When we think of iconic '90s sitcom stars, Melissa Joan Hart is in a class all her own. Whether you grew up watching "Clarissa Explains It All" or "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," the American actress and director was front and center in our living rooms for nearly a decade.
Since then, the 49-year-old actress and mother of three has starred in a number of Christmas movies, including her most recent Netflix rom-com, "A Merry Little Ex-Mas." She's also continuing to share her love for family and the holidays by exploring her genealogical roots by partnering with Ancestry.
"What better gift to give at the holidays than to connect with family and to go deeper into our history and just learn more about where you come from and the journey that your relatives took [with Ancestry]," explains Hart.
When it comes to embracing holiday traditions, Hart says she tends to go overboard. "I partake in all of the traditions, but I'm trying to simplify and try to make it more about the family and the joy and the cheer and the hope, but that can be kind of hard to find with all the wrapping gifts and lights," she admits. "I mean for me, my tradition that I love is before you go downstairs to see Santa, we used to (as kids) have to wait at the top of the stairs and mom and dad would have to go check to see if he came. One time, we had to go back to bed because Santa hadn't come yet."
Hart and her husband have continued to pass on this touching tradition with their three sons, and she couldn't be happier. "I think that anticipation of waiting on top of the stairs is better than even when you see it," she says.
Speaking of excitement, we couldn't contain our own when asking Hart if she'd ever reprise her role as Sabrina. “I wouldn’t say no unless it was not a good concept," she tells us. "I would want it to be really smart and come back in a really good way and know how we’re going to get out again. I think the ending of a show is so important, and if you end a show badly, there’s no coming back from that. I would have to know how it starts and how it ends.”
We're not the only ones who love old sitcoms and TV from the 90s. "I'm still going back to the old school sitcoms. We're on 'Friends,' we're on 'Seinfeld,' we're on 'How I Met Your Mother.' I saw Alyson Hannigan at the 'Dancing with the Stars' anniversary the other day and I just grabbed her, and said, 'It's been like twenty years, but I see you every night.' People used to say to me, 'I grew up with you,' now I get a lot of 'I go to bed with you.'"
Her ideal TGIF lineup? "It would be 'Rules of Engagement,' 'Friends,' 'Seinfeld' and 'Cheers,'" she explains. "I want that old sitcom stuff."
Below, as part of our shopping diaries series, Hart shares her go-to stocking stuffers, skin care staples and her nostalgic comfy shoe.
Shopping Diaries: Melissa Joan Hart
Her No. 1 gift for the holidays:
When it comes to the best gift to receive this Christmas, Ancestry gifts are at the top of Hart’s list. “I think it’s just a great gift and the holidays should be about family,” she shares. This classic kit not only tells you which countries you're from but can also pinpoint specific ancestral journeys and provides geographic details about your history, according to the brand.
Her go-to stocking stuffer:
With the holidays right around the corner, affordable stocking stuffers are top of mind. "One thing everyone always needs is fuzzy socks," Hart suggests. "You always have to have fuzzy socks in the stocking and lots of candy canes."
While she didn't specify which comfy socks she loves, these ones from Zando are Shop TODAY editor-tested and are made of premium soft fabric.
The gift for any football fan:
Hart, who recently attended a Philadelphia Eagles game, says when it comes to what she’s shopping for her boys, it’s all about football. “Everything in our house is jerseys and footballs,” she shares. “Everything this Christmas will probably be football related, whether it’s college, NFL or high school, it’s going to be football.”
We love this bestselling winter accessory set that is perfect for repping your team while staying warm during the colder months. Not an Eagles fan? No worries! This seasonal set comes in 20+ NFL team themes and colors.
Her one-stop solution for brighter skin:
“With being outside in the cold with the wind and the heat blasting on you, I’ve just been really dehydrated,” she mentions. Hart, who has a partnership with the skin care brand Bliss, swears by this hydrating serum that she uses "once or twice a day," she says. Formulated with vitamin C and glycerin, this brightening cream boosts elasticity and is suitable for all skin types.
Her tried-and-true skin care staple:
It's no secret that Hart has great skin. When it comes to her regular skin care routine, she recommends this buzzworthy exfoliator. "I love, love, love Il Makiage," raves Hart. "I love their makeup products and also [this] power scrub. [I use it] twice a week in the shower just scrubbing with it. I love that stuff."
Her nostalgic comfy shoe:
We've witnessed countless '90s fashion trends make a resurgence over the past few years, but when it comes to the actress's favorite nostalgic item that's back, it's "Doc Marten military boots!" Hart says. "After Covid, we all started wearing flats more and it became more acceptable to wear flats.” She also refers to these classic boots as her "go-to comfy shoe" and says some of the brand's dressier options may even be "holiday party appropriate."
