Megan Hilty on Her 2 Kids Believing in Santa Claus: 'If You Want Presents, You Got to' (Exclusive)

The actress shares daughter Viola Philomena and son Ronan Laine with husband Brian Gallagher

Megan Hilty's two children are big believers in jolly Ol' Saint Nicholas.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE tied to an intimate holiday concert she is taking part in from Dec. 1 through Dec. 4 in New York City, the actress, 42, also opens up about the magic of Christmas with her two children — daughter Viola Philomena, 9, and son Ronan Laine, 6 — whom she shares with husband Brian Gallagher.

When asked if her kids believe in Santa Claus, Hilty says, "Oh yes! The thing is, at our house, if you want presents, you got to believe."

"That's what I've always heard. If you don't believe, then you stop getting presents," she adds. "So no further questions."

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Related: Megan Hilty's N.Y.C. Holiday Concert Will Feature Various Christmas Songs — Plus a Few Smash Hits (Exclusive)

This holiday season, Hilty says her son and daughter have their Christmas lists already made up and ready to send to the North Pole.

"My daughter wants roller skates, ones that light up, which gives me a panic attack a little bit because I am not a very good skater myself, so I don't know who's going to be skating with her," she says with a laugh.

"And then my son, he wants all kinds of things. ... He's really into Star Wars," Hilty continues. "He loves Legos too. So Legos and Star Wars, and he's a happy kid."

Come Christmas Day, Hilty says it has always been important to herself and her husband that they spend the holiday at their home amid busy schedules that have them traveling across the globe.

"We always make sure that we're home for Christmas Day. Ever since the kids, we're there," she details. "Even if we're traveling a whole bunch during the month, we are home for Christmas."

"I make my mom's cheesy potato casserole recipe, we always make that Christmas morning," Hilty adds. "And I have a breakfast bake that I make with it and cinnamon rolls. So that always starts off our mornings."

Related: From Tim Allen to Tom Hanks: 15 of the Most Memorable Cinematic Santas

Hilty and her family recently arrived in New York City ahead of her concert performances, where they have been taking in all the holiday magic the Big Apple has to offer.

"We got into the city last night and it was great," she tells PEOPLE. "We immediately went to Rockefeller Center and we just went to Bryant Park with the holiday shops and stuff."

"Nobody does the holidays like New York City, so this feels like the perfect place to kick off my holiday tour," Hilty adds.

Tickets for Hilty's holiday show are available to purchase here.

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