Like most kids (yes, I had a childhood before I became a Coyotes beat writer), my favorite part of the holidays was the stuff I got.

I liked the gifts. I liked the candy. I liked the attention that my sisters, cousins and I got for those awful plays and concerts we staged and forced the adults to watch.

When I became an adult, the holidays became more about food.

Sure, getting together with family is great, but let's face it: There's always a certain level of dysfunction at those large family gatherings, whether it's the inappropriate uncle, the crazy aunt, the detached nephew or the late-teen niece who is still obsessed with Disneyland.

I like to participate in all those conv...