Zooey Deschanel: Relationships, RomComs, & the Holiday Season - Call Her Daddy Recap

Podcast: Call Her Daddy

Published: 2025-12-17

Duration: 1 hr 6 min

Summary

Zooey Deschanel joins Alex Cooper to discuss her festive holiday traditions, the importance of family celebrations, and her experiences filming iconic holiday movies. The conversation reveals her passion for Christmas decorations and the joy of watching holiday classics.

What Happened

In this episode of Call Her Daddy, Alex Cooper welcomes Zooey Deschanel, who shares her love for the holiday season and the traditions that come with it. From decorating her home to celebrating with family, Zooey describes herself as a traditionalist who goes all out for the holidays. She emphasizes the importance of creating a winter wonderland, especially in anticipation of future family gatherings when she has kids. They discuss the various themes of the trees she decorates, with Zooey mentioning, "downstairs in our like main areas, we have two trees and they're kind of themed. They're a little different every year." This commitment to festive decor shows her dedication to making the season special for her family.

The conversation takes a fun turn when they discuss holiday movies. Zooey reveals that one of her favorite films to watch each year is "Die Hard," which surprises Alex. They both reminisce about their own holiday movie traditions, with Alex mentioning her love for "Elf," a film Zooey starred in at just 21 years old. Zooey shares an interesting tidbit about her casting in "Elf," explaining how she initially thought she wouldn't get the role since it was offered to Katie Holmes first. However, she ended up auditioning and eventually landing the part, which has since become iconic. The episode wraps with a light-hearted discussion about the quirks of hosting holiday gatherings, highlighting the fun and sometimes chaotic nature of festive celebrations.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

What are Zooey Deschanel's holiday traditions?

Zooey describes herself as a traditionalist during the holiday season, emphasizing her love for family gatherings and festive activities. She enjoys singing Christmas carols and decorating her home extensively. She shares that they go all out with decorations, mentioning, "we decorate like big. We go big." She is focused on creating a magical atmosphere for her family, especially looking forward to when she has kids.

How does Zooey Deschanel decorate her Christmas trees?

Zooey shares that her home features multiple trees, each with a unique theme. For example, she mentions that the living room tree had a champagne theme last year, while this year it leans towards gingerbread. Additionally, she has trees in her children's playroom where her kids can decorate them however they want, showcasing her commitment to involving her family in the festive spirit.

What is Zooey Deschanel's favorite holiday movie?

During the episode, Zooey surprises Alex by stating that one of her must-watch holiday films is 'Die Hard.' This revelation sparks a lively conversation about holiday movie traditions and preferences. While Zooey enjoys 'Die Hard,' Alex shares her love for 'Elf,' highlighting the contrasting yet beloved holiday films that both actresses appreciate.

What was Zooey's experience filming 'Elf'?

Zooey reflects on her early career and the experience of filming 'Elf' at 21 years old. She reveals that she initially thought the role was offered to Katie Holmes, but after a discussion with the director, she ended up auditioning without the pressure of having to compete for the role. This relaxed approach allowed her to deliver a memorable performance that has become a holiday classic.

What are Zooey Deschanel's hosting styles during the holidays?

Zooey mentions that she enjoys hosting holiday dinners, particularly on Christmas Eve, and is always excited to bring family together. She shares a humorous anecdote about attempting to create a festive atmosphere by burning cinnamon sticks, which led to confusion among her guests. This highlights her passion for hosting and the fun, sometimes chaotic nature of family gatherings during the holiday season.