Holiday Q&A with Tara Giancaspro
Tara Giancaspro has been a friend of ours for over 3 years now! She's been a guest on 5 of our episodes dating back to 2022, including our Muppet Christmas Carol episode last year. To read more from her, you can check out XOXO Gossip Giancaspro!
Tara been published in Bullshit Lit, Wig-Wag Mag, Querencia, Meow Meow Pow Pow Lit, Livina Press, Poets Row, and got bit by a dolphin once, establishing a potentially generational blood feud. She can be found online at @SweatyLamarr.
SYL: End the debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Show your work.
TG: Yes. 1980’s Bruce Willis in a tank top is a gift to us all. Gifts = Christmas. Next question!
SYL: What’s your favorite Christmas/Holiday song? Is there a specific artist rendition that is your go-to? (e.g. Frank Sinatra’s “Jingle Bells”, Mariah’s “All I want for Christmas (is You)”)
TG: “Things We Don’t Need Anymore” by Jenny Owen Youngs for the sad days, “Lube for the Sleigh” by Matt Rogers for the shiggles. I have a playlist here (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/xoxo-seasonal-giancaspro/pl.u-BNA6vkNCYzXqGJ) for your enjoyment. “Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen is a Christmas song and I will die on that snow-covered hill. “The Chipmunk Song” makes me cry. I also controversially love “Wonderful Christmastime.”
SYL: The song that you chose in the previous question, has this always been your favorite or has it changed over time?
TG: I grew up as a kid listening to the Rosie O’Donnell Christmas album a LOT. I came of age as Mariah’s Christmas anthem emerged. I was raised into good Christmas music! As my tastes have become alternative over the years I’ve found Sufjan Stevens, Death Cab for Cutie, and Murder by Death’s Christmas covers in my heart and playlists. The classiques still bang. No one is too cool for Perry Como.
SYL: Do you have any traditions for the holiday season? Are there any Christmas movies or TV specials that you watch every year?
TG: My ex-husband and I used to watch Pottersville each Christmas morning and BY EVERY MEANS POSSIBLE I recommend you do this - do not google anything about the movie, just watch. In horror. With or without my ex-husband.
SYL: Have you ever been caroling?
TG: As a Girl Scout as a child, yes. Not as an adult. I’d love to carol out “Happy Holidays, You Bastard” and hit a gorgeous little three-part harmony on “ejaculate into a sock.”
SYL: What’s a better gift exchange premise? White Elephant or Secret Santa?
TG: Secret Santa. FUCK White Elephant and the…elephant it rode in on. Secret Santa allows you to be thoughtful. White Elephant empowers kleptomaniacs and Verucas Salt alike. Capitalist-ass game. Rugged individualism ass game.
SYL: Do you have a favorite Holiday seasonal food / drink? (peppermint bark, egg nog, etc)
TG: Fettuccine Alfredo because I am Italian and this is what we do. Also, my Aunt Rina’s green Christmas tree butter cookies.
SYL: What are your plans for New Year’s Eve this year?
TG: Likely hanging out with my hoodrat high school friends at Chris and Ali’s house. Which rules.
SYL: What is your ideal way to spend New Year’s Eve?
TG: Honestly…hanging out with my hoodrat high school friends at Chris and Ali’s house. Which rules.
But Robyn is doing a New Year’s Eve concert this year and so uh…
SYL: What is one thing that you’re forward to in 2026?
