It's true Christmas can feel like a lot of work particularly for mothers. But when you look back on all the Christmases in your life you'll find you've created family traditions and lasting memories. Those memories good and bad are really what help to keep a family together over the long haul.

We consider Christmas as the encounter the great encounter the historical encounter the decisive encounter between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly let him rejoice.

We always had lutefisk for Christmas dinner after which Dad read from the Norwegian Bible.

Our last jam session was this past Christmas. Dad played his harmonica mom sang in English and Italian and I played guitar. I'm so happy that we could share that musical experience for one last time.

Like my dad I have a Christmas party most years. I like to celebrate and see as many people as possible.

It was you know probably 80 degrees out in L.A. and my dad took me outside and there was snow. At the time I thought 'Every kid doesn't have snow in their backyard on Christmas?'

My parents were kind of over protective people. Me and my sister had to play in the backyard all the time. They bought us bikes for Christmas but wouldn't let us ride in the street we had to ride in the backyard. Another Christmas my dad got me a basketball hoop and put it in the middle of the lawn! You can't dribble on grass.

Come Christmas Eve we usually go to my mom and dad's. Everybody brings one gift and then we play that game when we all steal it from each other. Some are really cool others are useful and some are a bit out there.

I remember driving to North Carolina when I was a little girl in a snowstorm to get down to my mom's family in the Carolinas. There were chains on the car - it was the late sixties - and we were just singing in the car. Christmas carols.

Christmas is over and Business is Business.