Sidewalk Prophets

We love Christmas and here are a few of our favorite things about this time of year!

DAVE
Favorite Christmas Memory: One of my favorite gifts that I've ever received was a Nintendo entertainment system. I came downstairs to find this rectangular box and inside was a gorgeous gray piece of the 90's. Fast forward to college and I'm playing Mario still and who should happen to walk in to my dorm room, but Ben McDonald. I like to think that it was because of the Nintendo that here we are today with a band together named Sidewalk Prophets.

Favorite Christmas Tradition: Definitely decorating our Christmas tree. The Christmas tree decorating always kicks off with Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas album. Then, after the entire tree is decorated, at the very end, we turn off all the lights and look at the beautiful Christmas tree and listen to Charlie Brown's Christmas album.

BEN
Favorite Christmas Memory: Probably music at family gatherings - my Grandpa on the fiddle, uncle on the drums, dad on guitar and everyone singing (some better than others)! Good times.

Favorite Christmas Tradition: Decorating the Christmas tree while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: "She'll have to see it later dear, her eyes are frozen." CLASSIC.

CAL
Favorite Christmas Memory: When I think back, my favorite memories are of spending Christmas day with my family growing up. We would sleep in a little, open presents, eat a really great brunch and just enjoy the day together.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: In my family, my mom always cooks an authentic Swedish dinner for Christmas (well at least the meal she learned from her mother and so on), and it is definitely something that I look forward to every year. Swedish meatballs, Korv Sausage, Limpa bread, creamed potatoes, Lingonberry jam (which I pass on), rice pudding and sometimes even Pepparkakor cookies... yum!

JUSTIN
Favorite Christmas memory: The candlelight services on Christmas Eve.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Opening one gift on Christmas Eve!

SHAUN
Favorite Christmas Memory / Story: Last year, my wife and I surprised our families with the news that my wife was pregnant. We gave each of our moms a gift bag with little booties in it and let them figure out the rest. Both of our moms screamed and began to shed tears of joy.

Best Present You Ever Received / Best Present You Ever Gave: My Martin Acoustic guitar from my parents. I had been playing guitar for about about 2 years and my starter acoustic was started to show wear. After we opened all our gifts Christmas morning, my parents said there was one more thing. They went in their bedroom and brought out the guitar.

Favorite Holiday Tradition: Before Christmas Eve dinner, we always pull Party Poppers and wear the colored tissue paper hats during the meal.