On Grey’s Anatomy, the actors who portray our favorite doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial are not only stars, but they are also actual people with lives outside the halls of their fictional hospital. Is this obvious? Perhaps. But what time is better than this holiday season to learn a bit more about the real actors on Grey’s via a few fun questions about how they spend the coziest time of the year? Getting a small peek at these holiday traditions is a gift for us and may even inspire your own seasonal celebrations. So, happy holidays from us to you!

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Chris Carmack (who portrays Dr. Atticus “Link” Lincoln)

What do you look forward to the most during the holidays?

We have a 3-year-old, so there is still a bit of Santa magic happening in our house. Tucking the kids in on Christmas Eve after leaving the milk and cookies for Santa and seeing their excitement for Christmas morning is top-notch in my book.

Is there a special dish and/or drink you serve at every holiday function?

Christmas morning, Erin makes a French toast casserole that everyone goes crazy for.

What is a non-negotiable that you have during the holidays?

I would say that the kids don’t wake us up at 5 a.m., but let’s be honest — they do. … So, I guess everything’s negotiable.

Is there an activity that immediately gets you into the holiday spirit?

Hanging the Christmas lights on the outside of the house is usually my tipping point into full holiday mode. That and blasting the Christmas music while we are cooking dinner.

Is there something that you’ve grown up doing with your family during the holidays?

My brother used to try to sing Christmas carols as annoyingly as possible. In particular, he had a rendition of “Carol of the Bells” in which he articulated as “claaaank-claaaank-clank-clank” as loudly as he could — usually in a crowded car on the way home from a midnight Christmas service. I have shared this tradition with my daughters, who think it is the funniest thing they have ever heard. We are all now clanking our way toward Christmas with Uncle Scott’s version of “Carol of the Bells.”

Are there any special TV shows or movies that you watch during this time?

Aaaaaall the Christmas movies. I am eagerly awaiting my kids being old enough to watch Christmas Vacation with me … but until then, it’s the original Christmas Carol, Scrooged (minus the scary parts) — Spirited is a new family favorite — Elf, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, The Grinch, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, to name a few.

Is there a tradition you’ve retired or outgrown?

I guess in Los Angeles I have retired from hoping for a white Christmas.

A gift you’re tired of receiving? One you love to get?

Any gift from my kids that they have put some thought and effort into means more than anything.

Most beloved holiday song?

So many great Christmas songs, but it really wouldn’t be Christmas without Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.”

Has there ever been a time when you’ve celebrated the holidays with your Shondaland family?

Every year on set as the holidays are getting near, we have little mini holiday parties all over the set. The makeup and hair trailers are usually a great hub for those, and people go out of their way to decorate and make it festive.

Kim Raver (Dr. Teddy Altman)

What do you look forward to the most during the holidays?

Spending time with my family. It is a time when we all slow down, get off screens, and really have quality time together, sitting round the table with home-cooked meals and hearing about what is going on in everyone’s life as well as what is happening in the world.

Is there a special dish and/or drink you serve at every holiday function? 

We bake and decorate sugar cookies, plus we make a special Christmas bread.

What is a non-negotiable that you have during the holidays?

Family walks, whatever the weather.

Is there an activity that immediately gets you into the holiday spirit? 

Picking out the Christmas tree and decorating it together. I love pulling out the ornaments and reminiscing about where and when we got them and what they mean to us.

Is there something that you’ve grown up doing with your family during the holidays?

All of the above, plus putting real candles on the tree.

Are there any special TV shows or movies that you watch during this time? 

We play a lot of card and board games during the break!

A gift you’re tired of receiving? One you love to get?

Our favorite gift that we all save for last because it is our favorite is a tradition my mom has been doing since my sister and I were young: the family photo album of highlights from the last year. My mom makes and sends one to each of us!

Has there ever been a time when you’ve celebrated the holidays with your Shondaland family?

Our hardworking crew is one of the most wonderful parts of Shondaland, and when the holidays come along, I love hearing about everyone’s families and what they plan to do over the winter break!

Grey’s Anatomy returns to ABC on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10 p.m.