Thanksgiving is a cherished time for many, but for Olivia Culpo and her husband, San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, the holiday requires careful maneuvering.
This year marks their first Thanksgiving as a married couple, but McCaffrey’s NFL commitments mean the holiday will be far from traditional.
“Having a husband in the NFL, you do have to base your holidays around their schedule,” Culpo shared in an exclusive PEOPLE interview.
“Every time we get the new schedule, you have to check out… every year is very different and exciting. There’s not really one way to plan for consistency, which makes it interesting.”
Even though McCaffrey‘s team isn’t scheduled to play on Thanksgiving Day, his professional responsibilities still take priority.
The 49ers enforce strict protocols, with players adhering to regimented routines and being discouraged from leaving the area during the season.
“They have to sleep in a hotel the night before the games no matter what,” Culpo explained. “It’s like it’s a whole situation, 48-hour lockdown, can’t go anywhere type of thing.”
Although the NFL star won’t be on the field, his work commitments mean that Thanksgiving will be treated like any other day.
According to Culpo, McCaffrey‘s team still has meetings and practices on Nov. 28.
“After all of his meetings and everything that they do… he’ll probably finish around 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Then, hopefully, we’ll be able to give thanks around then,” she said.
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Keeping Traditions Alive
Despite the unconventional circumstances, Culpo is determined to make the most of their time together.
Her family plans to join her in the Bay Area to celebrate, a tradition they’ve upheld during her relationship with McCaffrey. After Thanksgiving, she’ll embark on a luxury family cruise.
“It’s the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection… We’re so excited,” she revealed. “Our family is growing.
“We have so many nieces and nephews, and they’re going to come also. I feel like a cruise is a good way to make sure that the kids are occupied, but the adults can also have fun.”
Culpo, a former Miss Universe turned social media personality, also expressed her love for the holiday season. Her family maintains traditions like matching pajamas and starting Christmas shopping early.
“I usually start planning everybody’s Christmas gifts at least a week before Thanksgiving,” she said, tying her festive spirit into her collaboration with PayPal.
While McCaffrey remains focused on his football season, Culpo proves that with flexibility and a little creativity, the spirit of the holidays can shine through.
Despite the challenges, the couple finds ways to cherish the moments they share during this special time of year.