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Ah Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year! Quite possibly the most beloved holiday ever and quite possibly the geekiest. I mean think about it, you got the presents which can vary from toys and collectibles to video-games to DVDs and Blu-rays to geeky t-shirts and other clothing and so much more that geeks all over the world can put on their wishlist. There’s also the movies and TV specials that we watched as kids and still hold near and dear to our hearts (except for the Star Wars Holiday Special which we do not talk about). But most of all it’s about community, spending time with your friends and family, just like geekdom is about, talking with people who share your interests about what movies and TV shows inspire you and motivate you.
What specific parts of Christmas makes us geeks love it so much? To answer that I’ve compiled a series of questions for the good people at Geek Motivation to answer about their best Christmas memories and experiences. So let’s take a look at what they had to say.
1. What’s the thing you like the most about Christmas?
Zach Smith: Family and cookies.
Danielle González: I like that it is a time when all of my family can be together and spend time with one another.
Mike Guimond: Chillin with fam.
Christian Quiles: 1. I love Christmas, especially on my beautiful Puerto Rico. The music, the ambience, gathering around with family, “parrandas”, and especially the FOOD! Also, Coquito drinks are so good!
John Tangalin: Christmas is indicative of time spent with loved ones, although the same can be said about Thanksgiving. However, what makes this special is that it also signifies that the year is coming to an end and that we are given yet another year to improve and become better.
2. What’s on your Christmas wishlist this year?
Zach Smith: PS4 and rarer comic books.
Danielle González: Comics and drawing books.
Mike Guimond: A new laptop case and wallet.
Christian Quiles: I would love a laptop or a new TV.
John Tangalin: I don’t usually make wishlists because now that I’m older, I can very much purchase these items with my own money. Although, I would very much be content with a Pennywise hoodie that I found on Amazon. I’m looking for Miles Morales trade paperbacks, new video games, and some Funko POPS, but I can settle for some neat t-shirts.
3. Of all the geeky presents you’ve ever received on Christmas, which one was your favorite?
Zach Smith: A custom lightsaber.
Danielle González: Star Labs sweat-shirt.
Mike Guimond: PS3 in like 2006 or 2007.
Christian Quiles: The best geeky gift I’ve ever gotten was a PS2 the year it was released.
John Tangalin: I don’t recall having geeky presents over the Christmas season, but I do remember doing a Secret Santa in the Sixth Grade and receiving a Simpsons comic book trade paperback. It was a great read while it lasted. If only I can find it, or at least another copy of it.
4. Which Christmas-themed film is your favorite?
Zach Smith: Die Hard.
Danielle González: Elf and live-action Grinch.
Mike Guimond: Live-action Grinch.
Christian Quiles: Favorite Christmas-themed film would have to be Elf by Jon Favreau.
John Tangalin: My dad introduced me to The Christmas Story, which was about a young elementary school boy who wanted a shotgun. I would be lying though if I said that Home Alone and Home Alone 2 weren’t my absolute favorite Christmas-related movies. The Polar Express is an honorable mention.
5. Which Christmas-themed TV/cartoon episode is your favorite?
Zach Smith: Charlie Brown Christmas.
Danielle González: I don’t know if this counts but a Christmas Story Live was incredible.
Mike Guimond: The Man in the Yellow Suit (Flash 1×09)
Christian Quiles: Probably the Spongebob one where Squidward doesn’t believe in Santa. Had lots of memories with that one.
John Tangalin: Cartoon Network had a bunch of Christmas-themed specials. I remember Frosty the Snowman and Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. I can’t really say I have a favorite.
6. Which Christmas food or drink is your favorite?
Zach Smith: Those ready to bake pillsbury cookies.
Danielle González: Gingerbread cookies!!!
Mike Guimond: My mom makes this Club cracker-caramel-chocolate-peanut Christmas Toffee that’s to do die for.
Christian Quiles: Being Puerto Rican, Christmas is FILLED with different food. The best food to eat this time is “arroz con gandules y lechón” (rice with pigeon peas and pork). And coquito (sort of like Eggnog, but WAY better).
John Tangalin: I don’t think I have a favorite Christmas-themed food or drink.
7. Which was the best Christmas you’ve ever had?
Zach Smith: Last Christmas. My fam and I made up after a huge fight.
Danielle González: This one because me and my brother are in college so this is the first time in awhile my whole family has been together and I’m very grateful for that.
Mike Guimond: The one with the PS3
Christian Quiles: Best Christmas are many for me, the ones where my family is all together and having a great time.
John Tangalin: I had great Christmases before I entered middle school and junior high, so that would be until 2008.
And to end on a high note, here’s what our very own Ahkil Modali had to say about his favorite thing about Christmas:
“When I was little, it use to be the presents. But as I get older, it is just spending time with friends and family. The older I get, the faster that life starts to move. I use Christmas to remind myself that friends and family come first before everything. Other then some comic books, this year I really want to just be able to relax with my family as it will be the first time I am going home since college started. Also, my brother and I do something a little different then most when it comes to holiday movies. During my week’s at school, I don’t have time to watch my favorite anime. Plus, I enjoy watching it with my brother because we get to freak out when big stuff happens in it together. So, over Christmas break, my brother and I catch up on all the anime we need to! It isn’t the most traditional thing to watch, but it is something we enjoy! Happy Holidays from our families to yours!”
So as we can see, there are a lot of geeky aspects we can find in Christmas. But most importantly, most of us can agree the best thing about it is family. And not just the relatives but our friends and fellow geeks. Yes we like presents, but what we like most is giving them and receiving them, trading presents with one another. Yes we like the traditional Christmas recipes, but what we like most is sitting around the table and eating and drinking them together. Yes we like the Christmas specials, but most of all we like watching them together. When people gathered on the day Jesus was born, they gathered to share what he stands for: peace and love. They shared it with each other and with the world. And that’s what we geeks like to do every year, especially on Christmas eve, and always as a community.
What does Christmas mean to you? What is to you the best and most important thing about Christmas? Share your thoughts in the comments. And for more motivative articles like this one, be sure to follow Geek Motivation (@GEEKMOTIVATION) and me (@Miguel420Coelho). We at Geek Motivation wish you a wonderful and geeky Christmas!
Written by: Miguel Coelho
