My fondest memories of Xmas as a kid was the morning when my father would wake my sister and myself up with his Russian accented impression of Santa Claus - "Ho Ho Ho! Santa Claus eez com and brink presentz!"

Sharing gifts, getting the house ready for family friends to come for dinner. My dad would inevitably get tipsy, my mom would be in a constant fuss and I'd be forced to drag out the accordion, my mom grabbing the mandolin. Then everyone singing Xmas carols followed by Russian revolutionary songs!

Now, much older and wiser and poorer, I love the idea of Xmas, still put up a tree and wear a button onmy lapel that says "Xmas is a Capitalist Plot!"