With twinkling lights, the aroma of fresh baked cookies and jolly tunes filling the air, the holiday cheer is in full swing in Maricopa. To get into the holiday spirit, we asked some of our neighbors — and each Maricopa City Council member — what fills their holidays with joy and makes this season special.

Ron Angerame 

Residence: Glennwilde 

Age: 71 

We always buy Christmas pajamas for the family and wear them when opening presents and taking photos. Then I go to town and cook a big Italian-style meal. 

Luca Hernandez 

Residence: The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado   

Age: 18 

I just enjoy spending time with family.

Marcus & Judy Jefferson 

Residence: Province 

Ages: 70 & 72 

We enjoy eating and fellowshipping with family. 

Cory Cates 

Residence: Rancho El Dorado 

Age: 19 

I prefer Thanksgiving to Christmas, but the food is my favorite part of the holidays. I also like how I get to visit and see all of my family. 

Amanda Martinson 

Residence: Glennwilde 

Age: 37 

On Christmas Eve, I give each of my kids a box filled with matching Christmas jammies, a Christmas movie, hot chocolate and a new mug. They always know it’s coming, so they sometimes ask if we can do it a day early. 

Joe Gomez 

Residence: Homestead South 

Age: 33 

I like the feeling of winter and the holidays with family around, the lights and everything feeling a little bit more relaxed. 

Councilmember Eric Goettl

This special season is all about enjoying the light of our savior Jesus Christ.  We enjoy looking at the lights, attending the many local concerts and recitals, spending time with family and finding ways to serve our community.

Councilmember Amber Liermann 

I love the tree lighting at Copper Sky. They make me think about family memories, our community celebrating the holiday and the wonder of Christmas. 

Councilmember Vincent Manfredi 

It might sound a little corny, but there’s nothing quite like Christmas morning with my family. Watching the girls and our dog Oreo under the glow of the tree while Tina and I snap photos is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Those moments capture everything that matters most. 

Mayor Nancy Smith 

My favorite tradition for any holiday, especially those where the city is holding an event such as Merry Copa, is to share my wonderful community with my family, especially my grandchildren. 

Vice Mayor Henry Wade 

It’s pretty simple: I just enjoy spending time with my family. We all gather at my sister’s house on Christmas Eve. All the family comes together; we play games and drink eggnog. 

Councilmember Bob Marsh 

My wife and I have a holiday tradition looking back over our years together, traveling around the world. On each trip, on each adventure, we collect an ornament or something we can turn into an ornament, and we hang them on a 5-foot-tall metal holiday tree we bought at the gift shop at Snoqualmie Falls, Wash. Some people reminisce over photos, and we do, too. But we also have ornaments that mean so much to the two of us. 

Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr 

One of my favorite holiday traditions in Maricopa is gathering with my two daughters, my friend and her daughter for a day of baking festive treats. Once our kitchen is filled with the smell of cookies and laughter, we deliver them to our local friends, family, coaches and teachers. We love spreading cheer the old-fashioned way — singing Christmas carols as we go and celebrating the warmth of our wonderful community.