Rick Ruiner (The Ruiners)

Proposing to my bandmate Nina, on stage, on national TV last December.

 

Matt DePlancke (Writhing)

My greatest holiday memory was Christmas Eve 1991 when my grandma bought me my first guitar. I believe it was a Harmony acoustic, likely ordered from a Service Merchandise catalog. What I am looking forward to most is the coming apocalypse during which Writhing will rule over the scorched earth and enslave the rest of humanity.

 

Liz Wittman (Lettercamp)

The greatest gift I ever got was when my sister's partner, Mel, bought me a ticket to go be with my family in New Mexico for Christmas a few years ago. I had not met her yet. It was the nicest, kindest gift anyone has ever gotten me. I was dirt poor and otherwise would be slumming it in a tiny apartment for Christmas. Mel is the best. This year? I just a want a pony.

Carolyn Striho

The train set I received when I was a little girl was awesome. Also, my first pair of riding boots from Hudson's when I was a teenager. I wore them to bed, to school, to shows, onstage. Also, the ice skates I got as a kid. The best gift recently was my surprise engagement ring at the holiday — shocking and great! For Christmas 2012, I hope to not be sick for the holidays, and to finish my CD. OK, and a new pair of spectacular, shiny riding boots, an autographed copy of an original edition of A Catcher in the Rye, a new Maine Coon kitten. Also, an autographed copy of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

 

Al Jacquez (Savage Grace)

I spent Christmas 2011 with immediate family. The day was simple and slow. I was able to focus on the birth of Christ. This year, I would like to sing more. I would love to see Michigan bands work more for a fair wage.

 

Liz Ruiner (The Ruiners)

I remember back in the day when I was a kid, my grandma and aunts were still alive and they used to buy me lots of cool gifts. But the best gift I received when I was 10 years old from my parents was a guitar. I'm hoping this new year to finally put out a CD with my band the Luckouts.

 

Ty Stone

The greatest gift I ever received for Christmas was a trip to space camp when I was 11. My parents saved all year for it. It was a huge deal to a junior space cadet. This year I'm excited to be spending the holidays with my beautiful fiancee, Val, as we prepare for our upcoming wedding. Val&Ty's Day.

 

Katie Grace

The best Christmas gift I ever got was from my parents. I am the youngest of four siblings. I have three older brothers, so as you can imagine, I was a bit of a tomboy growing up. Which all started on the day of my birth. My parents were in the hospital expecting the baby coming out to make it an even four boys. But, as I made my first appearance into the world, the doctor held me up and exclaimed, "Congratulations! It's a girl!" In the excitement of the moment, my parents look at each other and say, "A girl?! What do you do with a girl?!" Fast forward to Christmas morning. I was 12 years old. My parents, three brothers and I are gathered around the Christmas tree ready to open presents. We open presents in order from oldest, to youngest, so I patiently wait my turn to open the biggest present! Finally it was my turn to tear my present open and my dad exclaimed, "Wow! Look at that! It's a scroll saw." In the excitement of the moment, I turn and look at my parents and say, "A scroll saw?! What do you do with a scroll saw?!" I never got the traditional teenage girl gifts of training bras and lip balm — I got woodworking projects.

 

Tasha Lord (The Flutter and Wow) 

Christmas 2007 in Boca Raton, Fla., with the Jewish-Mexican side of my family. At the time we didn't have much money and the trip was costly, so I didn't have a fancy holiday dress and our gifts were pretty humble. I got a pair of gloves and a knife set from [my now-husband] Brian — all stuff I needed so I was grateful, but you know, not the kind of stuff that makes your toes tingle. Early in the day my stepmom asked me if I thought Brian and I would ever get married. We knew we would since the first week we met, but it was never on my mind as to when. As cheesy as it sounds my dream had already come true finding that man, so I was in no hurry and had no clue how we might afford a ring, wedding and all that jazz anyway. The Christmas parties get very boisterous over at my Jewish dad's house, as you could imagine, and Brian kept disappearing, which left me irritable and at about midnight I was ready to retire when the second wave of Christmas partiers arrived. Brian finally reappeared and led me outside to a secluded area of my dad's property where he got on both knees in front of my legs. Thinking he was getting frisky with me in my dad's yard, I questioned his sobriety since my dad can snap a man's neck with his forefinger and thumb. After he had quieted me down, which is a talent of his, he slipped a beautiful ring on the wrong finger of the wrong hand, and asked if I would marry him. After a big yes, drunken dancing and speeches and the best Christmas ever proceeded. As for this year, every year my stepmom buys all three of us girls the most awesome fancy lingerie sets! I also can't wait to see the Jewish/Mexican side of our family again since it has been much too long since our last trip! 

 

Jason Stollsteimer (Hounds Below)

My favorite holiday memory is going shopping for my family at my elementary school. My school would set up a "store" full of crap little items, but to a 7-year-old little boy, it was all gold. I remember feeling so mature and proud to be able to pick out all the presents for my family members without any help.

> Email Brett Callwood

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