WingerDingerI always thought this would be interesting to ask. Just always wondered how other members of the board celebrate, decorate and feast over the holiday season.

I'll start with a template.. Don't really need to go into detail, unless you want to.

Do you put up a tree or light a menorah?
(Tree)

Is it an artificial tree or a real tree?
(We always do a real tree, love that pine scent)

Do you decorate the inside, outside or both with seasonal decor?
(We decorate both the inside and outside. Lots of lights. Has to look right though, don't like tacky)

Any special or unique traditions that you or your family like to do every season?
(None off the top of my head)

Any special holiday movie(s) that you consider a favorite 'must watch' every season?
(A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life)

How about Christmas or Holiday Dinner? Turkey? Ham? Steak & Lobster?
(We normally do either a turkey or ham, but this year my wife is making a slow cooker roast beef)

How long do you keep your tree up after the Holiday?
(We used to keep ours up until New Years, but the last handful of years, everything has been coming down a couple of days after)

Any Christmas or Holiday parties that you attend yearly? Work? Family? Friends?
(Not really, but we used to go to our Christmas Party at work, that's about it)

Favorite Christmas or Holiday Present, you have ever given?
(About 15 years ago, I bought my mom this really old, beautiful antique glass hutch. I only paid maybe $300-$400 for it, but the impact it had on my mom was priceless.

If there's anything else that I didn't think of that you'd like to share, feel free! I love hearing about other traditions and cultures.

And if you've never seen Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas, you're missing out!!Do you put up a tree or light a menorah?

Put up a tree on my end. Usually go with just white lights. Nothing too crazy or colorful. We have a two year old son so we have a little tree in his room. Same style. Wife's got a thing for Gnomes so we have some little gnomes under the tree and outside in the front yard I have some decent blow up's. 

Is it an artificial tree or a real tree?

Artificial but plan on doing a real one next year. For the same reasons. I am a man of the Earth. Any scent or color that's Earthy is always something I dig and delve into. I love that [BLEEP]. LOL. 

Do you decorate the inside, outside or both with seasonal decor?

Both. For sure. I grew up in apartments my whole life and when I finally bought my own home I always wanted to put things out for showing. 

Any special or unique traditions that you or your family like to do every season?

With my wife we try to get out of town. We live here in Jacksonville and she really got me into travelling. Something I rarely did as a child with my family. It's grown on me. I love the mountains man. The higher the elevation the better. We try to get a cabin now off and on towards the end of the year. 

Any special holiday movie(s) that you consider a favorite 'must watch' every season?

All of the Christmas classics. Little drummer boy, charlie brown, frosty, grinch, etc. Try getting my son into them as much as I can. 

How about Christmas or Holiday Dinner? Turkey? Ham? Steak & Lobster?

We always go to my Mom's and she mixes it up a lot. We always have staples though like deviled eggs and ham. This year we're adding on a big [BLEEP] pan of Lasagna and other things. I like making Buckeyes, Pralines and Banana Pudding. Usually rotate between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

How long do you keep your tree up after the Holiday?

Always after New Year's. It's bad luck in our family to take it down before New Year's. 

Any Christmas or Holiday parties that you attend yearly? Work? Family? Friends?

Work. Not anymore. This little railroad lost it's sense of family and community after the last buyout but I always do something with family. Not very many friends on my end. I have two younger brothers. They've always been all I have needed for the most part. 

Favorite Christmas or Holiday Present, you have ever given?

Man. Tough one. I love giving in general. I think anytime I give my parents anything they're always appreciative and get onto me about spending too much. Anything custom really. Like personalized blankets with family photos. Probably last year actually. Made my Mom cry. It was all of her boys over the years in images to keep her warm. 

If there's anything else that I didn't think of that you'd like to share, feel free! I love hearing about other traditions and cultures.

It's the one holiday that always makes me reflect on my past. Makes me miss my Grandmother. My Grandfather. Makes me think on how short life really is and why it's important to try and mend old wounds and keep bridges strong. Seeing my mother and father now getting closer to 60 is scary but also it's life. I enjoy any little minute with them that I can manage to steal.

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