*CLOSED & winner announced* Tell Me Something Good | DYD 2024

to me, this will forever be Police stopped my car or

 

yep, that is up there with their Daft Punk cover for best song! (in my humble opinion of course)

 

Do you stay home for the holidays or travel? We typically stay home, except for my son's first Christmas. We went to the Georgia Aquarium (with a stop halfway through the road trip to meet up with my in-laws.) Apparently Scuba Claus ended Christmas EVE but it was still such a magical Christmas Day. We dressed him up as a narwhal with manatee booties to keep his feet warm and the staff were all so excited to see him. Our hotel also insisted we pose him in front of their tree for photos and said he could unwrap the (empty) boxes under it if I wanted.

If you travel, do you go see family or go to a destination? We don't usually travel but my son's first Christmas was sort of both. My first Christmas with my husband, we went to his grandparents (both sets plus great-grandfather) in Ohio. This Florida girl was enjoying the novelty of snow, a live Christmas tree, and daily hikes through the woods.

Have your travel plans ever been disrupted by weather or transit delays? Not for the holidays but my second visit to his Ohio family, the airline had to make a special flight to get us out again before a blizzard. Returning a rental car at 4:45 am was not fun. It was cold!

Have you ever been stuck in an airport over the holidays? No and I'd like to keep it that way.

If you could spend the holidays anywhere, where would you choose to go? So many thoughts. Georgia Aquarium again now that my son is older (and we could bring my mom), a snowy cabin in the mountains, or maybe a beachfront resort in the Florida Keys

 

What is the most memorable gift-opening moment from your childhood? I've always been a "one big present" person so a huge chunk of my family went in together on me going to Discovery Cove when I was 12.

Have you ever opened a holiday gift before you were supposed to as a child? I don't think so

What is the coolest gift you ever gave someone? Probably something I knit. One year, I made horse-themed headbands for my son's instructor and volunteer team and I included the specific facial markings of his horse in them.

What gift are you most excited to give this year? I'm hoping to be able to get 2 more Joy Cons for our Nintendo Switch so my son doesn't have to choose which parent to play with. I'm also hoping to be able to get either Mario Kart or Mario Party to go with it.

What kind of holiday shopper are you: Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or year-long hoarder? (When do you start thinking about buying your presents)? We're a mix of year-long hoarder and Black Friday-ish. We usually know what we want and wait for it to go on sale. When my son was a baby, we grabbed a lot of small things throughout the year but these days, he only wants a few larger items. This year is a mixture of board games, video games, and new pajamas.

What was the best holiday present you ever received? A beluga whale encounter at Sea World when I was 19. It was so so cold but I loved interacting with the baby beluga.

What is the coolest present you have ever received during a Secret Santa? I'm not sure I ever got something cool through Secret Santa. My opportunities have been very limited.

What is the best $5 gift to give someone? I'm a fan of really cool pens, sticky notes, etc. I'm currently tempted to get my husband a boba tea pen for work.

Do you buy presents for lots of people or only the people who are closest to you? A little of both. I'm planning to make apple butter for everyone at my son's equine therapy program again this year but I'm only really shopping for husband, son, mom, brother, and maybe something small for the aunt & uncle who host our annual Hanukkah party.

Do you buy holiday gifts for your pets? Back when we had hedgehogs, they had their own tree and menorah. I bought them gifts occasionally, usually things like a carrier, a snuggle sack, or a new wheel.

What's on your wish list? Digital scrapbooking supplies, print credits for my October and December albums, a new planner & coordinating stickers, more Little Sleepies pajamas, and a field trip to the Audubon Birds of Prey center (which I already know I'm getting for Hanukkah)

 

1) Topic Music: Which Christmas carol gets stuck in your head the most? The Muppets and John Denver singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

2) Topic Trees: Describe your tree (size, variety, flocking or not, etc). "Vintage" fake tree that belonged to Todd's parents. It's about 7 feet tall and has individual branches.
Does your holiday tree stay up for months, or do you take it down soon after the holiday? We put our tree up after Thanksgiving and it usually comes down the first week in January depending on when Todd goes back to work. What tree topper do you have? We have two stars. One is fake brass and glass that we bought and the other is the tin star Todd's parents had. Ben usually decides which one we use. Who decorates the holiday tree in your home? Everybody

3) Topic Travel: Do you stay home for the holidays or travel? Before Benjamin was born we would go to Todd's parents a little over an hour away. So sometimes traffic would suck but that's about it. And prior to getting married, I went back to PA every Christmas and the last time was before our wedding (we both went) and it sucked so bad we both said never again. Didn't miss any flights but only because we got to the airport insanely early and just barely made the flight (thank god it was non-stop).

4) Topic Gifts/Shopping: What is the most memorable gift-opening moment from your childhood? Getting my Desert Rose huffy bike and it being warm enough to ride it in shorts that year. Do you buy holiday gifts for your pets? Always. What's on your wish list? No idea it keeps changing

 

3) Topic Travel:

Do you stay home for the holidays or travel?
We usually visit our family for the holidays, as they live in another town. We spend our holiday time there, enjoying the chance to be together.

If you travel, do you go see family or go to a destination?
We travel to see family. Spending the holidays with them is a tradition we cherish.

Have your travel plans ever been disrupted by weather or transit delays?
No, fortunately, our plans haven't been disrupted. We usually travel by car on the highway. Although traffic can be heavy, it’s generally manageable.

Have you ever been stuck in an airport over the holidays?
No, I rarely travel by plane, so I haven’t experienced being stuck in an airport during the holidays.

If you could spend the holidays anywhere, where would you choose to go?
I would love to spend the holidays in Switzerland, near a picturesque lake in the woods with plenty of snow. The combination of serene nature and snow-covered landscapes would make for an ideal winter escape.

 

4) Topic Gifts / Shopping

What is the most memorable gift-opening moment from your childhood? My family wasn't very well-off, but they always found the perfect gifts for me and my sister, even with limited resources. As a child, I never noticed this; I never felt that we had less than others. Now, as an adult, I understand the sacrifices they made, so I remember every gift-opening moment as perfect.

Have you ever opened a holiday gift before you were supposed to as a child? No, my parents were always great at hiding the gifts!

What kind of holiday shopper are you: Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or yearlong hoarder (When do you start thinking about buying your presents)? I start early, usually around Black Friday. If I don’t find anything special then, I shop a bit later, but I always try to finish early.

What is the best $5 gift to give someone? For my loved ones, something small and handmade. Otherwise, a donation is a meaningful option—small contributions add up!

Do you buy presents for lots of people or only the people who are closest to you? Only for my closest loved ones.

What's on your wish list? This year, a gift card from The Lilypad for sure!

 

5) Topic Food

What is your favorite holiday treat? My favorite holiday treat is "kürtős kalács". This traditional Hungarian pastry, known as chimney cake, is baked on a spit over an open flame until golden brown, then coated with sugar that caramelizes for a deliciously crisp crust. It's often sprinkled with cinnamon, cocoa, or nuts, making it irresistible, especially during winter markets.

What is your favorite holiday food? My favorite holiday foods are "gulyásleves" (goulash soup) and "töltött káposzta" (stuffed cabbage). Gulyásleves is a hearty soup made with tender beef, potatoes, and paprika, perfect for warming up on cold days. Töltött káposzta features cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mix of pork, rice, and spices, then simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. These dishes are comforting, flavorful, and bring back wonderful family memories during holiday gatherings.

Unfortunately, I probably won’t be eating either of them this year, as I have to follow a strict diet for health reasons.

 

5) Topic Food:
Who cooks the holiday dinner (meal) at your house? Mom, she's the best! We try to help with the little things, you can find me doing the

 

6) Topic Cards:
Are you sending out Christmas/Season's Greetings/New Years cards this year? I love sending snail mail!
Do you feature or include a photo or an update? No photos, just the card (bought) decorated by me.

 

4) Topic Gifts/Shopping: What is the most memorable gift-opening moment from your childhood? Have you ever opened a holiday gift before you were supposed to as a child? What is the coolest gift you ever gave someone? What gift are you most excited to give this year? What kind of holiday shopper are you: Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or yearlong hoarder (When do you start thinking about buying your presents)? What was the best holiday present you ever received? What is the coolest present you have ever received during a Secret Santa? What is the best $5 gift to give someone? Do you buy presents for lots of people or only the people who are closest to you? Do you buy holiday gifts for your pets? What's on your wish list?

I remember getting a Barbie playhouse and car one year that I was pretty excited about. My worst Christmas ever was the year I opened EVERYONE'S gifts carefully by using a knife along the tape and placing the tape back over the same spot to re-wrap. All of my gifts, all of my siblings gifts.... and there were 6 kids. It was the worst Christmas ever and I still don't think I ever told my family I did it. I haven't gone black Friday shopping in a long time and don't plan on doing so again. Usually it just isn't worth it. I really like online shopping now. I usually shop for a few months preceding December and then pick up the last few things I missed or couldn't think of closer to December 20. I like to be all done a week ahead when possible. I don't really buy presents for my pets and I am not a big present giver. I do what I need to do and call it good. We have started only getting a few inexpensive presents for our kids so they have something to open and then give them cash to buy what they want. My hubby and I usually don't get each other gifts and we just use the money (plus more) towards a trip since we both like to travel. For example we are going to Hawaii in January 2025.

 

5) Topic Food:
What is your favorite holiday treat? What is your favorite holiday food? Do you have a traditional family menu each year? Are you a cook-all-day-for-holiday dinner type of person, or an order-in type of person? What dish can you do without on your holiday table? Who cooks the holiday dinner (meal) at your house? Do you have a favorite Christmas/holiday cookie?

I love homemade caramels. We always have turkey for Thanksgiving and usually ham for Christmas. The sides are pretty standard like mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green salad, rolls, desert of choice. I typically end up doing all the cooking for the meals. I could do without stuffing. I just don't like soggy bread no matter who makes it. We have a gingersnap recipe that we all love and either my hubby or I will make them often over the entire fall/winter season.

 

6) Topic Cards: Are you sending out Christmas/Season's Greetings/New Years cards this year? If not, did you used to do it, and what made you stop? If yes, do you feature or include a photo or an update? Do you purchase cards or make them?
No I am not sending out cards this year. I feel like postage has gotten crazy expensive so if I ever start sending cards again, it probably wouldn't be very many. I used to send a photo card and a brief update. I really don't like the three page newsletters that some people send. Rarely do I read them if they are too long lol. I have purchased cards in the past and I have also made them. I just have decided that it is becoming a lost tradition and I am ok with not keeping it going. Sometimes there isn't enough time to do it all and I decided this one could go.

 

3) Topic Travel: Do you stay home for the holidays or travel? If you travel, do you go see family or go to a destination? Have your travel plans ever been disrupted by weather or transit delays? Have you ever been stuck in an airport over the holidays?If you could spend the holidays anywhere, where would you choose to go?
We have only been away twice for the holidays. One time was when we were first married and didn't have kids yet and we took a trip to California to go to sea world and a few other things. The other time was just a few years ago and we took our two kids that were single and still living at home and went to Arizona. I loved being away from our cold winter of Idaho but I got a lot of grief from our other two married kids that said it was just WRONG to be gone at the holidays. So I guess I am grounded to stay home for Christmas - but that won't stop me from going somewhere warm before or after the holidays. No... I have not been stuck in the airport for the holidays and I am grateful for that.

 

5) Topic Food:

What is your favorite holiday treat? Chex mix

What is your favorite holiday food? A very rich potato casserole (butter, cream cheese, sour cream, mixed in with some russets) that we call "Mum's potatoes"

Do you have a traditional family menu each year? Yes, very traditional indeed. Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, along with various sides

Are you a cook-all-day-for-holiday dinner type of person, or an order-in type of person? Cook-all-day (and probably also the day before!)

What dish can you do without on your holiday table? Creamed onions. Does anyone even eat them anymore?!

Who cooks the holiday dinner (meal) at your house? I do!

Do you have a favorite Christmas/holiday cookie? Gingerbread cookies with royal icing, and a good Scottish shortbread

 

HAHA that is probably what I'll hear next time.

 

1. Music
Which Christmas carol gets stuck in your head the most? Angels We Have Heard On High
Which holiday song would you slay at karaoke? I Saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Do you have a special holiday song that reminds you of someone special? Leroy the Red-Nosed Reindeer, makes me think of my daughter when she was about 7. Her After-School program put on a Christmas Concert and she was Leroy. She wore a John Deere hat and for some unknown reason, painted her entire neck red.
When do you start listening to Christmas music December 1-ish.