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In this festive episode of 50 Cups Hot Takes, join the host and special guest Jim Baker, owner of the 50 Cups Tea Company, as they dive into their Christmas experiences and traditions. From discussing spicy cinnamon tea perfect for the holidays to sharing fond memories of Christmases past, listeners will enjoy stories of family traditions, the challenge of Santa beliefs, and holiday shopping. Jim also reflects on the balance between the commercial and spiritual aspects of Christmas and shares insights on charitable giving. The episode concludes with some light-hearted grumbling about holiday hassles and airline stories, making it a perfect blend of heartwarming and entertaining content for the Christmas season.
00:00 Introduction and Holiday Spirit
00:35 Guest Introduction: Jim Baker
01:17 Christmas Traditions and Family Memories
02:29 Shopping and Gift Giving
03:38 Santa Claus: Belief and Revelation
07:02 Holiday Parties and Traditions
10:29 Spiritual Reflections on Christmas
15:30 Modern Christmas Challenges and Joys
18:06 Spreading Holiday Cheer
18:19 Debating Christmas Music
20:31 Charity and Giving Back
22:20 Frustrations with Airlines
27:22 Christmas Morning Traditions
29:01 Holiday Meals and Preferences
29:31 Final Thoughts and Advice
31:02 Christmas Lights and Last-Minute Gifts
Creators and Guests
Host
Jim Baker
Author of "The Adventure Begins When The Plan Falls Apart" Converting a Crisis into Company Success, Jim is a husband and father of 4, Baker has spent the last 30 years in the business world as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. He had a successful exit in 2014 after owning and managing a CRO and functional services company, Ockham, specializing in Oncology. During that time prior to exit, Baker grew ASG and then Ockham both organically and through M&A. Over time Baker has experience in acquiring and selling companies, working with investment bankers, private equity, and mezzanine debt funding. In addition, has vast experience in business branding and managing and leading people. After the sale to Chiltern International, Baker started Sumus Development Group, an advisory business focused on operational excellence, exit strategy and marketing. In addition, Baker is an active investor in the business community.
What is Hot Takes: 50Cups?
United We Sip – Dive into the fascinating world of American culture with "Hot Takes: 50Cups." Join founder Jim Baker as he shares his hot takes on everything from day to day life, business trends and societal shifts, uncovering how we are all more united than we think.
At 50Cups, we believe in the power of community and the shared goal of living a healthy, fulfilled life. Our mission is to inspire you through organic, great-tasting teas, education, and awareness, uniting us all in our quest for better living.
Each episode of "Hot Takes: 50Cups" features Jim's candid and insightful commentary on the challenges, triumphs, and everyday experiences that shape our collective journey. From entrepreneurial wisdom, cultural observations, to health topics and nutrition this podcast offers a fresh perspective that will leave you inspired and enlightened.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or simply curious about the threads that bind us, this podcast is your gateway to understanding and connection.
Subscribe now and join the conversation!
29 - Hot Takes - Christmas
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[00:00:27] Bill: Hello everyone. Ho ho, ho ho. Just that time of year, see I can't be Santa Claus. It's time for 50 Cups Hot Takes. And this time we're gonna talk about Christmas with the one only Jim Bakker, who is a very successful guy. He's an entrepreneur and he's also owner of the 50 Cups Tea Company.
And he, man, it's like you knew we were gonna talk about. Christmas today because the tea you brought in is spicy. Cinnamon is delicious. It's perfect for the holidays. It
[00:00:54] Jim: is. Perfect for today actually. It's a little chilly outside and you know, we're getting close to Christmas. Yeah. So the weather's seasonal, which is great.
And I that voice, I think we gotta get you a suit next year and a couple pillows or we can fatten you up in 2026. Most people wanna lose weight. Maybe you can gain it for you, Jim, and then absolutely you can have a second career. Next, next December.
[00:01:17] Bill: Well, you know, I Christmas time, I love this time here.
I wish, you know, you hear it all the time. People say, I wish people were like this year round. But it is that time of the year where people. Tend to be nicer on one, one end of the spectrum, but also on the other end they can be darn right. Nasty. I just thought maybe we could just open it up and talk and get your perspective on Christmas, some of your hot takes about your family and what's going on with you.
[00:01:40] Jim: I will say that for me, Christmas has been. It becomes better and better. Um, you know, when you have little kids, it's fun 'cause you're excited for them, but you're also running around like a crazy person. And so is your wife. Yeah. Now my kids are older, we have grandkids, so it's different. We still host and I think unfortunately that's, that'll probably go away in the next.
Three or four years. 'cause I've done anything, like my wife and I, once our kids were, you know, old enough, 2, 3, 4 years old. Mm-hmm. Um, Santa Claus stayed at our house. Right. And my guess is we're gonna be, you know, going someplace else, you know, down the road. Yeah. So, um, so I'm grateful for the fact that, you know, they're gonna be still coming, you know, to our house for this Christmas, but I know that's, that's limited down the road.
Um. I think the whole online world in this case has been great. So much easier to shop.
[00:02:35] Bill: Oh, man. Isn't it, it's one of the downsides for me. I'm not a big shopper, only because I, I don't know what to get people. I just don't. It's very frustrating. And so, yeah, with Amazon and all of the delivery systems you really don't need to put pants on Jim.
You can just wait till they deliver
[00:02:53] Jim: it to your door. I know. It's great. And we my son's grill in Colorado. Caught on fire. Oh man. About a month ago. Yeah. So I needed a new grill, so I thought, wow, great Christmas present and kudos to Ace Hardware. I found a ace location local to them, ordered the grill online, they put it together and delivered it last Saturday.
And I'm thinking if I had to do this 15, 20 years ago, excuse me, five years ago, yeah, it would've been. A burden on myself. And to your point, didn't have to dress up, didn't have to do anything. I just had to have a credit card. Just take the credit. Yeah. And then pay the credit card, I guess. Yeah. And they were great.
I mean, they delivered on time and everything else and he's sent me videos of him cooking on it. And he's very happy. I'm happy. And yeah, ACE is happy 'cause they made some money. I have, um, let me,
[00:03:37] Bill: let me ask you this. I have a 10-year-old at home and I've gone through this before with my older kids and it's this time of year especially, they approach a certain age.
And then people begin to wonder, little ones begin to wonder if Santa Claus is real or not. I happened to be at the doctor's office for just to check up and I was chit-chatting with the nurse and I said, my 10-year-old is starting to question. I don't think she believes. What should I do? She said, I said, what did you do with yours?
She said, I told 'em right off the top, there's no Santa Claus, it's the parent and you better mind yourself because I buy the gifts. You want any, you be good. So that's that attitude. And of course we love to have the kids kind of play into that that whole Santa Claus thing. What did you do with your kids, if I may ask?
When did you break the news to them? Were they just figured out it was you all along? Just
[00:04:25] Jim: let 'em figure it out over time? Yeah. No one really asked. Um, our oldest believes I think probably the longest. Yeah. Maybe 10 or 11 years old. And then as the younger ones are coming up, the spell was broken by the older kids.
Sure, of course. And it never really is an issue for us. I mean, I remember. Doing the fireplace, dust and the boots and Oh, sure. The milk and the cookies. Yeah. And where we lived, you could look out the window and see these, um. I guess you'd call 'em radio towers with red lights, Uhhuh and I would point out at night and say, that's the reindeer.
And um, you know, they thought that was kind of cool. Don't you miss that until around 11 or 12?
[00:05:10] Bill: Yeah, it was always tough getting them to, to sleep. I don't know if you opened your presents on the eve or the day. We were kind of the, we opened up the next morning. But, um, let me ask you then. I believed at some point you must have believed in Santa Claus.
Did it change? I mean, it changed for me. That's why I'm asking. When you, you went from a believer to a non-believer. How did it change for you?
[00:05:30] Jim: I remember vividly, I remember I had some, I was I think maybe fifth grade and I had some older friends and they were basically telling me there's no Santa. Yeah.
And I didn't believe it. Um, and you defended Santa even. So I decided to explore my house one day. And um, I pulled down the. Rope for the attic and went upstairs and Baboom, there were the presents. So I had to give my mom and dad credit for a good hiding place. Yeah. But once you're old enough and you're able to pull that rope down, then all bets are off.
But I did. Keep it a secret and didn't wreck it for my, my brother was a year younger than me, so he and I probably figured it out at the same time. But then the other two, we kind of kept quiet until, you know, they were of age basically.
[00:06:15] Bill: Yeah. I when I, I, I saw a meme or something somewhere where they said, when you tell your.
Child if they're really asking, you know, to first ask them if they really want the truth, if they do, because it's gonna change your relationship with Santa. And just I thought it was kind of a clever way to do it. And it's probably not original, but they make 'em Santa's helpers, in other words, to keep the little suckers quiet for all the younger ones.
But I, I know that's such a big part of Christmas and, and family getting together. Your family's grown. You just mentioned that. I mean, you talked a little bit bit about what you're gonna do, but are there any special traditions you guys, you guys do every, every Christmas?
[00:06:54] Jim: Yeah, and I just getting back to your original question, I think ultimately we just kept telling our kids believe what you wanna believe.
Right, right. And, you know, and then it took care of itself, but tradition, so we have a party every year. It's called Cookies and Cocktails on the 22nd. And it was primarily for our kids. When they went to college, friends and their parents and Nice. As we've aged, the party was kind of quiet and calm when they were younger and that's when they turned over 21.
It was probably four or five years where it ended at 3:00 AM Oh wow. And now we're seeing it rolling back to ending around 10 or 11. And this year it's probably gonna end around nine 30 because a lot of my. Kids, our kids friends have kids, so they bring the babies. Sure. And then they blow out of the house by, you know, eight or 8 30, 9 o'clock at night.
So I don't think we're gonna have a very late night this year. So you can see that evolution. So the, that's the tradition. But the on the cool thing is that next morning, the 23rd. Who's ever home in this case, it's always my daughters that no matter what, they'll either drive in or they'll be there.
They've taken copious notes in their head the entire night before, and basically it's a recount of what happened the night before. And it's great conversation for a couple hours as we go through, you know, all the good things that happened in the party. And then we always name an MVP, somebody who went above and beyond.
The partying part of the party. And so there's always somebody that. We'll leave various plates and or beer cans on the way to the, the car. One year a girl left her wallet in the grass that I found at seven o'clock in the morning. So, I mean, there's always a story but we select the MVP and then we'll send out a group text to all of our guests saying, congratulations, you, you became the MVP.
Then the last thing we do is on Christmas Eve night, we always read the twice the night before Christmas, and each kid took a turn reading a page. We started doing that probably when, you know, they were, you know, reading age, you know, eight or nine years old. And they still do it today, and our oldest is 34 years old, so that's kind of cool.
[00:09:10] Bill: You're a risky guy, you know, with the advent of YouTube, you're, you're lucky they're just talking about it. Jim, I might see you someday with a lot of clicks. How about presents? What do you spend on Christmas? What a lot of people go, I think I've fallen to that group where I spend more than I should, but.
How do you feel about spending in Christmas and presents?
[00:09:31] Jim: I remember my mom, who's a phenomenal mom. She's still alive. I had her on as a guest here, you know, six months ago or so. But she would always overspend on Christmas when we were kids and we didn't have the money. And then she absolutely overspent for my kids and to the point where I had to say to her.
It's not about quantity. Um, I can't have you buying more gifts than us. Right. And we have a limit. You're making us look that. And you know, I'd say probably our limit, you know, is a couple hundred bucks. Yeah. Nothing crazy. Um, per kid. Per kid. Yeah. Yeah. And, um, I. And that's kind of how we kept it. So I had to tell my mom and it turned out to be a problem, you know, for a little while between her and I.
But, you know, she adjusted and, um, now that she's older, it doesn't really matter anymore. But, um, you know, I just remember it's like we don't need to overindulge at Christmas. I mean, there's a bigger meaning
[00:10:20] Bill: here. Well, there you go. And that, that was gonna transition into that because we talk about Santa and elves in present in trees.
Obviously we celebrate Christmas. The real reason we celebrate is if you're a Christian is because of the the birth of Jesus Christ. So religious versus the, the Pagan holiday that we, we celebrate with Macy's and the rest of the group.
[00:10:43] Jim: What are your thoughts? Yeah, it's important to us and we always go to, to mass.
We're Catholic. We go to mass on Christmas Eve. Mm-hmm. Um, we fight the crowds. Some of us get there early. Me. That sit and my wife, for whatever reason, wants to show up like five minutes before. 'cause the crowds drive her nuts. Yep. So I've offered my seat, but she protests and she wants to stand in the back.
But we have everybody that goes, um, everybody goes and we, you know, we then reflect on it after we have a Christmas Eve where we ever in town, extra family comes over, my wife hosts Christmas Eve. And then, you know, we will reflect on, at the meaning of Christmas. And then we obviously read the book, which goes back to the Macy's part of Christmas with Santa Claus, right?
But this. The night before Christmas. Is there a little bit of a spiritual component in the book that we read? Sure. But yeah, I mean, it's all about reminding why we're actually here.
[00:11:38] Bill: Well, yeah, but not that there's anything really wrong with that. It's just, it's, it's a wonderful time to get together with family and it's probably the one thing we all share, whether you're a Christian or not, is that the Christmas holiday for the most part, and we go through it.
Throughout our life, you start off as a little kid believing something and it changes. And now you're growing older, you've got grandkids, I got grandkids and things do change. So as you look over your shoulder, Jim, and you go, wow, I remember, and now here we are. Have they gotten better for you Christmases, or do you miss anything about it getting together back in the day?
[00:12:11] Jim: I really don't. I mean, it was cool being a Christmas as a kid, um, but as an adult and as a parent, um. They're all great. Right. You know, we haven't had any crazy Christmases. We haven't had any, you know, YouTube stories, so to speak. Um, thankfully no one's gotten sick. We had one year where I think bronchitis was flying through the adult population in our household.
And Col and I were both sick at the same time, but we powered through it. Kids were fine, you know. Um, one thing I try to do now is do something different at Christmas. So. This year I'm doing the rosary in a year. So every day you do the rosary on this father mark, who's a podcaster. But my daughter said, Hey, any, anybody interested in, in reading a chapter of Luke, you know, during Christmas, um, you know, the 25 days or so before Christmas?
So I said, sure. So I'm doing that right now. Oh, neat. Which is kind of cool. How about you? Do you have anything going on with
[00:13:08] Bill: you? Just, um, well, trying to, trying to, save enough money for the overspending I'm about to partake on. I am an overs spender, but no, I, I look at it and it, I get more joy outta giving than I ever got out of getting.
I didn't know that when I was getting though. 'cause I was young and our Christmases were always, because we were, I came from a, a divorced family. We had to split up who we were gonna go see, so we came up with the tradition. It carries through now that on new Year's Eve is when we get together with our family.
Um, to give presents and celebrate Christmas. On Christmas. We do get together with them, but it's more or less something that they do individually for their, for their kids. You know, you're probably gonna be faced with that too and get up on Christmas morning and Christmas Eve and that sort of thing.
So that seems to be working out. But spiritually, I've been on that journey now for a few years and it's becoming more and more important and, um, and I just feel like I'm falling a little short on that. And we're gonna keep working at it because, um, when it really comes down to it, this is wonderful to get together there with the family, but there's something much bigger, I believe than, than what we're experiencing here.
So it has to be incorporated, I think. Yeah, and it's, it's tough to do and nowadays 'cause there's so much competition, right? There's the new, new electronic toy, there's this and that and so yeah,
[00:14:36] Jim: . In our Catholic church, in our parish, one could argue that there's not enough people, not enough people are coming back to the church, right.
But they all seem to show up at Christmas and Easter. So yes, that tells me that they believe, um, and it's important enough for them to come on the holidays. It's less important for 'em to come during the year. Right. But you never know. Maybe this year, you know, some family says, you know what, I'm gonna gonna.
You know, be more dedicated to my faith, you know, going forward, who knows? But the cool thing is they all show up at Christmas. Still aggravating to some of us, but nonetheless, it's great to see everybody there.
[00:15:14] Bill: Well, and you can certainly, I think head of your household and what your belief system is and what you celebrate with your kids.
Hopefully that's something everyone does, whether they go to church or not, you know? Yeah. But I hate to wait. Here's this. Talking about God and spiritual and all of that. And now let's talk about the gripes you might have about Christmas and some of the things that we're all putting up with, like trying to get into the mall parking lot in less than an hour.
God
[00:15:39] Jim: bless you for even going
[00:15:40] Bill: to the mall. No, I don't go to the mall. I
[00:15:41] Jim: drove right by it the other day. Yeah, no, um, not necessarily a Christmas gripe per se. Didn't just continue on the theme of positive. I used to be a anti Christmas carol. Person. Oh yeah. Because here in the north, in the southeast, um, decorations come up before Thanksgiving.
Mm-hmm. The radio stations start cranking out Christmas carols after Halloween basically. Yeah, absolutely. But my daughters especially, were like, oh, this is great. I mean, they thought Christmas season started on November 1st and growing up Christmas started after Thanksgiving. And I dunno if it's a southern thing or if it just the marketing blitz of.
Merchandising these days, but it seems like we just go from Halloween right to Christmas. Right, right. Um, nonetheless, I was anti Christmas Carol till after Thanksgiving and I would turn 'em off. I would, you know, tell my kids they couldn't listen to 'em when I was in the car. Oh, humbug. And they would give it right back to me.
Yeah. And I've decided, you know what, I'm gonna embrace it. So, I do listen to Carol's and I did 'em before Thanksgiving this year. I will say the problem with listening so early is that they don't know what to play. 'cause, and there's been a lot of bad music mm-hmm. That's been, um, recorded as Christmas carols that you have to kind of slug through, so you're constantly changing the stations and, or you just go to Spotify and play your favorites.
Right. The other night I was in Charlotte and I decided to Uber and first person I, I get in the Uber, um, driver he's playing Christmas carols, which I thought was kind of cool and I dunno if they've been told by Uber, but I don't think they have. Anyhow, gave me a nice cash tip and I thanked them for playing Christmas carols and worship a Merry Christmas.
Um, one thing I've learned when you tip off the Uber app, they don't get all the money. So if you do care about tipping the Ubers, give 'em cash. They're very happy. Um, not gonna benefit you at Uber at all, and they're not gonna come back and pick you up on the side. But, you know, it's just a nice gesture.
So I got picked up again, different person, um, probably needed a clean, his windshield, had that fog thing going on the windshield, but, um, and I don't understand why they don't put the defroster on sometimes. That's another story for another time. And anyhow, he also was cranking out Christmas carols. So he got a nice tip as well.
So it's kind of nice that, you know, it seems like these, you know, everything where I'm going these days, everybody seems to be in the spirit. Yeah, which is nice.
[00:18:19] Bill: Do you like the, um, there has a been a lot of good news stuff. Excuse me. Clear my throat here. Um, you. What about, what do you like the new stuff or the, the, the see the old vintage traditional stuff like the Ben Crosby, Dave Martin type stuff, or Mariah Carey stuff.
Yeah.
[00:18:37] Jim: So, which isn't all that current, I guess. No, it's not. But I do like the the new old stuff, Mariah Carey. Going back a little further. Bruce Springsteen. Mm-hmm. Um, I think The Killers might have done a song. So I like that stuff. The old, old stuff. It's kind of boring. Um, and there is no, there's nothing, by the way, what is originating other than the AI in our country at this point in time.
Oh, all the movies are remakes, right? Right. The songs are, are remakes. We don't have any really good new bands that I'm aware of that have hit our generation at least. Right. Um, so yeah. So I'd like to. The Santa Claus is coming to town by Springsteen, although he is not my favorite in in the world.
Um, that's a great song. Gets you fired up, picked up, happy, all that kind of stuff. And you can't beat Mariah Carey's song. No. She, um, I.
[00:19:29] Bill: Hits the billboard top whatever, top 40 every, every Christmas. And so that was a pretty good gig for her. Yeah, she collects a lot of, a lot of money just for that one song.
I dunno, it's just, it's kind of cool to, to just see everybody with a little bit of a bounce in their step. And I know for folks who, you know, this can be a tough time too, for a lot of different reasons. We used to and still do, donate to food and, and try to offer up some service where we can and volunteer.
How do you feel about that? It's folks giving back? Yeah,
[00:20:47] Jim: I think it's great. Um, this is the year, I mean, I know a lot of, I'm involved with a lot of nonprofits and I know, you know, once giving Tuesday rolls around first Tuesday in December, you know, through the end of the year, that's usually where they.
Generate most of their donations, and I think it's great. Um, I've struggled with charities throughout the year because on the face of it, a lot of 'em do say they do great stuff, but in reality, your money's not really going to what it's intended to do. So I've really done a deeper dive this year on what I'm, um, donating to and, um it's been in.
It's been hard, you know, to try to find that Oh yeah. That charity where the money, you know, is going directly to the homeless, let's say, or to feed people or to, you know, educate people or whatever. So, um, I think it's great. Um, I encourage it, but I just think basically better make sure that, you know, your, your money is going where you want it to go.
[00:21:39] Bill: Yeah. We always have a tree at school or radio stations usually sponsor. Um. Individuals who can't afford a gift for their, for their child, which always gives me pause. I guess you, you sometimes forget about those individuals. We think of them at this time of year, but the rest of the year it's a bit of a struggle for them and we don't really, really think about it.
It's hard to believe that a child might wake up and. Not have a, a Christmas gift from Santa. It is. So it's nice to hear folks step in. I mean, I hear stories from old people, you know, getting an orange and things like that. But being grateful,
[00:22:16] Jim: there's one entity I don't want to give any extra money to. And that's the airlines.
So you have to have an airline story. I'd love to hear. So we'll stick one in. Yep. So United, oh yes. Airlines who I fly a lot. I have a flight credit I had whenever I fly international. I book a backup just in case the original gets bamboozled. So, and then if I cancel it, I just keep the flight credit, or if I buy a fully refundable ticket, I'll get the money back.
[00:22:44] Bill: Good idea.
[00:22:45] Jim: I didn't have the option to fully, fully refundable in this case. So I, you know, bought a ticket and knew it was gonna turn into a flight credit, which it did. And so then the other day I was booking some domestic flights for some future travel and went to use my credit and I can't use a credit.
Doesn't tell me why. Just simply tells me, call now. Oh, I
[00:23:07] Bill: hate that.
[00:23:08] Jim: I am not stupid because I fly a lot. I think I'm under the impression that the airlines absolutely don't want you to call a human being in their company. They want you to do everything online. That's true.
[00:23:21] Bill: That's true.
[00:23:21] Jim: So then I'm thinking myself, why in the world would they make me call?
So I called, of course, got the wonderful music after doing, going through the artificial intelligence for a little while, and they told me my whole time would be about 10 minutes, no callback option, by the way. Right. And about 18 minutes later, I get somebody on the phone and go through the same thing I just explained to you.
Mm-hmm. And the agent's like yeah, you have to call. And I said, why? She goes, well, that's ticket XY class, blah, blah, blah. You have to call, but you only have to call once. And I said, well,
[00:23:59] Bill: makes no sense. Makes no
[00:24:00] Jim: sense. That's what I said. Damn. I said, look, I know your whole airline wants us to be online, and by the way, in the recording it says, if you need to book a reservation, we're gonna charge you an extra $39 to do it where it's free.
And that shouldn't say it's free, but there's no extra charge to book something on the app or on the site. So anyhow, I started going through my stuff with her and the flight that I'm taking, I have it on my app. Then she says, you have to get off your app. 'cause I can't, I can't do the ticket so, and I have to get off Uhhuh.
So we go through everything and I said, you know, I know what the price is. She says looks like you're gonna burn your entire credit up. And I said, that's impossible. I said, there's no way. 'cause I'm looking at the price and I know what it is. It's maybe 20% of this credit. Right? And, hold on a second. So now I'm in minute 23 on my phone.
Minute 45. She gets back on the phone. I love your persistence. I just love it. That's why you're successful. Well, meanwhile making breakfast, everyone else has hung up long ago. I'm doing stuff. Yeah. I just have it on speaker and Wow. So she pops back on and I was, you know, I was living in fear of getting dropped.
Absolutely. And having to go through this whole thing again, right? Yes. Thankfully that didn't happen that day. And she says. Okay. Um, I got the price, I got the ticket, blah, blah, blah, seats, blah, blah, blah. Um, and you'll have a credit back, but we have to charge you a change fee. I said, what? You're flying to Denver?
Your pre COVID change fee is back. Oh my goodness. I said, that's a, what do you mean you guys? I thought there was no more change fees. Well, because you bought an international ticket. And now you're flying domestic. Only we have to charge you a change fee. Well, of course you can understand the bookkeeping.
Yeah, it's tough. It's gotta be, it's gotta hit one extra prompt. It's tough. Absolutely. So meanwhile, my head's about to blow off my shoulders and so I'm like, fine. You never lose your cool though, do you? No. Have you ever lost your cool and just let someone have it? She said, I was not yelling. I said, no, I know you don't.
This is unbelievable. And I started laughing and she goes, well, I know you're upset. And I said, wouldn't you be. She didn't respond. Yeah, because she knows she would be upset also. So anyhow, we got it done. And now the good news is yes, and she's made it sound like this is the greatest thing. It's like health insurance, of course.
Look what I've done for you. Just so you know, now that you've broken the flight credit, so to speak, the remaining balance can be booked without a phone call. I'm like, oh wow. Oh,
[00:26:34] Bill: it's so s nice of them to do that. Airlines, um, I guess you gotta give 'em credit for trying to get a buck where everything get a buck, but it is infuriating and people are flying this time of year.
[00:26:46] Jim: Yeah.
[00:26:46] Bill: And piece of what I've heard about air traffic controllers and everything else, I'm not sure I want to do that, but has your flying been relatively smooth for you? You do it a lot? I have.
[00:26:56] Jim: I've been very fortunate so far, even during the. Government shutdown. I, I flew and, um, I didn't have any delays or anything, so it's been, I've been lucky.
But listen, as we all know, you get on that plane, you get nothing. Right. Um, you're lucky to even give you a seat these days and you know, you just hope you get there and back on time and safely.
[00:27:16] Bill: Yeah. Right. Really that's, we've lowered our expectations right across the board, I think on everything. For me, I think the most fun talking about Christmas is for us, we celebrate Christmas morning.
Is because I have a 10-year-old in the house and we've, each year now, you know, over the years it's been so much fun to watch her open, open things up and have this innocence and this thrill about life opening up some of the, the dumbest things you could possibly buy for a kid. Right. As we grew, get older, we kind of, we kinda lose that.
Do you have something you really look forward to in your household?
[00:27:54] Jim: When it's over. You're what? I said when it's over. I'm just kidding. Yeah, like I said, it's we, so we open on Christmas morning. All right. Um, and when the kids were younger, you know, I would pretend my wife would pretend to, you know, they'd jump on our bed at seven o'clock in the morning and we're like, it's too early.
It's too early. Oh, yeah. But we get up and, you know, so you lose that exuberance and that innocence. Um, now it's nine o'clock, right? And. You know, everybody's awake and they've had their coffee, tea, my case. Um, and we're kind of just hanging out, talking, and then we just open, you know, a, a non chaotic, you know, gift process.
Right. Um, but there was a time there where they were teenagers and you've been through this and Sure. College kids where they'd come out, half eyes closed, they'd lay the couch, you know, sleeping. They wouldn't make any room for anybody and you know, but that stage is gone now. Right. So, um, but I just like.
The, the morning piece of it. But then I love the Christmas dinner in the afternoon. We just have a good, it's usually just does at that point in time. Right. And it's just, it's intimate and it's fun and it's good. Any and no Turkey. No Turkey. Yeah. Turkey should be banned from any holiday meal, especially Thanksgiving should be, especially
[00:29:09] Bill: Thanksgiving.
Really
[00:29:10] Jim: Veal, I mean, not veal, um, filet any type of steak. Some of our crab legs are wonderful. Yeah. Yeah. Anything that we'll probably do on get choke down, it's dry. It's terrible.
[00:29:20] Bill: Yeah. Well, good to know. Well, we won't invite you over for that Turkey dinner that we were planning to. I mean, who
[00:29:26] Jim: in this listening audience dream about eating a Turkey?
Nobody.
[00:29:30] Bill: Okay. Any words, any advice for the folks who are watching listening?
[00:29:35] Jim: Yeah. Well, for United Airlines. Don't ever buy a international ticket that you gonna wanna try to exchange for a domestic ticket. Okay. Number one. Um, I don't know. I mean, I just think maybe just reflect on the fact that it's, you're alive because we lost some dear friends this year.
Yep. Um, and you're healthy. Yep. And your family's still around. Yep. I know, like I said, you and I both lost significant people this year. Yeah, you more so than me. And, um, it's okay. 'cause you know what? Christmas lasts 24 hours just like every other day. And um, you know, I think we tend to get stressed out with extra family members that might be around that you don't necessarily spend a lot of time with during the year.
And suddenly you gotta hug 'em and kiss 'em and think they're great, you know, for four or five hours and you hope you guy, they don't say something stupid. Yeah. And thankfully we don't have that anymore, but we did for a while. Yeah. Um, but I don't know, just, just. Take it and just appreciate the fact that there's a reason why we're here at Christmas time, man.
It's, those are
[00:30:36] Bill: wonderful words. Do Trump or any of that over the the, um, file mignon, I guess file mignon? Probably not a good idea. Yep. I gotta call my guy today actually and make sure I get it. I hope you do. And well this was kind of fun and what time was the cookie party in case people wanna seven o'clock?
The 22nd.
[00:30:59] Jim: Alright. Sounds like good early night though, Jim. So, yeah. Oh, wait, one more thing. Yes. In our neighborhood,
[00:31:06] Bill: yes,
[00:31:07] Jim: we have people that put the Christmas lights on your house.
[00:31:10] Bill: Oh yes.
[00:31:12] Jim: I know it's expensive for some, but if you're like me. Christmas, pre-Christmas was wildly aggravating and stressful because your wife every year would want extra stuff.
On the house. Yes. You have to get up on a ladder. Yes. You have to pull stuff outta the crawlspace. That never worked. Yes. Um, it was a nightmare. One bulb. I hate it. Yep. This guy shows up. He could charge me triple what he's charging me right now. He throws that stuff up. We hit a switch. She's thrilled. I'm thrilled.
Times 10. 10. Do you have his card? I was actually thinking about doing that, that card. I dunno if he goes up your way, but I'll give it to you. It's the best money ever spent. Yeah. And if you're worried you can't afford it, just don't go take, do takeout from January till April. It'll pay for itself. You'll be healthier anyhow.
And you can pay for the Christmas lights.
[00:31:57] Bill: Forgot about that. I got that to do this weekend. I've been putting it off.
[00:32:00] Jim: Yeah, I know. I know why too. Alright, well Merry Christmas everybody. You as well. Merry Christmas everybody.
[00:32:06] Bill: Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait. Last minute. You last minute Gift something you should have at your Christmas party, and I bet you do, is this wonderful tea that you sell.
If you need something special for that loved one on your Christmas list, how do they get this tea? Jim?
[00:32:24] Jim: 50 cups tea.com. Get a quick 'cause. Come January one, the website might be turned off, so get her quick. Okay. Ho ho, ho. Merry Christmas everyone. All right. God bless.