Favorite Holiday song?
White Christmas, of course. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. And I love The Bells of Christmas and Joy to the World. [Have you ever heard the rendition by Natalie Cole? It’s something special!]
Favorite holiday movie?
White Christmas as well as It’s a Wonderful Life. I have never missed a year seeing this one. Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal still makes me cry, it’s so special. And then, of course, A Christmas Carol – the original.
Favorite holiday story to read?
In addition to the original Christmas story [I don’t want to get all religious here, but I do read that account — again, magical], I love the story about the "Gift of the Magi" by O’Henry. The story of sacrifice is such a beautiful allegory.
Snow on holiday eve or just a chill in the air?
California Girl likes both. In recent years, I have lived both in North Carolina and Connecticut and enjoyed chilly and wintry Christmas Eves. The snap in the air holds tremendous expectation.
Most memorable holiday memory?
My son’s first Christmas. He was almost a year old and already on his feet and running. Oh, the joy! We built him a rocking horse on Christmas Eve. (Note to parents: always do the building weeks before if you can. The night before? Crazy.) But he bounced on that rocking chair all Christmas morning.
Did you eat popcorn balls as a kid? If you did, do you still?
I did as a girl. I haven’t had a popcorn ball in years. Wow, good memory. They stick in your teeth, though.
Real tree or artificial? Green or white?
Real. Always. Green. I like white lights on the tree. The simple twinkle. But I love colorful ornaments that have meaning or history. I still remember my son saying, “Uh-oh, Daddy,” when we (as a family) used to pass by a Christmas store. They knew I had to go in.
What do you do holiday eve?
When my son and step-kids were young, we had a lovely eve dinner, watched movies, and allowed the kids to open one present. Now they’re all off doing their own thing, so we go to a friend’s house and raise a toast.
What are your holiday plans this year?
They vary from year to year, depending on where the kids will be. With their in-laws, with us. This year we’ll have an early Christmas on the 23rd with a full turkey dinner. My husband is Jewish, so we’ll also be celebrating Hannukah that night with a special latke that I’ve (ahem) perfected over the years. They really are killer good, if I do say so myself. Then we’ll be with friends on the 24th and family, movie, dinner on the 25th.
Article comments
1 - Dru
Another fun read.