Holiday to-do lists don’t have to run your season, according to a lively “What’s the Buzz” segment on Live in the D.
Comedian Dave Mishevitz and founder of RiDetroit’s Jason Hall joined Tati and Kim for the group discussion. When asked which tradition causes the most stress, Mishevitz didn’t hesitate: “Buying gifts.” He joked that it’s the time when family who “unconditionally love you … have no idea anything about you,” and you still have to act thrilled.
Hall, meanwhile, shrugged off the pressure. “Nothing,” he said. “Built for this.”
On holiday cards, the two split. Mishevitz was all in: “I did it yesterday … notes to the people involved.” Hall waved it off as needless work and waste. “Hey, that’s work I don’t need to do, okay? It’s paper … We don’t need to do all this — call somebody.”
Wrapping gifts drew a similar divide. Mishevitz admitted to stretching supplies: “I’ve been using the same wrapping paper for about eight years,” he said, quipping that you just “unwrinkle it” and buy smaller gifts. Hall prefers simplicity: “I like the new bag stuff … You can just throw it in a wrapping bag.”
Both defended Elf on the Shelf. “Don’t shelf the elf,” Mishevitz said. “He needs the job.” Hall echoed the fun of it: “Anything to do with an elf, I’m with that action.”
As for decorations, Mishevitz kept it minimal — a tree to “set the mood” and an R2-D2 in a snow cap — while Hall said a cat and dog mean there’s no tree at home: “We really don’t go all out.”
Holiday parties got a conditional yes. Mishevitz wants details before RSVPing: “Send me the menu … What are the rules to the white elephant? … Cured meats. Got to have them.” Hall is a firm go if the spread is right. “There’s only a couple times a year you get this type of food,” he said. “Absolutely,” he’ll attend.
The takeaway from both: Keep what sparks joy, skip what doesn’t.
To watch the segment, click on the video above.