Melinda Gates, daughter Jennifer share sweet Christmas traditions, joy of grannyhood

As Christmas approaches, Melinda French Gates and her daughter, Jennifer Gates, are uniquely creating cherished holiday memories.

The philanthropist and her eldest daughter, Jennifer, engaged in a heartwarming video call where they crafted their ornaments and reminisced about their favourite festive traditions.

In an Instagram post, Melinda shared the joyous moment, highlighting their less-than-perfect artistic skills with a touch of humour. 

“We may not be the most artistic, but we make up for it with our holiday cheer,” she wrote.

During the video call, Jennifer, who welcomed her first child in March, fondly recalled childhood memories, including leaving out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

The Gates family also upheld a tradition of giving back by providing gifts for less fortunate children during the holidays.

Expressing gratitude for the values instilled by her parents, Jennifer thanked her mom and Bill Gates for shaping her and her siblings.

The conversation touched on Jennifer’s recent achievement of earning a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University.

As they put the finishing touches on their ornaments, the mother-daughter duo playfully bantered about their singing skills. 

Melinda expressed her joy as a grandmother, delighting in every little thing that her granddaughter, Leila, does. Jennifer, reflecting on motherhood, described it as an incredible experience and shared the joy of witnessing Leila’s growth alongside her mother.

In the spirit of Christmas, the heartwarming video captures the essence of family traditions, love, and the joy that comes with new additions to the family.