Ten, ten, ten across the board for Tina Knowles’ Christmas game plan.
In fact, Beyoncé’s mom already know how she plans to celebrate her eldest and Jay-Z’s children—daughter Blue Ivy Carter, 12, and twins Rumi Carter and Sir Carter, 7—this holiday season.
“For the kids, we buy toys just like in any other family,” Tina told E! News in an exclusive interview at the Paley Center for Media’s Fall Gala Dec. 4. “That’s what they like.”
But toys aren’t the only thing the matriarch plans on bringing to the table—and we mean that literally.
Her other holiday traditions include, as she said, “Making my amazing gumbo. I just made it for Thanksgiving, it was so many people that came over. Just good food and company and family.”
For the 70-year-old—who is also mom to daughter Solange Knowles with ex Matthew Knowles—the holiday season can be summed up simply: “Music and family—that’s what it’s about.” (For more with Tina, tune into E! News tonight, Dec. 5 at 11 p.m.)
And on the music side of things, there is indeed much to celebrate. After all, it isn’t everyday one’s daughter is pronounced Billboard’s No. 1 popstar of the century so far.
“I think she’s very deserving of it,” Tina gushed of Beyoncé’s most recent crowning achievement. “She’s had 25 years of just being able to stay current and stay on top. That’s not an easy feat, and I think she’s had such an impact on culture. She’s changed culture over and over and over.”
She added, “So it’s not just about record sales, it’s about having that longevity. And being a true artist and giving that heart and soul to what she’s doing.”
The peek into Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s family world from Tina comes as a rare occurrence, as the two power houses of the music industry often keep the details of their lives at home out of the public eye.
As Beyoncé told GQ in September, “One thing I’ve worked extremely hard on is making sure my kids can have as much normalcy and privacy as possible, ensuring my personal life isn’t turned into a brand. It’s very easy for celebrities to turn our lives into performance art."
However, Tina did—as a proud grandmother—recently provide insight into the burgeoning talents of Rumi and Sir.
"Rumi is a natural little star," Tina told E! News in August. “And Sir is more into books and electronics."
On the ranging interests, she boasted, “We got them all, raising them up right."
And if whether Rumi might follow in Blue Ivy’s footsteps and joining their mother onstage, Tina said her granddaughters “will not be denied.”
As she pointed out, “They’re all artists. How could they not?”
And should the three Carter children wish to become more involved in their parent’s musical world as they grow older, there will be ample opportunity. After all, when she does speak about her children, Beyoncé has made it clear how much of a priority they are for her.
"My kids come with me everywhere I go," the Destiny’s Child alum added to GQ. "They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me."
"I build my work schedule around my family," she continued. "I try to only tour when my kids are out of school. I always dreamt of a life where I could see the world with my family and expose them to different languages, architecture, and lifestyles."
For more on Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s inner world with their kids, keep reading.
--Reporting by Sharon Carpenter
A Sweet Feature
Beyoncé featured daughter Rumi Carter on her new country album Cowboy Carter.
"Protector," the fourth song on the project, begins with Rumi asking, "Mom, can I hear the lullaby, please?" The clip leads into an acoustic ballad reflecting on her deep love for her children.
Gilded in Gold
While pregnant with her twins, the award-winning singer gave an incredible performance at the 2017 Grammys. It's safe to say Rumi and Sir Carter had the best seats in the house!
One-Month Milestone
A month after welcoming her twins, the proud mom took to Instagram to gush over the babies. She wrote, "Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today."
Cuddles
In July 2022, Beyoncé thanked her kids ahead of her Renaissance album release.
"I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir and Blue for allowing me the space, creativity, and inspiration," she wrote on her website alongside this photo. "And a special thanks to my husband and muse, who held me down during those late nights in the studio."
The Proud Family
The group posed together as The Proud Family for Halloween 2023.
All Smiles
The Houston native flashed a huge smile as she carried her babies.
Renaissance Tour
Rumi joined Bey and Madonna for a backstage tour photo in July 2023 alongside Madonna's daughters Mercy, Stella and Estere.
Splashing Around
The twins adorably took a dip in the ocean in matching outfits.
Daddy's Girl
The father-daughter duo looked at the amazing views as they enjoyed a boat ride together.
New Year, New Footage
The "Spirit" singer kicked off 2021 with a sweet video that captured heartwarming moments with her family. "Cheers to a New Year Beyhive," she captioned her Instagram. "2020 divided us and united us. Most could not see loved ones and we felt too many losses, but we were united by our humanity."
Birthday Beauty
To celebrate her 38th birthday, the award-winning singer shared behind-the-scenes pics of how she rang in her special day. In one photo, her kids help her blow out her candles.
Sweet Shout-Out
The "Black Parade" singer honored her son during the Black Is King visual album, writing, "And to all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon. Bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom."
Black Is King Cameo
A family affair! Beyoncé struck a pose with her daughters, as well as her mother, Tina Knowles, during the "Brown Skin Girl" music video in Black Is King.
Mini-Me
A moment that was too cute for words!
Life's a Beach!
In March 2021, The Lion King actress shared rare photos of her little ones enjoying a beach day in Malibu, Calif.