Tori Spelling is navigating the challenges of the holiday season amid her recent split from Dean McDermott. Taking to her Instagram Story on December 22, the 50-year-old actress shared her experience with holiday shopping, revealing that she missed the deadline for online purchases to arrive on time. As a result, she found herself faced with the prospect of braving the mall alone.
In a candid and lighthearted admission, Spelling stated, “It’s December 22 and I officially bought my first gift for Christmas. 5 Christmas lists to tackle. 3 days to do [it]. Now I’ll have to brave the mall alone. Crushing this single mom Christmas 2023 .”
Spelling and McDermott, 57, who share five children, announced their separation earlier this year after 17 years of marriage. The couple has three sons—Liam, 16, Finn, 10, Beau, 6—and two daughters—Stella, 15, and Hattie, 11. McDermott also has a son, Jack, 25, from his previous marriage to Mary Jo Eustace.
This holiday season marks the family’s first Christmas since the high-profile split. McDermott, in June, revealed the separation in a now-deleted Instagram post. Subsequently, he opened up about his struggles with alcohol in a November interview with the Daily Mail, describing a particularly troubling memory of a drunken argument with Spelling. Reflecting on the incident, he admitted, “I posted [the split announcement] because I was at the end of my rope. I didn’t know what to do. I had burned everything down yet again.”
The revelation reportedly caught Spelling “off guard,” according to an inside source, particularly due to the personal nature of the information shared about their family. Spelling has been vigilant about protecting her children, especially given McDermott’s past issues with anger and outbursts.
As the couple navigates their separation, the plans for the holiday season remain uncertain. McDermott, who completed a 40-day inpatient treatment and is currently residing in a sober group home for men, has not seen his children since June. A source revealed that their holiday plans hinge on McDermott’s commitment to his healing process and sobriety.
Both Spelling and McDermott have embarked on new romantic journeys since their separation. McDermott has been linked to Lily Calo since October, while Spelling has been dating Ryan Cramer since November. The former couple continues to prioritize their own paths to healing and moving forward in the wake of their separation.