The PEOPLE staff members have the holiday spirit and are sharing their hot takes on Christmas traditions, from controversial foods to festive decorations. While some stand by the goodness of fruitcake, others reject ornaments and classic holiday music. As we dive into the holiday season, these staff members have opinions that may resonate with both Christmas enthusiasts and Grinches alike.
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Rachel DeSantis, a Senior Writer at PEOPLE, believes that LED lights have stripped Christmas trees of their magic, calling them soulless and cold. On the other hand, Lexi Lane, an Associate Producer, prefers light-free trees for easier decorating. Sabienna Bowman, Digital Editor, advocates for nostalgic, handmade ornaments over sleek, modern decorations. Lizzie Hyman, a Writer/Reporter, argues that in a bustling city like New York, a real tree is more hassle than it’s worth.

Ingrid Vasquez, another Writer/Reporter, insists that Christmas trees should not go up before Thanksgiving to preserve the essence of gratitude and reflection in the holiday season. Eric Andersson, a Senior Writer in Movies, appreciates the simplicity of white lights on a tree without ornaments, finding beauty in the natural greenery. Elissa Whalen, an Associate Producer, is tired of the Grinch being everywhere during the holidays, while Lizz Schumer, a Senior Editor, detests glitter that sticks around long after the ornaments are put away.
Sara Belcher, a Staff Editor in Society & Culture, admits to despising Christmas music and urges celebrities to stop releasing holiday albums. Alex Apatoff, Managing Editor of Special Integrated Projects, values sending holiday cards as a tradition that should not be abandoned. Rachel McRady, a Staff Editor, defends fruitcake as a delicious holiday dessert when made with quality ingredients, challenging its bad reputation. Skyler Caruso, a Staff Writer in Sports and Style, advocates for creativity in cookie making, suggesting hand-cut designs over traditional cookie cutters.
On the other hand, Lindsay Kimble, Executive Editor of News, draws the line at eggnog, branding it as disgusting due to its ingredients and advises against serving it at holiday parties. Despite the varying opinions within the PEOPLE staff, one thing is clear – the holiday season is a time for personal traditions and preferences, whether it’s decking out a Christmas tree with handmade ornaments or keeping it simple with just lights.
The holiday season brings out differing viewpoints on traditions, foods, and decorations, and the PEOPLE staff certainly doesn’t shy away from sharing their unique hot takes. As the Christmas countdown continues, it’s evident that each individual’s holiday spirit is as diverse as the decorations adorning their trees. Whether you’re a fan of fruitcake or firmly against eggnog, there’s a place for everyone in the festive celebrations.
