busch gardens. all the animals get into it, believe it or not the penguins love all the decorations because they love to find little shiny things on the trees and everything, and we even have otters that are going to come out and open some presents as well. >> stop it, julie. >> yeah. >> are you kidding me. >> there's a penguin over here. >> okay. can you take that one. >> i'm not going anywhere. i'm happeny with sloth. >> what are they doing? >> what are they doing. >> they love christmas! what can i say. >> what are they doing in there? >> this is puffy and zander. >> what is in there? >> they have got toys and towels and little goodies,nd they know -- >> they look like rats. >> this is the type of the year when they get to play, and, you know, hoda, if you want. hold that up for either buffy or zander. let them know that you have it. buffy, zander, where are you? >> let's be honest, if you came down and saw that under your christmas tree you would blow them away and you know it. >> oh. >> sloth, don't look. >> oh, my gosh. this is a reindeer. whoa. >> oh, my gosh. i just turned around and pokey and i -- >> just turned the studio into christmas morning. >> look at these two. >> oh, my gosh. >> they love their presents. they love their snacks on christmas morning, and, of course, what would be christmas without a reindeer, of course. >> careful of the sloth. >> wow. >> this is holly. >> hi, holey. >> and hole, you know, heck, it's christmas morning. >> exhausted from making that whole trip. >> notice i said she. >> yes. >> many people think that santas rendeer are all males, but believe it or not mostly the males have dropped their antlers by the time christmas comes around, so the ones doing all the work on christmas eve are actually the females, huh, holey? >> yes. >> does he -- she want something to eat? do we have any food. >> looks hungry. >> the reindeer don't truly exist, but they do. >> reindeer is just really another name f caribou as well which a lot of people don't realize. >> look at that. >> oh, my -- >> i like these. >> the otters. >> look at loving getting into all those presents and everything. >> come here, you. >> these animals have a great time at the parks and it's a great time to go and visit as well because these guys are haing out doing fun things parks as well. -- >> look at him eating. >> are sloths good pets? >> no. >> let me emphatically say none of these animals are good pets. they are all exotic animals which need very specialized care. >> better behaved than my dogs, i'm telling you. >> you know what, you know why, because we spend eight hours a day with her to teach her that she doesn't have to be afraid of people, that she doesn't need to be aggressive or anything like that? >> isn't she darling? >> she is. >> whereas out in the wild they have to be aggressive. they have to be able to survive, so -- oh, look at this. look at the otter playing in his toy. he's got something in his duck there. >> i think the sloth is choking to death. >> i gave it a little -- julie, we thank you so much. >> julie, thank you. >> merry christmas. >> and all your friends, especially pokey. >> holey is coming around. >> all right, good. >> got to keep a poker face when you open up a gift that maybe you don't want so much after these messages. >> how cute. ♪ you would even say it glows ♪ all of the other reindeer what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! 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(woman) ask your rheumatologist about simponi.™ just one dose, once a month. (woman) ask your rheumatologist about simponi.™ this holiday, do you really want to cut corners by using a broth with msg? swanson chicken broth has no msg. so for a perfect meal, the secret is swanson, 100% natural chicken broth. so warm and fluffy. make the most out of the most important meal of the day. what are you looking for? the hairbrush for a rapunzel barbie doll. ohh! [ female announcer ] holiday savings are still happening at walmart. starting this saturday, come to walmart's garden center and get 50% off christmas items. save money. live better. walmart. the holidays are a time for gathering and feasting and unwrapping, the irresistible oking gifts. >> yeah, and then it hachts the paper comes off, the box top lifted and your face says it all. what the heck am i going to do with this? how do you keep the peace after getting a present that is shall we say less than useful? here with help is michelle callahan, the author of "ms. typed" and janine driver, president of the body language institute, excuse us very much. merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> it can be a very, very awkward situation. >> it is, and you should be appreciative to get something but it's uncomfortable when it's not what you expect, not what you wanted and you don't know what to do and i think you should just be gracious. >> let's prete that you're expecting an engagement ring or something like that. >> this is your year. >> you get the gift, itit small and you open it. >> and it's a lapel pin. >> or earrings. sometimes you can't hide your reaction >> to get something like that, what you want to do is pass it around real quickly like the magician so the gift is on the item, not your expression. pass it around, look, look. no one is looking at, because as soon as they see this they know you don't like what you got. >> say something nice, even if it's not what you want, find something nice to y. >> oh, you are so nice. >> don't want to hurt the person's feeling. >> if you have a sweater, say it's a green sweat we are feathers all over it and you're not a feather kind of person. take the sweater and divert attention from the face because as body language expert we all know our face is revealing our true emotion. >> everything. >> take the sweeter and go green i love it and hide your face behind the sweater. i love it. >> find something about it, green, the sweater, the feathers. >> say someone spends a lot of time knitting or making something and everybody's taste is beautiful but it's just not for you. >> don't say that. >> it's gorgeous. >> but it's just not for me. >> you must have spent forever doing this. >> and maybe can you re-gift it to someone sglels let's talk about re-gifting. >> can you do that with a hand made thing like that? >> when you get something that's really personal, something that you care about a lot, it's sentimental. consider holding on to even though you never use it. >> or they expect to see it on you or expect to see it in your house? >> when they come over, you bring it out or put that sweater on on the holiday or whatever. >> you wear it. >> the other things that are not as personal -- you don't want to bear smebody with the brunt of carrying on something that you didn't want, if it's not your scent or color, perfectly fine to give to someone else. >> here's the deal. i spokeo an etiquette expert and she said over 80% of what we're communicating to others when with our gifts is 80% here. when you receive something that you don't like you're allowed to re-gift. just go outside your circle of friends and my friend is this. put a sticky note, my sister got a santa ornament from her friend, literally pulled down the branch of the tree. put it in her attic and re-gift it had to later to who, the person who gave it to her. >> did i that. >> hoda did that. >> put a sticker on it. >> because you have to have a terrific memory if you're going to re-gift. >> put a sticky on, tape it on the bottom so it doesn't happen. >> what's the thing with the feet that men express -- all express ourselves with the feet. what is that about? >> this is the deal with our feet. number one is when we cross our ankles we're sending the message that we want to be some place else. women will cross their ankles because they have to go to the restroom. men, when they pull their legs underneath the chair or crs their ankles they do not like your gift. they do not like your gift, because they cross their ankles. it sends the message you want to be some place else. it doesn't matter what body language means but how it's perceived. as soon as they change the baseline, you know this as a therapist, they change their hot spot, that's a clue right away. >> what if you can see, what should you do as a gift giver? >> find out what people like. >> right then at that moment. >> do you really like that, is that okay to ask that, put the person more on the spot? >> puts the person on the spot. puts you on the spot, too. you can say i hope you like it or picked it for this reason. >> or can you return it. >> offer them the gift seat. >> you're right. >> and say something you're important to me, might not be the best gift inhe world but you're important to me. i care about you and i thought about you >> the drama. >> merry christmas, ladies. >> merry christmas. >> thank you, thank you. >> all righty. so we're going to be back with more of "today" and a very special holiday performance from straight no chaser. >> they are good. >> right after this. ♪ snowed under by mother nature. >> snowed under by the giants. >> a locker room rivalry. >> on the next "redskins showti we're back with a special christmas performance from guys names ryan, walter, jerome, david, randy and tyler. >> collectively they are called straight no chaser and here they are with "hey santa" off their holiday album called "chstmas cheers." ♪ ♪ ♪ fa, la, la, la, la, la >> one, two, three. ♪ hey, santa, hey santa, hey santa ♪ ♪ are you going to atlanta ♪ can i hitch a ride with you santa don't bring me any toys ♪ bring my baby and a bottle of joy ♪ ♪ we all know santa is a good old boy ♪ ♪ could you bring along a bottle of mint scnopps ♪ ♪ santa don't bring me any toys ♪ bring my baby and a bottle of joy ♪ ♪ we all know santa ask a good ol' boy ♪ ♪ hey santa, hey santa, hey santa, hey santa ♪ ♪ hey santa, hey santa ♪ are you going to atlanta ♪ can i hitch a ride with you ♪ don't want to leave my comfy cozy ♪ ♪ what's my name, ain't you nosey ♪ ♪ hot buttered rum hot buttered rum ♪ ♪ you better come ♪ santa coming ♪ baby just gone and died and gone to heaven ♪ >> make that a double. come on now ♪ santa come 11 ♪ baby just died and gone to heaven ♪ ♪ hey santa, hey santa, hey santa, hey santa ♪ ♪ hey santa, hey santa ♪ are you going to atlanta? ♪ can i hitch you a ride with you old man ♪ ♪ because my gal lives in dixieland ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ come on, come on ♪ hey santa, hey santa, hey santa hey santa ♪ ♪ hey santa. >> let's go. ♪ hey santa, hey santa ♪ why don't we swing by indiana ♪ ♪ can i hitch a ride with you old man ♪ ♪ because my gal lives in dixieland. >> one more time. ♪ can i hitch a ride with you old man ♪ ♪ because my gal lives in dix as we get ready to head back to our homes to be with our families we want to wish you a beautiful blessed day with yours. >> and as we sign off, we want to leave you with all of the names of the wonderful people you don't see on this show. they work so hard every day to make us all look so good. we love them. >> merry christmas to everybody. >> merry christmas. >> thanks, everybody. god bless. ♪ time to shake it up ♪ tell the world good morning and find out what's going on ♪ ♪ it's a new beginning ♪ let the sunlight in and know it's another chance to shine on ♪ ♪ life it everything you want to make it ♪ ♪ you're the only one who is going to change it ♪ ♪ your day is today ♪ it's yours to make it everything you ever wanted it to be ♪ ♪ your day is today so dream away ♪ ♪ open up your eyes and listen ♪ your day is today ♪ you'll know a little more than you did before ♪ ♪ start off the day off with a whole new outlook ♪ ♪ what's the latest news ♪ have a laugh or two ♪ send me out the door with something so good ♪ ♪ it's always better when you're waking up to friends who share the kind of world that you do ♪ ♪ your day is today ♪ it's yours to make it everything you ever wanted to be ♪ ♪ your day is today so dream away ♪ ♪ open up your eyes because this is life ♪ ♪ your day is today ♪ it's gonna be all right ♪ today i see it falling out of sight ♪ ♪ isn't it great to be alive ♪ your day is today ♪ it's yours to make it everything you ever wanted to ♪ ♪ your day is today ♪ today

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