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"What gets you in the holiday spirit?"
(asked at the Kingsgate Library on 12-10-97; published in the EJ on 12-14-97)

Kathi Forbes, Library assistant, Kirkland

"Eggnog! But really, I think music. We have so many people ordering CDs and tapes and so I see what's going across the counter. And I get to take things home and listen, too. I've got so many favorites. "O Holy Night" -- I just like the music."

Scott Tower, Commercial sales, Redmond

"My kids. I have a 9-year-old and a 12-year-old, two boys, and they like videos, and computer games. I like their excitement. The older one gives me a list. The younger one is a bit hesitant -- more particular... I just enjoy watching the kids. That's what it's all about, in a nutshell."

Basil Standaert, Retired farmer & hotel manager, Bothell

"Probably seeing little kids enjoy everything. Seeing my grandchildren. And probably their asking the question 'What is Christmas all about?' And I answer 'We're celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.' ."

Kerri Surface, Full-time mom, Kirkland

"Christmas music, decorations -- the religious type -- and, of course, food! Cookies, fudge... And we have an advent calendar that my mother-in-law made. It's a quilt with a bear looking for Christmas and he finds it under the tree, with the family. My kids really like it. One of the things I personally like to do is re-read "Two From Galilee" about Mary and Joseph. I really love it."

Melanie Wikstrom, Waitress, West Seattle

"The birth of Christ. Celebrating a miracle... The gifts are okay, but it's more about the birth of our Lord. We all get too busy wrapping gifts and spending money."

Craig McMorris, TV journalist, Kirkland

"Giving. Seeing that there are children out there, needy children, and seeing that their holiday is made brighter by a toy, or clothing, or even food... I donate more to charities now than I would the rest of the year. I just think of the children's faces when they open that package up -- their faces lighting up."

© 1997 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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