Holidaze

Props to this man who saved this poor deer stranded on a frozen reservoir ... with the daring rescue caught on video.

Gil Lencour was heading home for a lunch break Tuesday in Wisconsin Rapids when he noticed the deer struggling in the middle of a frozen reservoir. The quick-thinking dude zoomed home to grab a leash and called a buddy for an assist.

Gil says when he got to the deer it was clear the leash wouldn't do the trick. his backup plan was the ol' heave ho ... pushing the deer as it glided to solid ground.  The deer suffers from bad manners -- it did not turn around to say "Thanks" before scampering into the woods.

Gil's buddy, John Moss, began recording after it became apparent John had the situation under control.

Ariana Grande's spreading the Xmas joy at home and abroad ... by surprising kids who are spending the holiday at children's hospitals in L.A. and the UK.

The singer, along with her fiance, Dalton Gomez, sent gifts from wish lists at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Over in the UK ... Ariana dished out $135 Amazon gift cards for kids at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Ariana has shown her generosity to families in Manchester following the attack at her concert back in 2017 ... she's visited kids in Manchester hospitals, among other kind gestures.

The staff over at UCLA also got a little something ... they were all treated to pizza!

Kelli Carroll, director of the Chase Child Life program at UCLA, says, "This pandemic may have changed how we do things, but we look for the same result – to alleviate the stresses of hospitalization and bring joy to our kids."  Well, Ariana certainly did her part.

Santa is super busy today traveling here and there, so it's good to know he's being COVID-safe.

Our intrepid team analyzed the NORAD Santa website ... which allows millions of kids to track Saint Nick's progress as he traverses the globe. He's already visited the International Space Station. BTW ... he's traveling at 10,000 mph, less than half the speed of that asteroid headed for Earth.

Well, this year something's a little different -- Santa's all masked up!!!

In case you're wondering, at 9 AM PT Thursday, Santa was in the Maldives, near India. Estimates are Santa has delivered more than 2 billion presents already! Important to note, we don't think Santa has a deal with Amazon, so Bezos won't get any richer.

As we reported, Dr. Anthony Fauci said this past weekend he gave Santa the Pfizer vaccine, so he's Santa safe.

Jacob Blake will be surrounded by his family for the holidays, and he'll need their support ... because his recovery from the police shooting remains difficult and painful.

Jacob's uncle, Justin Blake, tells TMZ ... the family is ecstatic to have him home in Illinois so they can celebrate Kwanzaa. For over a month now, Jacob's been recovering there while continuing spinal cord rehab at a nearby facility. It's the same rehab center where he's been since October when he was released from the hospital.

Remember, Jacob's paralyzed from the waist down but through rehab, he's regained some upper body strength. We're told he's still in pain and figuring out how to readjust to life. We're told he's managing as best he can, and having his family's support has been instrumental.

Justin says Jacob's parents are undoubtedly happy he's still with them for the holidays but they worry about the pain he's facing every day.

As we reported ... Jacob's father, Jacob Sr., said it'd be a miracle if his son ever got to walk again after a cop in Kenosha, WI shot him 7 times in the back in August.

Britney Spears' got a jump on gift giving this year as she got in some quality time with her kids before Christmas Day ... TMZ has learned.

The singer spent a few hours on both Monday and Tuesday with Jayden and Sean ... according to our sources. No word on how their gift exchange went down, but can't imagine the boys left empty-handed. For her part, we're told Brit was thrilled to have the time with them.

We're told Jayden and Sean returned back to their dad Kevin Federline's home afterward -- and they'll be with him for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Last year, it was Britney's turn to have the kiddos to herself on the 24th.

Of course, Kevin has primary custody of both children ... Britney cares for them about 30 percent of the time -- something that's been in place for a while now. While many wondered if her #FreeBritney saga would affect visitation ... we've learned it hasn't, and the boys are seeing their mom as regularly as they always have.

In the meantime ... Britney and her dad, Jamie, are still locked in a court battle over her conservatorship. She's made it clear she wants him to step down and hand over the reins.

Before this pint-sized Santa was gifting the world with his hilarious acting chops and wild wrestling antics he was just an adorable little boy ready for the holiday season growing up in Northern California.

Although the kid in this Saint Nick pic is cute and little ... he grew up to be a massive star ... with a height of 6 feet 5 inches and weighing in at 260 pounds of muscle and charisma.

If you're still struggling to guess who this Christmas kid turned into maybe you should check out some of his epic action films including "Jumanji" and "San Andreas."

Kirk Cameron took his anti-mask Xmas caroling on the road again, but this time he encountered protesters who were enraged by the flaunting of COVID precautions.

The "Growing Pains" star got around 100 people to descend on The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks -- just outside of L.A. -- and there was no social distancing and hardly any masks in sight.

Some folks who saw the display voiced their displeasure in their cars and on foot, some confronting the carolers.  It looked tense as the carolers got in the face of at least one protester.

Kirk gets on the megaphone and tells the crowd, "We live in a free land, regardless of what they are trying to do. The liberty we have from Christ that no one can take away."

The message is a little complicated. We know Cameron has been railing on Governor Gavin Newsom's COVID shutdowns -- something that has caused a lot of head-scratching in determining why certain businesses were ordered shut while others remained open.

But, as for the masks and social distancing ... well, if Kirk thinks that's an assault on democracy, he's gotta bone up on history because there are an untold number of restrictions on "liberty" for health and safety reasons.

There was a stand where carolers were handing out "mask exemption badges." It's theatre, but given the explosion of COVID cases and deaths, it ain't funny.

The folks who run The Oaks said this ... "We continue to share our community's concerns over these irresponsible - yet constitutionally protected - events and have law enforcement on property. We reached out to the organizer to ask that the event be moved."

New Jersey-born child actor Yvonne Zima was only 7 years old when she was cast as the wishful little sister Sarah Jackson -- who is the reason that her brother has to endure Christmas every day -- in the 1996 holiday movie "Christmas Every Day."

Yvonne shared the screen on the holiday classic with Robert Hays and Bess Armstrong as the caring parents ... and of course Erik von Detten as the older brother.

Yvonne's older sister, Madeline Zima, is also a famous face in Hollywood and was cast as Grace in "The Nanny" and Mia Lewis on "Californication."

Travis Scott is making sure kids in his old neighborhood have a safe and happy holiday ... hooking them up with toys, Christmas trees, food and more.

His Travis Scott x Cactus Jack Foundation held a holiday toy drive Tuesday at Sunnyside Park in Houston -- where Travis grew up -- giving away 2,000 toys to 1,000 elementary school students.

Travis' foundation really put the "drive" in toy drive. In order to keep it COVID-safe ... families, residents and school teachers drove through for the free toys, food, blankets, PPE gear and yes, even Christmas trees.

Sounds like no expense was spared ... the toys were from Mattel, and local celeb hot spot Turkey Leg Hut provided the free grub. Travis also had a special little helper, Stormi was there to make sure things were running without a hitch.

2,000 folks chowed down on the grub ... Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Reps. Al Green and Sheila Jackson attended, along with a couple City Council members.

Santa Scott!!!

The man who went into cardiac arrest on a United flight 8 days ago had COVID, but the airline still hasn't notified passengers and says it's not their responsibility.

As TMZ reported, the Jefferson Parish Medical Examiner in Louisiana determined the 69-year-old man had COVID and died of respiratory failure. During the medical emergency on the flight from Orlando to L.A., the man's wife was heard saying her husband was suffering from COVID symptoms -- shortness of breath and a loss of taste and smell. He apparently didn't tell the truth before boarding and didn't disclose his symptoms.

United has still not notified the 179 passengers on board. A spokesperson for the airline tells TMZ they are not medical professionals so they can't make COVID determinations. The spokesperson said they have been in touch with the CDC and given them the flight manifest. The spokesperson says it's up to the CDC to contact passengers who may have been exposed.

We asked why the airline wouldn't immediately tell the passengers someone on the plane had COVID symptoms and, since he was in distress for nearly an hour before the emergency landing, wouldn't it be advisable to tell passengers so they could make decisions like staying away from elderly relatives during the Christmas holidays. The response ... they're not medical professionals so it's not up to them.

The spokesperson said they didn't know for nearly a week the passenger had COVID so they couldn't make any determination, but they clearly knew the guy had symptoms.

Many private companies notify their employees directly when they suspect someone in the office might be COVID-positive, so why not the airlines?

You've seen Conor McGregor's dolly-throwing attack on Khabib Nurmagomedov ... but have you seen it in GINGERBREAD FORM?!?!

Thanks to UFC fighter Angela Hill, the infamous moment in MMA history has taken a delicious turn ... and we gotta admit, it's impressive as hell!!!

Remember, Conor and his buddies went crazy at Barclays Center in Brooklyn in April 2018 ... throwing objects at the bus filled with fighters, including Khabib, Michael Chiesa and Rose Namajunas.

Hill and her husband, Adam, decided to pay tribute to the wild moment with their gingerbread house this year ... creating the scene complete with a bus, a dolly-wielding Conor, an angry Dana White, Khabib and Artem Lobov.

The thing is incredible ... and even detailed down to each fighter's face.

"Adam drew all the faces but Conor and the whole thing is made from gingerbread, icing, chocolate for the dolly and candy!," Angela said on Instagram.

As for how long it took to make the masterpiece ... it sounds like a REALLY long time.

"Adam and I spent longer than I’d like to admit making this beautiful #gingerbreadhouse highlighting an important moment in mma history."

21 Savage surprised a bunch of kids and their families when he played secret Santa ... giving them exactly what they wanted from their Christmas wish lists.

The rapper and his Leading By Example Foundation hooked up over 30 kids from the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA in DeKalb County, GA for some much-needed relief and joy.

Lorna Loh, the Executive Director at that YMCA, tells TMZ ... last week the kids were asked to write letters to Santa with their wish lists. Unbeknownst to the kiddos -- and their families -- the YMCA staff went on a shopping spree and bought everything on their lists ... courtesy of 21 Savage and the foundation.

Some of the most popular items requested were LOL surprise dolls, Legos and Hot Wheels. The kids who benefited are in the YMCA's virtual learning program ... many of whom are on financial assistance, so you know this gesture went a long way.

Then, on Monday, parents brought the kids to the YMCA where the surprise was revealed. The kids were stunned, to say the least. Parents also got a surprise ... the foundation provided each of them with 12 lb. turkeys along with the sides and trimmings for a true Christmas feast.

Yes, social distancing was practiced similar to Prince Jackson's shopping spree.

21 Savage was not at the occasion but his presence certainly was felt. He's also no stranger to the YMCA -- last Thanksgiving he was there to serve 300 Thanksgiving meals to needy families.

Prince Jackson brought 25 kids to Mattel for a shopping spree and told them ... don't stop 'til you get enough!!!

Michael Jackson's son, along with his Heal L.A. Foundation, gifted 25 underprivileged kids $150 to spend on themselves and their families, just in time for Christmas. The shopping spree went down at Mattel's headquarters near LAX ... and the kids were grinning from ear to ear as it all unfolded.

The kids got to pick anything they wanted from the toy inventory ... from Baby Yodas and Barbies to Polly Pockets and on and on. And, get this ... if whatever was rung up at the register totaled more than $150, Mattel automatically activated a 50% off coupon.

Prince really gets into the spirit of giving ... from helping kids find the coolest and baddest toys, to hauling huge bags out of the store for the kiddos. The event was COVID-safe -- social distancing, masks, the works.

Giving back with his foundation's nothing new for Prince. Earlier this year, he and the Foundation handed out free meals in L.A. and currently offer weekly grab-n-go meals.

Ahmaud Arbery's mom will spend Christmas Day like she has for years ... devoted to her son, Ahmaud Arbery ... only this time, her connection is a visit to his gravesite.

Wanda Cooper Jones tells TMZ ... the family plans to visit Ahmaud's resting place right outside Waynesboro, GA and pay their respects to him on Christmas Day. But first, Wanda says the family -- including folks from out of state -- will get together at her mom's house in Waynesboro to reminisce about the good times they shared with Ahmaud.

She says this Christmas, no doubt, will feel different and sadder without Ahmaud. She says, "It's going to be hard. I'm trying to prepare myself in the best way by continuing to attend events in his honor, but it's just going to be hard that day."

Wanda tells us the family will honor Ahmaud during the family dinner. Wanda's mom is cooking his favorite family recipe: southern butter beans. Wanda says Ahmaud would gobble them up every year -- it was his favorite dish.

A horse pulling a carriage in NYC suddenly went down in a heap this weekend -- but rather than get the animal checked out, the carriage driver kept on truckin'.

This scary incident went down Sunday in Central Park, and eyewitnesses tell NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets) the horse was pulling its carriage with the driver and a couple of passengers in tow ... when it collapsed on a slippery, icy road.

Pretty dangerous sitch for the horse ... but, apparently, the driver (and spokesperson for Carriage Cavalry) got the horse back up on its feet, loaded his passengers back inside and continued on like nothing happened. No vet check for the horse ... according to the witnesses.

The advocacy group, NYCLASS, is pissed and says it's organized a protest Sunday to decry the cruel treatment of the horse. It's been a longstanding issue in NYC -- the care for those horses used to pull so-called hansom cabs for millions of Central Park tourists.

While they're a familiar sight and tradition in Manhattan, many feel it's time to hang up the reins and stop using the horses this way.

If Santa Claus is gonna come to town, successfully, he's gonna have to keep a better eye out for power lines ... and he's damn lucky some mere mortals saved his ass this time.

A man dressed as Saint Nick had to be helped down by firefighters Sunday morning in Sacramento after he somehow got his sleigh powered parachute vehicle snagged in some utility wires ... leaving him awkwardly dangling, helmet still on and all.

As for how this happened, apparently the guy's a local who often gets airborne with his motorized aircraft, and he was trying to do something nice for the kids by handing out candy canes from the sky. Seems one of his reindeer led him astray and straight into this.

Santa wasn't harmed, which is noteworthy as this screw-up could've gone awry in a hurry. Sacramento Metro and CHP responded to the scene, and were able to successfully roll out the hook and ladder to rescue the dude ... shutting off power to about 200 residents in the process. Of course, they also poked some fun at the situation on social media.

The jolly one should count himself lucky -- SMF told local outlets that the way he hit the wires and how he was positioned in his seat didn't allow for an electric current to zap him