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The Hilliards' Happy Holidays

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 21, 2008

TAMPA - 'Tis the season for credit card debt, bad presents from your Secret Santa at work and avoiding all three "The Santa Clause" movies.

Outside of waiting for Christmas candy to be marked half off, there are plenty of good things about the upcoming holiday, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Ike Hilliard agrees. I spoke with Hilliard, who began catching balls in the NFL long before Miley Cyrus sang "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," about the pleasantries of Dec. 25 for this week's column.

Anwar: What's your favorite Christmas memory?

Ike: The Green Machine toy cycle. Not even close. When I was young, the Green Machine was it.

Anwar: Did you ever leave Santa cookies when you were younger?

Ike: Nah, we ate all of that.

Anwar: Did you even make it for him?

Ike: No, we had a sweet tooth around the house. They were made, but by the end of the night, they were done.

Anwar: Did you still get presents?

Ike: Of course. Santa understood.

Anwar: Can you still name all of the reindeer?

Ike: No, and I won't even attempt it. No.

Anwar: Which outfit would you like Michael Clayton to wear - Santa, elf or reindeer?

Ike: Oh, he's bad Santa. That's my good friend. He's bad Santa for sure.

Anwar: What's your favorite Christmas movie or TV show?

Ike: I'm a Charlie Brown guy. I love "A Charlie Brown Christmas." That's me. I'm consistent every year.

Anwar: What do your children want for Christmas?

Ike: What don't they want? My oldest wants a laptop. I have a 9-month-old, so she will be happy with whatever. The 2-year-old, you really can't miss with her. She likes everything, but there isn't something that she really wants. She's really flexible. It's been a Disney Christmas for her, so I'm thinking about sneaking out to Disney one more time. She's into princesses, whether it's Ariel, or Belle or Sleeping Beauty. Anything princess-related, she'll be fine.

Anwar: What is your favorite Christmas song?

Ike: "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," especially since my 2-year-old loves it.

Anwar: If you could give the media a gift, what would it be?

Ike: I don't have a problem with the media. I don't want to say I'd give all of you guys a bag of coal.

Anwar: But you're not going to give us a diamond, either.

Ike: You guys have been good to me. I might have to just slide an envelope under everybody's door.

Anwar: I won't be holding out for that one. Are you an egg nog or cider guy around the holidays?

Ike: Spiked egg nog, and you can interpret spike however you want.

Anwar: Which entertainer might make the best-looking Mrs. Claus?

Ike: My wife. Not even close. That's Momma Claus.

Anwar: Does it ever get old working on Christmas Day?

Ike: I think everybody has kind of adjusted now. We're trying to do the right thing by family since we've gotten married a little over seven years ago. We know that I'm going to work, so we do the best we can after I get off. It's still a special time no matter what it is, whether it's spending the whole 24 hours, Christmas Eve or the day after. We try to enjoy each other as much as we can.

Anwar: Will making the playoffs be the biggest gift you can give Bucs fans this year?

Ike: Absolutely. We've done everything in our power to make it as hard as possible. The least we can do for ourselves and our fans is find a way to get in, because you do have a good football team. A lot of people are doubting us right now, but we have a lot of character. We've shown that all year. We intend on getting in, and we'll see what happens from there.

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