Finally, Faith is rewarded

Faith Hill finally has that Christmas gift she’s always wanted.

She performed her favorite holiday songs with a 31-piece orchestra, nine-member choir and an elaborate stage set for a new TV special.

“It has always been a dream of mine, both as a little girl and as a performer,” Hill says of the performance, which was taped for an installment of PBS’ “Soundstage” series.

(Look for it next week on cable channel 471 in Spokane, and 143/186 in Coeur d’Alene.)

Hill sings “Winter Wonderland,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “What Child Is This?” and other songs from her new CD, “Joy to the World,” against a festive winter backdrop.

“It was really important to me to marry the music on the album, the way it was performed on the album, with the presentation of the stage,” she says.

Hill, 41, says she drew from Christmas records by Burl Ives, Nat King Cole and Elvis Presley to get the sound she wanted.

“That period of Christmas music evokes thoughts of the season for me no matter what time of year that I hear it,” she says. “It just strikes a chord with me.”

Tiara and all the trimmings

Here she comes, Miss America – with a roasted turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and a pumpkin pie for New York City’s homeless.

Miss America Kirsten Haglund is honorary host as the city’s Rescue Mission serves Thanksgiving meals, provides gospel music and raises awareness about homelessness.

Haglund says participating in outreach missions has always been a part of her holidays, with her family in suburban Detroit and through her church youth group.

Volunteers scheduled to help her at the lower Manhattan mission include Kathie Lee Gifford and police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Kanye, all ye faithful

The Jonas Brothers, who will spend Thanksgiving performing during halftime at the Dallas Cowboys-Seattle Seahawks game, plan to be home at Christmas with their family.

“Last year, we were in New York City,” says Joe Jonas. “It’s been awhile since we’ve been home on Christmas.”

As for their Christmas list, he says meeting Kanye West is on top: “On his next album, the songs we’ve heard so far are incredible.”

Not to mention modest

Kanye West says he doesn’t care whether his new album, “808s & Heartbreak,” is a blockbuster, because he’s made “great art.”

“You know people sometimes don’t understand great art when they first hear it, but I am very confident in it,” the rapper says.

“Whether it sells as much as the last one, or way more, I feel like I am just successful in doing something I felt really good about.”

Brangelina? Fewer leftovers

A poll by Ancestry.com shows 15 percent of Americans would rather have Thanksgiving dinner with Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and their kids, compared to 11 percent for Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and brood – and 4 percent for Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Suri.

The birthday bunch

Impressionist Rich Little is 70. Singer Tina Turner is 69. Bassist John McVie (Fleetwood Mac) is 63. Country singer Joe Nichols is 32. Singer Natasha Bedingfield is 27.