The Disneyland website says "The holidays begin here."

Over the years for Gabe Murphy that has been true. The Northwest Nazarene freshman and his family have gone to the resort in Southern California countless times over the years and is a favorite Christmas memory.

"We have gone to Disneyland more times than I can count," he said. "I can't really fit on any of the rides. Tower of Terror is my favorite because I can fit on it. I just enjoy time with family. I've been going since I was a little kid, so I like the experience of it."

Here's guessing It's A Small World is not the 6-foot-9's second favorite ride.

Murphy said he'll spend Christmas day eating lots of food, opening gifts and then going to his aunt's house in the evening.

"It's going to be a lot sweeter now because I miss them so much," he said.

Unveiling A New Gift

George Reidy has a new gift he plans on showcasing this Christmas – being able to dunk.

He and his brother Ben often play his dad, Ken, and uncle, Brian, in a friendly game of two-on-two during the holidays. His dad used to have a key to a local elementary school and they would play there.

"I haven't been dunking for that long," Reidy said. "This last year was when I was really able to jump and play above the rim. If we play this Christmas, I might have to show them a little bit."

Ken played basketball at Pacific Lutheran, Uncle Brian ran track for the University of Montana, and brother Ben was on the University of Washington women's basketball practice squad, so it's not like young Reidy is the only college athlete on the court.

Other family traditions include getting together with the whole family on Christmas Eve, going to a church service and having dinner together.

"I'm just going to spend time with family and close friends," Reidy said, "and appreciate being home so I can catch up on sleep."

You've Got Mail

In this digital age it sometimes feels like writing letters with pen and paper is a lost art.

Erin Jenkins is an old soul, though.

She loves giving people meaningful gifts, including writing letters and notes to friends and family.

"I've always appreciated getting letters in the mail," she said. "I have every single letter that was sent to me when I was younger. I think handwritten letters just mean more because they require you to take time out of the day to tell someone personally how much they mean to you."

The Jenkins family typically loads up in the car on Christmas Eve and drives around looking at lights. They come home and get pajamas and then get up the next morning and eat coffee cake and drink egg nog and then have a Thanksgiving-esque meal.

"Right now it doesn't feel like a Christmas spirit vibe to me," she said, "because I'm  not at home decorating, but I think when I get there – I'll have nine days to spend with family for Christmas which will be super sweet."

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Despite severely disliking cold weather, Jordan Pinson does have fond memories of a particular snowball fight she had with her two older brothers.

In a rare snowfall for El Paso, Texas, the three kids were out in the yard … actually, she doesn't want me to finish this story.

Anyway, Pinson said the family keeps it pretty low key for Christmas. Sometimes they watch movies and open gifts at midnight, then go to their grandparents house the next day with all of their aunts and uncles. They are expecting a bigger crowd this year because her two older brothers have kids now.

"I just like being with my brothers and my parents and all of us being there opening presents," she said.