News Photo by Julie Riddle At the Alpena Joann Fabric store on Wednesday, Oscoda resident Diana Shafto displays fabric she plans to turn into a cozy Christmas gift.

ALPENA — As she waited for a cheerful Joann Fabric employee to cut fabric, Diana Shafto reflected on Christmases past and present.

A mother of children ages 17 to 26, Shafto was at the store picking out fabric for a blanket she’s making for her spoiled, bow-tie wearing maltipoo dog, Furgus.

The blanket is a secret, but Shafto was willing to talk to The News about her thoughts on Christmas.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

Probably doing Christmas Eve gifts and watching Christmas movies with my kids. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is one of our favorites.

IS THERE A GIFT YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT

GIVING OR GETTING THIS YEAR?

I’m excited to make some things for my grandson, who will be born in January. I’m making him a blanket. As cute as the dog’s blanket? Cuter.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS

MEMORY?

Probably just having the whole big family at my mom and dad’s house. My mom and dad have five kids. All of us siblings and all of our kids would just pack into the room on Christmas.

THIS YEAR, WE DON’T GET TO PACK IN

TOGETHER. DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE’RE STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE

CHRISTMAS?

I think Christmas is whatever you make of it. I think we can absolutely still celebrate, in whatever way possible.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHRISTMAS FOOD?

I make something my kids named Who-hash, like from “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas”. They don’t know that it’s actually not a gourmet meal. It’s basically creamed corned beef on toast.

We were really destitute one Christmas. I was like, we have, literally, nothing for dinner. I found this can of corned beef we had gotten from a church. And I’m like, I’ll make creamed corned beef. It turned into a tradition. The kids loved it. They absolutely adore it.