InsideQ: When do you start decorating for the holidays?

Elise: I typically start pretty late. I love to buy gifts early in the season, but I don’t start to decorate until close to the holidays.

InsideQ: Any holiday traditions?

Elise: My family’s holiday traditions include celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. We typically give eight small gifts for Hanukkah, one gift on Christmas Eve, and a big gift on Christmas Day. In addition, we also sponsor a family in need so that they can also enjoy gifts at the holidays.

InsideQ: Favorite holiday ornament?

Elise: I love some of the ornaments that my brother and I made in elementary school. One in particular has my five-year-old thumb print on it, which I then drew into a little Christmas mouse. It’s just too funny.

InsideQ: Favorite holiday food?

Elise: I really love all of the food during the holiday season, but I think my two favorites are pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce.

InsideQ: Wishes for the New Year?

Elise: Oh, this is a tough one because I have so many wishes. Universally, I wish for happiness for all beings.  

InsideQ: When do you start decorating for the holidays?

Leah: The first weekend in December. 

InsideQ: Any holiday traditions?

Leah: It’s a holiday tradition for my siblings and I and our families to always spend Christmas together, no matter where we have to travel to do so.

InsideQ: Favorite holiday ornament?

Leah: A personalized ornament with “Leah” emblazoned on it that my mother got for me from a mail order catalog years ago. It’s totally kitschy and I love it!

InsideQ: Favorite holiday food?

Leah: My sister’s mac and cheese (she uses a secret blend of cheeses and she won’t tell anyone what it is) and red velvet cake. 

InsideQ: Wishes for the New Year?

Leah: Joy, peace, and all good things!

InsideQ: When do you start decorating for the holidays?

Sharon: The weekend after Thanksgiving.

InsideQ: Any holiday traditions?

Sharon: Santa always tucks a gingerbread man into every stocking, and we get to eat them for breakfast on Christmas morning!

InsideQ: Favorite holiday ornament?

Sharon: Anything my kids have made…and they’ve made a lot! 

InsideQ: Favorite holiday food?

Sharon: My favorite holiday food is actually a beverage—egg nog!

InsideQ: Wishes for the New Year?

Sharon: I hope the New Year is filled with even more love than the last one!