By SYVJ Staff
The Valley Journal
was curious about the different traditions valley residents and visitors shared
with their families on Christmas, so we asked these two questions:
What is the best or worst gift you’ve given
or received? What is your family’s most cherished Christmas tradition?
Mark Adams, Solvang: I’ve never had a bad gift, and never re-gifted. I just like waking up Christmas morning, opening presents and seeing the glow on my daughter’s face.
Steve Painter, Eureka, visiting Buellton: The worst present I ever gave was an iron that I gave to my wife as a joke — that backfired. Donna Painter: The worst gift was the iron. Our favorite tradition is to have fresh crab dinner at sister Sue’s with the whole family.
Azucena Aguirrem, Lompoc: I re-gifted some really bad-smelling perfume. Every year, we go watch a movie at the theater.
Marley Grider, Los Olivos: I got a Harry Potter board game, and I don’t like Harry Potter. I like the white elephant, too. I exchange gifts in my dance program.
Scott Boote, Santa Ynez: The worst gift I received was most likely an ugly sweater. Our most valued tradition for Christmas is getting together and opening gifts one at a time and then having a nice meal.
Zdena Jiroutova, Solvang: I bought myself a plane ticket for Christmas and flew from Los Angeles to Prague, and it took me three days to get there. I’m going to start a new tradition; I think I’m just going to spend a day in front of the fireplace.
Chase Cathcart, Los Olivos: I got a pair of socks once. Having a white elephant gift exchange with my family is our tradition.
Kelly Lockwood, Santa Ynez: The worst gift I gave was an apple. Our best family tradition is going to my grandparents house and having dinner.
Carin DeYoung, Los Olivos: The worst gift I received was a Lizzie McGuire board game from the Disney Channel show. Our tradition is a gift exchange. We go to a neighbor’s Christmas party every year.
Joe Ramiro, Santa Maria, works in Santa Ynez: There’s never been a bad gift either way. Our most cherished tradition is having Christmas Eve dinner.
James Shonka and Katie, Buellton James: The worst present I ever received was socks from my grandma when I was a kid. The worst gift my daughter received was a five-pack of hot sauce at a gift exchange. My favorite holiday tradition is eating tamales on Christmas Eve.
Tracy Ward, Solvang: I can’t think of a bad gift I’ve given or received. Just seeing everyone is probably the best tradition.
Jerry Ray Mitchell, Buellton: I don’t think I have ever received anything that I didn’t need. My favorite tradition is the feast and all the holiday food that follows.
Mike and Lori Weitz, Buellton Lori: Our family exchanges gifts for Hanukah. They are always wrapped so gorgeously, they’re always great, even if the gift inside is raunchy. We have a family tradition of rewrapping a set of ridiculous ceramic cucumber salt-and-pepper shakers one of us received as a gift one year and giving it to an unsuspecting family member.