[carnation]

Anybody out there have some Christmas traditions, even unusual ones, that you want to tell us about?

Our family always has clam chowder on Christmas Eve. Then we carol and take homebaked cookies to the neighbors.

We also work at the local fiesta for underprivileged Hispanic kids and try to sponsor at least 2 families to make Christmas for them. This year, my Spanish students will take a family as well! Boy, does this teach middle-class kids to appreciate what they've got.

We also pool the money we earn from prizes at the fair and go to a Chinese restaurant during the holidays. (For "Christmas Story" fans--DECK the halls with barrs of horry, fa-ra-ra-ra-ra....)