Holidaze

Pope Francis' Christmas message was loud and clear from the Vatican -- he condemned greed in all forms ... citing Jesus as the exact opposite of that, downright destitute.

The pontiff delivered his Christmas Eve homily in Rome on Saturday ... and the overarching theme was decrying what he sees as a power-hungry society that's far too focused on consumerism and collecting wealth ... especially at the expense of others.

PF said, "While animals feed in their stalls, men and women in our world, in their hunger for wealth and power, consume even their neighbors, their brothers and sisters. How many wars have we seen! And in how many places, even today, are human dignity and freedom treated with contempt!"

He added, "As always, the principal victims of this human greed are the weak and the vulnerable."

Pope Francis went on to invoke JC's humble beginnings to hit his point home, explaining ... "This Christmas, too, as in the case of Jesus, a world ravenous for money, power and pleasure does not make room for the little ones, for the so many unborn, poor and forgotten children. I think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice."

He also said that Jesus' birth in a manger proves that "the true riches in life are to be found: not in money and power, but in relationships and persons." The Pope said this to a group of about 7,000 worshippers who flocked to attend the mass that Francis presided over.

He ended with, "Dear brothers, dear sisters, at Christmas, God is poor: let charity be reborn!" PF also encouraged folks to “not let this Christmas pass without doing something good."

Aaron Carter's memory will be honored this holiday season -- thanks to his fiancée, Melanie Martin, who's keeping his spirit alive with a number of tributes as Christmas fast approaches.

Sources close to Melanie tell TMZ ... she is still very much mourning the death of her fiancé, and that this first Christmas without him is, no doubt, going to be incredibly difficult -- especially since last year's was so full of joy as they shared time with their son.

With that said, we're told Melanie is going to pay tribute to her son's father in a variety of different ways during the holiday -- via gifts, decorations and even a home-cooked meal.

For starters, we're told Melanie has put together a scrapbook full of pictures of Aaron, herself and their kid ... which, while not totally complete, will be placed under her tree for him. Speaking of presents, she also got something for young Prince -- with AC in mind.

It's a child-sized dirt bike, which Melanie gave to Prince early this year ... and which has a direct tie to Aaron -- who loved to ride himself. Our sources say Melanie believes Aaron would've given Prince something like this at some point ... so no better time than now.

On top of that, we're told Melanie was gifted a custom ornament in honor of Aaron that she's putting on her tree as well -- a wing-shaped trinket with Aaron's name engraved on it.

There's also the matter of food, which we're told was big for Aaron around this time of the year. In 2021, our sources say he cooked up a feast for Melanie and her family -- which included Kobe beef ... so this year, we're told, she's preparing a similar meal as a tribute.

As we reported ... Melanie has been able to regain custody of Prince in the wake of Aaron's sudden passing -- and it sounds like she's doing everything she can to cope with his loss.

He was 34.

The Apple doesn't fall far from the tree -- and in Gwyneth Paltrow's case ... we mean that literally, especially after seeing these shots of them hitting the beach for the holidays.

The actress flew down to Barbados just ahead of Christmas this week, and it seems she and her brood are enjoying a sun-kissed winter season in the Caribbean -- perfect for taking a dip, which she and the rest of the crew did ... 18-year-old Apple Martin included.

GP's one and only daughter was tagging along with mom ... and just like Gwyneth, Apple was also rocking a two-piece bikini for their splash-fest in the water.

Gotta say ... both Gwyneth and Apple look really good, from the front and the back! Definitely better than what a lot of us can say around this time of the year -- when the eggnog is flowing and the stuffed turkey is making its way around nonstop.

Now, there were other people in their group that we can't quite identify -- including an older man who was with them, but definitely wasn't GP's hubby, Brad Falchuck. It might be grandpa or something ... but in any case, it looks like a sweet vacation getaway.

Darlene Love is feeling the love this holiday season ... her shows have sold out after getting blessings from Mariah Carey, who anointed her the ultimate Queen of Christmas.

Darlene's rep, Len Evans, tells TMZ ... Darlene hasn't personally spoken to MC since all the social media banter about who should hold the title as the Xmas Queen, but she couldn't be happier after Mariah gave her her flowers.

ICYMI, Mariah posted a heartfelt IG post to honor Darlene ... handing her the title, Queen of Christmas.

Darlene's team says the acknowledgment helped sell out all 11 of her holiday shows! Some of those fans have divided loyalty between her and Mariah ... underscoring there's enough love to go around for both.

One fan messaged her saying ... "I wasn’t a fan before and never heard of you but if Mariah says you’re the Queen of Christmas then I’m a fan."

There's been a lot of back and forth over the QOC title after Mariah Carey filed to trademark the phrase, which was rejected. It didn't sit right with Darlene, who felt anyone should be free to use the term, including herself.

Darlene's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is a holiday hit, and ditto to her versions of "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and her 'Home Alone 2' track, "All Alone on Christmas."

Kodak Black’s generosity sprouted all through NYC this week with a holiday giveaway -- and there's been even more Christmas cheer coming the kids’ way!!!

Kodak’s attorney Bradford Cohen tells TMZ Hip Hip … Kodak’s recent trek through Times Square saw 2,000 toys given to underprivileged kids as part of his ongoing charity work.

The toys weren’t trinkets either … we’re told pricey electronic gadgets such as iPads and AirPods were placed in the grab bags, as well as other gifts.

NYPD provided security to ensure everything went smoothly ... and it did!!! After all, Kodak loves the kids.

Bradford says Kodak's sleigh continued through Fulton County, Georgia on Friday ... where he gave out an additional 1,000 toys and jackets to underprivileged kids.

We've all heard of No Shave November, but this 'Decembeard,' we take a look at some of your fave stars and ask ... are they better off with a buzz or a little fuzz?

Fans might remember Jonah Hill with no facial hair, but things have certainly changed. He's been rockin' a full-blown blonde beard ... you be the judge!

Up next is Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino ... he's grown a ton of hair and he's also been really bare.

We gotta know ... is he better buzzed or fuzzed?

Of course we've gotta ask about "Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness. He's had a head full of hair for as long as we can remember ... as far as hair on the face, which look's your favorite?

Nyheim Hines is ready to be both Josh Allen AND Santa's helper this Saturday ... the Bills running back just copped some awesome cleats for Buffalo's Christmas Eve game -- that are elf-themed!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the tailback -- who was traded to the Bills in November -- wanted a Xmas design on his feet to celebrate the holiday during the pregame of Buffalo's tilt with Chicago. So, he hit up his main cleat artist Rodney Jackson for the hookup ... and, as always, the guy delivered.

Jackson customized a pair of Adidas spikes for the 26-year-old ... wrapping the kicks in green velvet material -- just like Santa's elves. The shoes also feature red trimming all over -- plus jingle bells.

The design was all Jackson's idea ... and we're told it only took about two hours to put together, despite a need to finesse the curvy toes.

"I cut elf slippers and added a lil' more stuffing [to the cleats], glued it, sewed it, and added new bells to it," Jackson said.

Of course, this won't be the first Xmas weekend game Hines has been swagged out for ... last year, when he was an Indianapolis Colt, he wore Jackson-made furry Grinch pre-game cleats.

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of year -- but not if you've got to travel this holiday season -- 'cause extreme weather has rocked the U.S. and canceled thousands of flights in the process.

Parts of the country have experienced everything from hurricane-strength winds to blizzards and a bomb cyclone ... causing power outages in nearly 1.5 million homes.

The Midwest has been hit hard with freezing cold weather, and some of those temperatures are said to get even colder than temps on Mars!!!

The winter weather has caused nearly 2/3 of the U.S. to be placed under a winter weather alert.

Of course, this weather isn't ideal for folks trying to get home for the holidays ... more than 3,000 flights have been already been delayed or canceled around the country on Friday morning alone.

From NYC to Chicago the winter weather is wreaking havoc in the U.S. ... and the worst is supposedly still to come.

In Seattle, people were taking to the streets to ice skate during one of the worst ice storms the city has seen in years.

A local Iowa news broadcaster was EXTREMELY bent out of shape over his assignment -- covering the blizzard -- and he let his bosses know on live TV -- and it's hilarious.

KWWL reporter Mark Woodley was dispatched onto the snow-covered streets in Waterloo, IA, during Thursday's hours-long morning show. Right from the get-go, Woodley had a 'tude, snarkily delivering a weather report about the sub-zero temps.

He kicked things off this way ..."I normally do sports, uh, everything is canceled here for the next couple of days so what better time to ask the sports guy to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up and go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold and tell other people not to do the same."

It gets funnier ... Woodley joked that a co-worker named Clint cut a better deal because he's allowed to stay warm in the Storm Chaser vehicle. "I feel like Clint got the better end of that deal. That thing's heated. The outdoors currently is not heated."

Woodley also cracked this doozy ... "This is a really long show. Tune in for the next couple hours to watch me progressively get crankier and crankier."

He wasn't done yet ... "I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that I can still feel my face. The bad news is I kind of wish I couldn't."

Hours later, Woodley couldn't take it anymore and addressed the TV host named Ryan, who was enjoying the warm studio ... "Can I go back to my regular job? I'm pretty sure Ryan that you guys added an extra hour to this show because somebody likes torturing me."

One thing's for sure ... Woodley should try stand-up comedy -- after he warms up with some hot chocolate.

Nick Cannon was spending some quality time with one of his kids and his baby mama, who put up a heartwarming post about it -- just hours after many believe she was throwin' some SERIOUS shade at Nick.

Model LaNisha Cole -- mother to 3-month-old Onyx -- took to social media Thursday, showing Nick and her taking their kiddo to "her first class" ... saying "Co parenting is a breeze when you see eye to eye."

It's a pretty sweet post ... but Lanisha put up a lengthy post less than a day prior, seemingly about Nick -- talking about being "surrounded by so much love - and it's not fake IG photo op love - it's real day in and day out love."

FYI -- she said this as Nick was featured in Christmas posts with some of his other kids by moms Abby De La Rosa and Bre Tiesi.

She also wrote about putting herself through unnecessary heartbreak -- and talked about getting out of "toxic relationships."

It's a doozy of a post ... and while it's unclear who specifically she's referring to, many online are betting on a connection to Nick.

Justin Bieber is about to get a massive holiday bonus ... and he's already spending some of the money that's seemingly coming his way.

The singer and his wife Hailey splurged on Thursday, going shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills ... on the heels of reports emerging that Justin is nearing a roughly $200 million deal to sell his entire music catalog.

Justin's looking like someone who is about to cash in big-time ... evidenced by the huge grin on his face. The couple chowed down before going shopping, and Justin brought a coffee along with him.

Remember ... the Wall Street Journal is reporting Justin is closing in on a deal to sell his recorded music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for about $200 million.

So the Biebs has money to spend ... just in time for some last-minute holiday shopping.

Best teammate ever?!?

Isaiah McKenzie just threw his hat into the ring for that title in the NFL ... 'cause the Bills wideout gifted his fellow receivers custom arcade game machines for the holidays -- and they're awesome!!

McKenzie shared the presents with his guys on Thursday ... and you can see in video of the goodies, they're decked out in Bills colors -- with the players' pictures and jersey numbers on them too.

Isaiah got a machine for Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Tanner Gentry, Jameson Crowder, and Khalil Shakir, plus one for himself. He also made sure to grab one for the team's WR coach, Chad Hall.

Each one had a bow on it -- and when the guys saw them, they went crazy.

"My boy got us right!!" Davis said. "Appreciate u my boy!!"

Added Shakir, "Real one big bro!! Appreciate you."

The arcade game machines come equipped with the popular NFL Blitz series already on it -- something the players made sure to ask about -- and over 9,600 other games.

It's been a generous week for many around The Shield ... both Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen helped hook up some of their teammates with scooters -- while Patrick Mahomes gifted several Chiefs with golf clubs.

Not bad presents at all ... but even those guys gotta admit it's no match for a classic arcade game machine.

Move over, Santa Claus ... Aaron Rodgers, Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos just won Christmas in Green Bay -- gifting some of their Packers teammates with souped-up scooters!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the trio of GB stars came together this month to collectively purchase 22 of the electric rides for some of their fellow locker mates.

The PHAT Rides scooters were all given to the Packers players this week -- and they're awesome ... featuring the ability to zoom around at speeds of up to 20 MPH.

The scooters have been popular gifts around the NFL this year ... Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen also copped 11 of the rides for his offensive line this week.

We're told PHAT Rides painted the floorboards of Allen's presents in Bills colors ... and added each player's jersey number.

PHAT Rides says each scooter can hold up to about 400 pounds, by the way ... so, yeah, even the big boys can get around on them just fine.

As for the price tags on the units ... no word on what the football players formally dropped, but each scooter will cost the public around $3,500 apiece.

Of course, that ain't much to dudes like Allen and Rodgers -- who own two of the biggest NFL contracts in history.

Christmas in Harlem came early this year thanks to DJ Webstar’s holiday drive … and A$AP Ferg wasn’t afraid to use a lil’ elbow grease to put together the bikes for the toy giveaway!!!

Ferg flexed his skills as a Harlem youth … personally assembling the new bikes he donated to the Dunlevy Milbank Community Center.

The “Plain Jane” rapper even joked about how kids have more tools for their toys these days — but his efforts went to a great cause.

Ferg’s fellow Harlemite rap star Dave East also supported the event sponsored by TIDAL and GAP … as did fashion legend Dapper Dan, who was honored with a Certificate of Recognition from both NYC & Mayor Eric Adams for 20 Years of Service uplifting members of his community.

The Kardashians put on their Santa hats for dozens of moms and their kids in need this holiday season -- paying for them to get dolled up and showered with gifts just in time for Christmas.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Kris, Kim and Khloe planned a very special day for the moms and kids being cared for by Alexandria House -- an L.A.-based nonprofit that provides safe, transitional housing for women/children moving on from emergency shelter.

As part of the seasonal treat, we're told the mothers were pampered at the behest of the Kardashians ... receiving makeovers from Glam Squad in the morning, and even getting free professional family portrait sessions from Larissa Block and Diana Henderson they could do with their own kiddos.

Not just that, but our sources tell us the Kardashians also arranged for the 2 shelter homes where the ladies and their kids stay to be decked out with Xmas lights from Christian Smith Lighting. They were all treated to a holiday dinner as well by the evening.

The Kardashians showed face, too, with in-person visits to the AH houses from Kim, Khloe and their daughters, North and True as well as Rob's daughter, Dream. We're told they mingled with volunteer staff and others, then handed out presents to the residents.

We're told the gifts were valued at over $5,000 per family -- with Google Chrome laptops, Skims, Good American gift cards, Kylie Skin and cosmetics, Safely candles, Beats studio buds, Hasbro toys, pajamas from PJ Place, Squishmallows, gift cards for shoes from Vans and Stuart Weitzman, Lego sets and more.

This, our sources say, is on top of a 6-figure donation that was privately made by the Kardashians earlier this week.

Britney Spears isn't missing, in trouble or dead as growing fan theories might suggest -- in fact, it's quite the opposite -- TMZ has learned.

Britney fans have been on high alert in the last several weeks, monitoring her social media posts and even the movement of her family members around the country. There's also concern someone took over Britney's Instagram as fans believe it's only posting old content.

Britney even told her fans she was traveling to NYC, which raised red flags when there were no paparazzi photos from her alleged visit to The Big Apple.

Sources close to the singer tell us ... she only said she was going to NYC to throw people off -- she and her hubby Sam Asghari were actually vacationing in Mexico. Not to mention, our sources say the shower video posted on Brit's IG last week was shot in Mexico, and wasn't old or recycled content.

Fans also became concerned when both of Britney's parents arrived in Los Angeles last week -- wondering if maybe something had happened to the singer. Our sources say Jamie and Lynne Spears were in town because Britney's niece (her brother Bryan's daughter) was in a Christmas production -- "The Nutcracker" -- and they just came to see her perform.

So things are OK on the Western Front.