Get to Know TJM: Christmas Grab Bag!

We asked our TJM family to consider a few different Christmas questions this year, and like Santa himself, they delivered some great stuff. Here’s what we had to say:

Sean Bottass

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song? 

When you put on a Christmas playlist you will find about 20 variations of Jingle Bells, so that definitely would have to be the most cringe worthy bop.

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk?

To be honest with you … I just tried my first glass of eggnog last year. That being said, I didn’t not like it, just wouldn’t grab that beverage over some cold milk. So, I’ll give this one a Yuk.

Best Christmas Present Ever?

This gift was not something I asked for, but my mom and sister knows me enough to have put a dent In their Christmas funds for me. The gift was the newest PlayStation.. I’m not used to getting big gifts like this, so was shocked and extremely thankful.

Christmas Shopping

The earlier the better ... only problem is that I get too excited about people opening my gifts and just want to spoil it after I wrap everything up.

Gift Exchanges -- White Elephant or Secret Santa?

I’ve never done a White Elephant, so I’m super stoked about that. With that knowledge I would have to say Secret Santa. I feel like Secret Santa is more of an intimate exchange, if that makes sense, versus your gift being passed around.

Presents – Lots of Little Ones or One Big One?

I would say little presents are better to give because you have more things to fill up the tree and it makes Christmas gift giving a longer and more fun experience. As far as receiving, I like one huge gift and that will do for me personally.

Confessions for Santa – Have YOU been good this year?

Wellllll ... yes and no. I really need to be nicer and more understanding when it comes to my family. Other than that, I feel good about being on the good list, even though I might be closer to the bottom.

Favorite Christmas Memory

When I was younger, we were allowed to participate one year in this event where you would get your own police officer to roam in Walmart getting gifts. I was super excited and got everything I wanted. Nerf Guns, Percy Jackson box set, Pokémon cards! I was grateful and had a wonderful Christmas.

Vito Giammanco

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song?  Adam Sandler Chanukah Song

 Eggnog — Yay or Yuk? Never have been a fan of Eggnog

 Best Christmas Present Ever? Best gift was receiving a NES Gaming System.

 Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble? 

I am a mix of both, but typically am done before the last week.

 Gift Exchanges — White Elephant or Secret Santa? 

I love our work White Elephant, but prefer the personalization of the Secret Santa.

Presents— Lots of Little Ones or One Big One? 

A mix of small and some decent size gifts. 

Confessions for Santa — Have YOU been good this year? Never! [Editor’s Note: We’d expect nothing less, Vito]

Shannon Moore

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song? Probably Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk?  I'm good with it, with or without alcohol

Best Christmas Present Ever?

Honestly, the time that we get as a family together every year is the best present.

Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble?

Both....sadly....

Gift Exchanges — White Elephant or Secret Santa?

Both!  I like the fun and excitement of the White Elephant, and the goofy hiding of the name/riddle you get to do for Secret Santa.  We do both in our household.  White Elephant at work, and Secret Santa has been a tradition in our family since I was a kid. The grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins all participate.  Now we're on to the next generation having their own exchange.

Presents — Lots of Little Ones or One Big One?

Unpopular opinion, but I don't typically enjoy either ....I get anxiety over the giving part, because I don't really know if the recipient will like it. I get anxiety over the receiving because I don't show emotion well, and don't ever know if the person knows I'm appreciative of what has been given. So if anyone ever gives me anything, know I'm thankful!!!   

Confessions for Santa — Have YOU been good this year? Debatable … [Editor’s Note: Hmmm. Tell us more…]

Matt Fischer

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song? 

All of them are cringe.  I am not the biggest fan of Christmas music in general (unless it is Christmas Day) so I really can't be more specific than that. 

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk? 

Yay! Definitely a taste I grew into as an adult.  Also, not terrible with maple flavored bourbon. 

Best Christmas Present Ever?

 I am still chasing the high of getting a Play Station 2 for Christmas in 2000. This is when you had to go to a physical store to get one and quantities were limited and sold out quickly.  My mom pulled lots of strings to get me one that year. 

Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble? 

Both.  Depending on who I am shopping for. 

Gift Exchanges — White Elephant  or Secret Santa? 

I feel like Secret Santa will return a more thoughtful or quality gift, but the White Elephant is more fun to play. 

Presents -- Lots of Little Ones or One Big One?

 Lots of little ones as those are usually more useful items I need.  For the big-ticket items, I would rather purchase those myself that way I can ensure I get what I want and the best deal.  

Confessions for Santa — Have YOU been good this year? 

I am a saint and the model person whom Santa judges everyone else by. [Editor’s Note: Matt, just because your mom’s a saint (as we established last Mother’s Day), It doesn’t automatically make you one…]

Favorite Christmas Memory

 It’s hard to pick favorites when you have so many, so I will pick a topical one. We are getting our daughter a trampoline this year. That has brough back a lot of memories of when my brother and I got a trampoline for Christmas back in the ‘90s.  

We woke up and it was there in the yard ready to be jumped on.  It's Florida so we were out there in shorts and a t-shirt minutes later having a blast!  I’m hoping for the same fun and excitement this year with my daughter!

Sandy Matolo

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song?  Dominic the Donkey.

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk? Not my favorite thing but if I'm going to drink it, there needs to be alcohol.

Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble?

 Last minute for sure... sadly. I do more online shopping now than going to the store.

Gift Exchanges — White Elephant  or Secret Santa?  

White Elephant is always more fun

Presents — Lots of Little Ones or One Big One?  

One big one.  Quality over quantity.

Confessions for Santa — Have YOU been good this year?

Hmmmm... depends on who you ask.  As far as Santa is concerned, I've been an angel.

Rick Cundiff

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song?

Gotta go with the classic dogs barking “Jingle Bells.”

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk?  Yay!

Best Christmas Present Ever? 

My first good stereo – Marantz receiver and speakers, B.I.C. turntable. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble? 

Last-minute.

Gift Exchanges — White Elephant or Secret Santa? 

Secret Santa

Presents— Lots of Little Ones or One Big One? 

Either is good.

Confessions for Santa — Have YOU been good this year? 

Well, according to my dog, yes. The cats aren’t so sure about it. As for my wife’s opinion ….

Favorite Christmas Memory

Christmas dinner with my parents, grandparents and big extended family. And visits from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve that my Dad somehow always missed.

Kristen McKenney 

I love listening to a mix of Christmas music with my kids... just whatever Alexa plays for us for the most part. My kids absolutely love "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

I don't pay for any music subscriptions, so we're at the mercy of whatever Alexa chooses for us ... except that song. She always plays that song on demand. So we're hearing it a lot this season.

It's also interesting when the kids start to notice old song lyrics that seem weird to them. We were listening to "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and my youngest (5) , immediately says "Ew." I laughed pretty hard because that never sat well with me either!

Justin MacDonald

Favorite cringe-worthy Christmas song? 

There is almost no Christmas song that I will not listen to, and I have zero problem with cringe music of any genre.

Eggnog — Yay or Yuk? 

I like about ONE glass of eggnog per year.  Whether or not it has alcohol is literally only based on what is handed to me. 

Best Christmas Present Ever?

I was a varsity letterman as a freshman (in both Wrestling AND Track and Field) and as a 14 year old, that meant A LOT to me. I wanted a jacket but they were very expensive, so my parents prepped me that I wouldn’t be able to get one. Bummer, but understood. I was THRILLED to open that gift on Christmas morning and still think about the sacrifice my parents must have made to be able to get that for me.

Christmas Shopping — Early Finish or Last-Minute Scramble?

I like to finish 98% of the shopping early and then go enjoy the absolute chaos of getting the final, small, and usually unnecessary, gifts on the 23rd and 24th. 

Gift Exchanges — White Elephant or Secret Santa?

I like Secret Santa gift exchanges because it offers the ability for someone to show how much they pay attention to the small details of your life that you wouldn’t expect when they get something that represents you.

Presents  — Lots of Little Ones or One Big One?

It’s gotta be a mix. 

Favorite Christmas Memory:

It was Christmas eve and my oldest daughter was struggling with the idea that Santa wasn’t real.  She was very serious about her concern, so I asked her to go outside with me and look for Santa’s sleigh.  

My thought was to separate her from the other kids and go through the magic of Santa Claus and ask her to continue the magic and help.  As we were laying there, looking up in the sky, while I was working out how I was going to approach the subject, a HUGE shooting star crossed the sky. 

We decided that was Santa’s sleigh and I got another Christmas in the books before bringing her in on the magic of Christmas.