Another Design Market Holiday Feature coming at you. Just who’s sharing her holiday spirit with us today? It’s the one and only Kristen McGill, cherished and highly-skilled designer who offers up her awesome templates to make your life a little easier. Before you check out her most amazing designs, take a minute to get to know a little about Ms. McGill’s holiday loves.

What’s your favorite holiday food?

Ummm, yes. I love all kinds of food, so it’s kind of hard to say I have one favorite. If I had to pick just one, I would say peppermint ice cream. Yum!

What’s your most treasured memory from this time of year?

My childhood Christmas Eve traditions with my family are always filed in the “treasured memory” box: Opening of the Christmas Eve present (always, always pajamas); roasting hot dogs in the fireplace; reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas; my Dad and I singing the little-known tune Randolph the Bow-Legged Cowboy (and Dad singing in the fakest, deepest voice you have ever heard); and trying to sleep, although I usually stayed up all night. These are just a few of the things that I remember the most.

What projects, either professional or personal, do you enjoy tackling during the holidays?

My favorite projects are service projects which assist people who need help, love, food, a listening ear…or just whatever. These are things that are needed year-round and not just at Christmas. So, I have really focused my attention on projects that I can do all year long and I have a couple of favorites: 1) we make and serve a meal to 100 people once a month at a local park with Friends of the Homeless; and 2) we go to Guatemala the week following Christmas every year to serve the girls at Shadow of His Wings, my hands-down favorite place on earth.

If you went out caroling, what songs would you sing?

Always songs that everyone knew the words to without having to read music in the dark – Joy to the World, Silent Night and Away in a Manger were go-to favorites.

Do you have any family traditions during the holidays that you just love?

Every year, my Mom let me pick out an ornament at the store that would be “my” ornament for that year. After I grew up and left the house, she packed up all of those ornaments and gave them to me. And now those have become a part of my tree. It is so fun to put them on the tree each year and relive the memories. You can clearly follow the trends of what I was “into” each year in my childhood, from Shirt Tales to Rainbow Bright, every childhood obsession is there. Hmmm, now that I think about it, maybe she packed them up and gave them to me because she no longer wanted that ugly Rainbow Bright ornament on her tree. I’m onto you Mom!

What’s your favorite holiday movie?

Elf – “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

What great memories and traditions you have, Kristen. Talk about spreading some holiday cheer. Thanks for being a part of the Miller’s family and for your exquisite designs. Here’s to you and all you do!

Visit the Design Market to preview Kristen McGill’s holiday templates and find the perfect match for your clients’ cards this season.