Kim Kardashian and Kanye West might not be celebrating holidays together anymore, but one cherished tradition started by Kanye still lives on—for the sake of their kids. While West spent December 2024 touring Tokyo with his wife, Bianca Censori, Kardashian stayed in California, ensuring their four children, North (11), Saint (8), Chicago (6), and Psalm (5), experienced the magic of Christmas.
The Skims mogul continued the beloved tradition of having Grammy-winning pianist Philip Cornish play Christmas songs every morning in December at her Calabasas home. Cornish, Kanye’s musical director since 2019, became part of the family holiday routine at West’s insistence. Initially hesitant about the idea, Kardashian grew to love it as much as her kids, who wake up each morning to festive music.
“Kanye believed it was a peaceful and magical way to add something special to the holidays,” an insider revealed. “Even though Kim didn’t think it was necessary at first, she saw how much joy it brought to the kids—and even to herself.”
Cornish, now a staple in the Kardashian household during the holidays, reportedly gets paid a lump sum in the six-figure range for his musical cheer. The Kardashians also treat him to holiday gifts and meals, making him feel like part of the family. He’s even been teaching North piano lessons, strengthening his bond with the children.
While keeping the tradition alive, Kardashian faced challenges planning the holidays around West’s unpredictable schedule. According to sources, coordinating time for the kids to see their dad has been frustrating, especially with ongoing tensions between West and Kardashian’s family, including Kris Jenner.
Adding to her struggles, Kardashian recently opened up about feeling like a single parent. “Kanye is sadly not around very much,” a source told People. “She’s pretty much doing it all on her own.” Despite having nannies and resources, Kardashian has admitted that parenting four kids often feels overwhelming.
Still, she continues to prioritize her children’s happiness, even maintaining traditions started by her ex-husband. For Kim, it’s all about creating memories her kids will cherish forever, no matter the circumstances.
