Brenda Song was living the sweet life as a kid, and she wants her sons to have the same.
When it comes to creating holiday magic for Dakota, 4, and Carson, 2, she and fiancé Macaulay Culkin "try to do small things,” the Suite Life of Zack and Cody alum shared in an exclusive interview with E! News. “We always take a picture with the mall Santa, because it’s something I did. So every year, since my oldest son was a baby, we go to the mall and we take a picture with Santa.”
And Brenda even incorporates her parents—who live close by—into the holiday activities with her toddlers.
“We are the family that the day after Thanksgiving our tree goes up, and we spend all day doing our tree,” she explained. “We like to do our lights ourselves. So my dad comes over with a big ladder, and we spend all weekend doing all the Christmas lights.”
Another aspect of Brenda’s childhood she’s incorporating into her kids’ lives is her and her brother Timmy Song’s love for iSpy, which comes in handy during holiday traveling.
“I was born in Sacramento, and would drive up to L.A. for auditions,” Brenda shared. “So my brother and I, we would play iSpy. So, I started playing with my oldest son, and it just came to be.”
And now it has become one of Dakota and Carson’s favorite travel rituals.
“They love the game,” Brenda added. “We play it all the time, everywhere we go.”
With the holidays coming up, Brenda knows she’ll get a lot of use out of both iSpy and the Citi/AAdvantage Globe card. Launched in October, it offers a slew of benefits for travel lovers, which Brenda noted perfectly fits into her family’s lifestyle.
“We love to go to Disneyland during the holidays,” she continued. “We're actually coming to New York for the first time for the holidays.”
And, yes, the Social Network alum and Home Alone star are ready for their kids to get lost in New York.
“They've never been to New York before, so, really excited to show the boys the big city, especially during the holiday season,” she explained. “Rockefeller Center! Like, just see the tree, obviously. It's just so special.”
Brenda is convinced her kids will love it more than a lovely cheese pizza all to themselves.
“We try to explain it to them that it's like the biggest tree, the biggest Christmas tree you'll ever see, and I don't think they've comprehended it,” she added. “So I'm really excited to see their reaction.”
For more sweet moments from Brenda and Macaulay, keep reading…
So '90s
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song were on theme at Billie Lourd's 33rd birthday party in July 2025.
8 Years Strong
Brenda shared this sweet photo on the couple's eighth anniversary in June 2025, writing on Instagram, "There is still no one who makes me laugh or smile like the way you do. No one who makes me feel more seen, heard or loved."
"My partner in crime, my adventure partner, my best friend, my baby daddy, my favorite everything- thank you," she added. "To be loved by you is the greatest privilege."
Go Rams
Macaulay and Brenda were decked out in their favorite football team's colors in 2024.
Date Night
The couple stepped out for a rare red carpet date at a Clarins product launch party in Los Angeles in March 2024.
Fun in Cabo
The couple celebrated Brenda's 36th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 2024.
Poolside Service
Macaulay purchased a resort tshirt and pretended to be a resort employee, offering Brenda a towel as she lounged poolside.
Bellhop
He also played bellhop and carried her bags, much to Brenda's confusion and amusement.
Meet Dakota
The two appeared with their son Dakota at Macaulay's star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023.
Hi Baby
Macaulay and Brenda's baby boy Carson also made an appearance at the ceremony.
Star Power
The couple were all smiles at the family event.
Trick or Treat
In 2023, the Home Alone star got into the spooky season spirit as Brenda passed out candy.
Black & White Style
The duo appeared at the GFS Fall Benefit in Santa Monica, Calif., in October 2023.
They're Getting Hitched
In January 2022, a source confirmed to E! News that Brenda and Macaulay were engaged. The actress showed off her engagement ring while stepping out in Beverly Hills.
Heart Day
"Hoppy Valentine's day everyone!" Brenda shared on Instagram in 2020, when celebrating with Macaulay in the water.
Take Me Away
While strolling through Friedrichshain in Berlin in 2018, the couple displayed some PDA by holding hands.
Proud Parents
In 2022, the couple celebrated their son Dakota's first birthday with a visit to Sesame Place San Diego. Calling it a "magical" affair, Brenda wrote on her Instagram alongside a snap of herself and Macaulay posing with Elmo, "We had so much fun!"
Birthday Bash
"Happy 40th birthday to this magical being," Brenda wrote to Macaulay on Instagram in 2020. "I could sit here and write endlessly about how wonderful, kind, loving, genuine, loyal, honest, brilliant and hilarious you are, and how grateful I am that I get to share and do this life thing with you. But firstly, that would take me an eternity and secondly, you won't even see this because you don't ever use instagram. Hahaha. My unicorn that I never thought could exist, I am luckiest person in the world because I am loved by you."
Biggest Cheerleader
"Guys, I did a podcast with my favorite bunny—podcasters and just 2 of my favorite people," Brenda shared online when supporting her boyfriend's podcast back in April 2018. "@bunnyearspodcast aaaand the one and only @mattbennett!"
Do-Gooders
Uniting for good! The Hollywood couple attended the 2018 Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telecast in Los Angeles.