DWS Holiday Survey

DURHAM, N.C.— Duke standouts Mary Love Taylor, Morgan Reid and Casey Martinez reflected on what they were most looking forward to this Christmas holiday, family traditions and much more. Happy Holidays from the Blue Devil family to yours.

GoDuke: What are you most excited for this holiday season?
Mary Love Taylor: I'm excited to spend time with my family and for all the delicious holiday food my mom makes
Casey Martinez: I most excited for going home and spending time with family and friends.
Morgan Reid: Sleeping in and cooking with my mom and sister!

GD: What are some of your family's holiday traditions?
MLT: Decorating the tree together, going to church as a family on Christmas Eve, baking desserts with my mom, listening to Christmas music over our house's sound system for almost the whole month of December, eating a special breakfast after opening presents on Christmas morning
CM: One of our biggest traditions is making delicious Christmas cookies together. My brothers, cousins and I have been decorating these cookies since we were little. They are shaped like Santa's head and decorated with coconut for his beard, raisins for eyes, red food coloring for his mouth and red sprinkles or white icing on parts of his hat.
MR: We make a ginger bread village.

GD: Does your family decorate to get in the holiday spirit?
MLT: We decorate a tree, hang up all the Christmas cards we receive, put a wreath on our door, and put candle lights in all the front windows of our house
CM: We decorate the inside of our house and the Christmas tree festively. There are many years' worth of memories in our ornaments box, which is why decorating our tree is the best part.
MR: Yes! Lots of lights inside and outside

GD: What sort of food does your family enjoy over the holidays?
MLT:   Turkey, ham biscuits, chocolate chess pie, breakfast casserole & Moravian sugar cake (on Christmas morning)
CM: My family has a big sweet tooth, so any desserts are always welcome in the Martinez household. Other than that, my dad's mother is full-blooded Italian, so every Christmas Eve my family gets together and has a big Italian dinner.
MR: Honey baked ham, sugar cookies, and my moms homemade corn chowder!

GD: What is your favorite gift that you received as a child?
MLT:   A swing set and tree house, my family was moving after the holidays and Santa left a note saying we should go check out the backyard of our new house and there was a brand new swing set and tree house with a slide in the backyard
CM: I remember that one of my favorite gifts as a child was a hamster that I got when I was in elementary school. Because of its cage, it was the biggest present under the tree that year and I was so excited to see that it was my very own pet!
MR: New soccer cleats

GD: Do you listen to holiday music at all?
MLT:   Of course! I love all the old classics
CM: I love holiday music!! Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby are a must.
MR: Yes I like the instrumental versions

GD: What is your favorite holiday movie?
MLT: I have two favorite holiday movies... A Christmas Story & Elf
CM: I don't think I can choose just one holiday movie! Some of my favorites are White Christmas; It's a Wonderful Life and Elf.
MR: Elf

Players Mentioned

Casey Martinez

Morgan Reid

Mary Love Taylor

Duke information