Derek Jeter on Holiday Plans as a Family of 6 — and His Son's First Christmas: 'Best Time of Year' (Exclusive)

The baseball icon shares three daughters and a son with wife Hannah Davis Jeter

Derek Jeter is gearing up for the 2023 holiday season!

While chatting with PEOPLE about a ceremony to unveil new baseball and softball fields for young athletes at his alma mater, Kalamazoo Central High School in Michigan, the famed athlete, 49, also opens up about his family's upcoming Christmas plans.

"The holiday season is probably one of the best times of the year because you see the excitement in their faces," Jeter says, referring to his four kids: daughters River Rose, 23 months, Story Grey, 4, and Bella Raine, 6, plus son Kaius Green, 6 months — whom he shares with wife Hannah Davis Jeter.

"I want to be around family. Family has always been big to me," he continues. "[I love] getting a chance to be around family and friends during the holiday season."

The former New York Yankees player and five-time World Series champion adds: "This really is the best time of the year."

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Related: Derek Jeter's 4 Kids: Everything to Know

According to Jeter, the holiday season is filled with joy for him and his family, but it can also be a bit stressful. "It's hard for us to mobilize," he says.

"We like to do things together as a family, but we move in a pack now. It's a lot of people to move around at one time," Jeter continues.

As for their holiday plans specifically, the father of four says Thanksgiving will be spent "at home," as will Christmas, because, as Jeter explains, it "is always better since you want the kids to wake up at home."

When asked if his two oldest daughters have already begun to plan what they want to ask Santa Claus for this year, Jeter admits that Bella and Story have been well-prepared.

"They have a tough time grasping that Christmas is just in December," he says with a laugh. "We hear what they want 12 months out of the year. I don't think it's any different when Santa is coming."

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Read the original article on People.