Michelle Obama Jokes About Husband Barack’s ‘Cheap’ Gift Preferences and Holiday Traditions
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Michelle Obama reflected on her family’s Christmas traditions and opened up about the challenge of finding the perfect gift for her husband, former President Barack Obama. During a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show set to air Tuesday, December 17, the former first lady humorously described Barack as “cheap” and notoriously difficult to shop for.
Michelle, 60, shared that her husband’s low-key habits and lack of interest in material things make holiday gifting particularly frustrating. “I mean, he just doesn’t do much,” she told host Jennifer Hudson. “He golfs, and there’s only so many golf clubs you could get a dude.”
She continued with a laugh, “I already got the clubs, I can’t get him another golf shirt. He’s really hard and he doesn’t want anything.” Michelle, married to Barack for 32 years, revealed that even a heartfelt note would suffice for the former POTUS. Still, she admitted trying to surprise him with items he wouldn’t typically buy for himself. “I’m trying to get him clothes that he wouldn’t buy, you know, ’cause he’s also cheap,” she said jokingly, per Daily Mail.
Recalling one particularly frustrating moment, Michelle described a time she splurged on an expensive jacket for Barack, only to have him question the cost. “He was like, ‘Why’d you spend this much on a jacket?’” Michelle recounted, stunned. “I was like, ‘That’s what a gift is!’”
The former first lady also declared herself the MVP of holiday preparations, claiming she’s the best gift-giver in the family. “I’m the one who organizes all the gift-giving,” Michelle said. “I make sure that all the kids we know are covered, I’ve got my list. I’m the one that makes Christmas happen.”
In the interview, Michelle fondly reflected on her family’s Christmas tradition of spending the holidays in Hawaii, where Barack was raised. “You know, my husband grew up in Hawaii—one of the reasons why I married him,” she joked, adding with a grin, “He got a lot cuter when I found out he was from Hawaii. I was like, ‘Oh, OK.’”
Michelle explained that since their daughters, Sasha and Malia, were young, Hawaii has been their Christmas destination. “We do Thanksgiving with my family, but for Christmas, since the girls were little, we’ve been going to Hawaii,” she said. “His family is there, and now it’s his sister, my nieces, and a bunch of friends who’ve been joining us for years. We head to the island for a little sun.”
With her signature wit and warmth, Michelle Obama reminded audiences of the balance of humor, love, and family traditions that have shaped her life with the former president.
