December 3, 2004

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

What are you doing to alleviate stress during the holidays?
(Asked at Target on Capital Expressway)


“I don’t get stressed during the holidays. It’s such a fun time of year; it’s a time to be with family and friends. I love Christmas, the season and the food.

Suzane Berger, early 50s
Evergreen/Silver Creek
Sales

“I stay at home. I don’t get out. If I need something, I check out the ads and run out to that store, and I don’t stay in it very long. We stopped decorating about four years ago. The kids are grown. We just put up a créche [nativity] with a small tree.”

Johnny de la Cerda, 52
Evergreen
Retired

“We just sit around the Christmas tree and drink hot cocoa. Shopping is stressful.”

Lena Rodriguez, 25
Evergreen
Assembler

“I sleep. Decorating and shopping are my wife’s job. I help with the outside, but the inside belongs to my wife: she does all the shopping.”

Ernesto Cardenas, 53
Evergreen/Silver Creek
Roofing contractor


“I go shopping. I don’t really go with the flow, I just have fun,” said Cheryl.

“I go duck hunting in the Bay,” said Brian.

Cheryl Sheridan, 40; Brian Sheridan, 36
Evergreen
Teacher’s aide at Lauralwood School, a driver for Granite Rock

“We stay at home a lot and try to avoid the crowds and Christmas rush. We get the shopping done early. I also exercise on my treadmill at home.”

Maribel Garcia, 36
East San Jose
Helps part time at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library

“I get rid of the stress by shopping early. We do all of it—the parties, celebrations, cookie exchanges. If you plan well early, then you can sit back and enjoy all of it.”

Rhonda Jahn, 42
Evergreen
Homemaker and mom

“With yoga, meditation tapes and hot baths!”

Edie Brodsky
Evergreen
Homemaker