The Posorske Family Russ and Jen with children Ben, 13; Reagan, 11; Grace, 9; Isabella, 7; and Will, 5. And Grandpa Bill, 87.

As the senior vice president of retail for Scottsdale-based Continental Properties, Russ Posorske knows a thing or two about negotiations. One aspect the exec and wife, Jen, won’t
compromise on is time with their brood and tradition-filled holidays.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Russ: Hanging up my mom’s handmade Christmas stockings. She made [one] for everyone in our family and each stocking probably took 500 hours to make.

What are you most looking forward to this holiday season? Russ: We have an extended family and love to have everybody over. My dad is also an important part of our family; he’s 87 years old and lives with us. All year round, but especially through the holidays, having him here helps our kids understand multigenerational responsibilities and the joys, richness and texture of his stories add so much.

What is your favorite Christmas memory? Russ: Every year, the kids write letters to Santa Claus and about four years ago, Reagan wrote a letter saying she wanted her gifts to be given away to a young girl who was dying of cancer. Jen, I and Santa Claus struggled with how to honor that. Christmas morning came and all the kids were opening up their presents but Reagan had none. So I told her to check her stocking. In it was a letter from Santa explaining the true story of an elderly man who couldn’t take care of his pony. Santa realized that Reagan had a big heart and asked if she was kind enough to take care of this orphaned pony. In the meantime, Santa told Reagan her gifts were in the kitchen and asked that she take them to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and give them to this little girl. So we spent that Christmas Day at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

What is the best gift your family ever received? Jen: The best gift that we’ve ever received was being told that Russ was free of colon cancer. It has been two years, and he is so lucky. We give thanks every Christmas.

Favorite Holiday Food: Posorske pistachio pudding.
Favorite Holiday Decoration: Real Christmas trees that are always six inches too tall.
Favorite Holiday Outfit: Coordinated Christmas clothes for the kids.