Tamera Mowry Says Son Aden, 12, Believes in Santa to Humor Her and Husband Adam Housely: 'Really Sweet' (Exclusive)

The 'Scouting for Christmas' star tells PEOPLE she worries about Aden telling his 9-year-old sister the truth about Santa: 'He is handling it so beautifully'

Tamera Mowry Housley/Instagram Tamera Mowry Housley and son Aden

Tamera Mowry Housley/Instagram

Tamera Mowry Housley and son Aden

Consider Tamera Mowry-Housley’s son Aden a believer.

The actress, 46, tells PEOPLE that her 12-year-old has his skepticism about Santa Claus’s existence, but, “I think he's believing for us,” she says.

“It's really, really sweet because he's been asking questions, so I think he knows, but he also has a younger sister. Your fear when you have two kids and one's a little older and they figure it out is that they're gonna maybe tell their younger sibling. He is handling it so beautifully.”

Mowry, who also shares daughter Ariah, 9, with husband Adam Housley, says Aden wants “a mature gift” this year: an electric bike.

Adam Housley Instagram Adam Housley and Tamera Mowry family
Adam Housley Instagram Adam Housley and Tamera Mowry family

Related: Hallmark Announces 47 New Holiday Movies in Its 2024 Lineup Starring Lacey Chabert, Angela Kinsey and More

Meanwhile, her daughter asked for a noisy gift. “She wants a drum set and a bass guitar,” the former child star says. “My daughter is in a garage band. She is gifted at playing bass. It was a beautiful shock to us because we don't have anyone in our family that plays any instruments. I don't know about the drum set just yet. We'll start with the bass.”

No matter what Santa brings, Mowry knows her what Christmas dinner will look like.

“We've gotta have a roast. There's nothing like a good roast with mashed potatoes and green beans,” Mowry says. “I always do a signature drink, but my sister-in-law, she's pregnant, my brother doesn't drink anymore, so I feel like I'm gonna have to do a non-alcoholic signature drink this year. I'm excited.”

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Mowry’s Countdown to Christmas movie Scouting for Christmas premiered in October on Hallmark Channel, but that doesn’t mean that the Sister, Sister star has had her Christmas decorations out since Nov. 1.

“About two years ago, I hosted Thanksgiving for our entire family and I was like, we've got to have Christmas decorations up. So I had Christmas decorations up Nov. 1,” Mowry recalls. “It was fantastic. My husband was like, ‘We are never doing that again. That's way too early.’  So we we're gonna start Dec. 1.”

Tamera Mowry Housley/Instagram Tamera Mowry-Housley with husband Adam Housley and their kids Ariah and Aden

Tamera Mowry Housley/Instagram

Tamera Mowry-Housley with husband Adam Housley and their kids Ariah and Aden

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In Scouting for Christmas, Mowry plays a single mom who attempts to balance her job as a realtor with helping her 10-year-old daughter make it to her extracurriculars, like Sunny Scouts, on time.

“You have the moms who are able to be there every waking moment of their child's life, and that's wonderful. There's also working moms trying to make ends meet and live out our dreams,” Mowry says. “Everyone has different avenues, and you have to do what's right for you and your family. But as long as you are doing your best, you are doing enough.”

Syd Wong/Hallmark Media Tamera Mowry-Housley and Carlo Marks in 'Scouting for Christmas'

Syd Wong/Hallmark Media

Tamera Mowry-Housley and Carlo Marks in 'Scouting for Christmas'

Related: Tamera Mowry Calls Scouting for Christmas a ‘Beautiful Example’ for Working Moms: ‘Life Is Not Perfect’ (Exclusive)

That can be hard to remember during the hectic holiday season. “There are some days you got it and you're like, 'Wow, I am Supermom.' Then there are days where it just doesn't work out because life is not perfect,” Mowry admits. "You just have to embrace, pivot, love and get through.”

The mom of two likes to focus on quality time with her kids over quantity. “Quantity and quality are two different things,” Mowry says. “There are families that spend lots of time, but they're not really spending that quality time. Like, are you present? Are you really there?’ That's what's important.”