TALKING ABOUT...TURNING 60, CHERISHING EVERY DAY & Holiday Joy

with Golden Globe-winning actress, mom and advocate TERI HATCHER

- BONNIE SIEGLER

GRATITUDE IS THE TOUCHSTONE OF iconic actress Teri Hatcher's life: She is thankful that she's healthy and thriving, that she can still care for her parents and that her career is going strong with her holiday movie How to Fall in Love by Christmas making its broadcast debut on Lifetime. And having just turned 60, the former Desperate Housewives star and mom to daughter, Emerson, is feeling better than ever. “Aging for some is about looking younger than your actual age,” Teri tells FIRST. “But for me, it’s all about concentrating on the joy that every day can offer and all the good things I can make out of it. My dad has dementia, and both my parents are almost 90, and I am so lucky I can care for both of them. It reminds me we have an obligation to enjoy our lives.” Here, Teri shares her philosophy to staying confident and happy at the holidays and every day.

"Gratitude is an all-year, everyday practice for me. I try to be grateful for what I have instead of focusing on what I don't have."

WHAT BRINGS ME HOLIDAY CHEER

Sweet traditions

"Every year, I set up a Christmas town," Teri shares. "I'm also a big LEGO fan, so I have a couple of LEGO-type gingerbread houses I put together, and I watch the movie Elf while I'm decorating." For decades, Teri has also hosted a Christmas Eve sit-down dinner, complete with a white elephant gift exchange. "It's a lot of cooking, prepping and hands-on work, but it's a great way to share joy with loved ones."

MY LOVE LANGUAGE

Feeding the heart