Kate Linder, better known as Esther Valentine, the outspoken maid on The Young and the Restless tells us about her favourite holiday memory, and what she's willing to give up in the New Year.

How will you be celebrating this year?

This year will be a special year since we are fortunate enough to have both sets of parents, in their 80s & 90s enabling us to celebrate the holidays as family.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

 My favorite holiday tradition is participating, as I have for several years in, The Hollywood Christmas Parade.  It also brings me back every year to my memories of working with the late Johnny Grant (Honorary Mayor of Hollywood).  My husband and I also volunteer each year at the Los Angeles Mission for Thanksgiving, the holidays and Easter.  It may not sound like it but it's actually joyful as giving back usually is!

What is your best holiday memory?

Growing up - I would always spend Christmas with my girlfriend Chris.  There would always be as many presents for me as there were for her under the tree.
 
Favorite holiday song?

"Walking In A Winter Wonderland," I remember dancing to this song when I was 6 years old.

Favorite festive food?

My Mexican fiesta dip.  Everyone always requests that I bring it to the parties.

Favorite holiday movie?

The Jimmy Stewart film, It's A Wonderful Life.  I love this movie because it puts things into perspective.  It shows that we need to be grateful for what we have and for others in our lives.

How will you be celebrating New Year's?

We may be in New York with friends celebrating the New Year.

What was your highlight from 2010?

 My father's recovery from a serious medical problem.

What will your New Year resolution be?

 It's the same every year, Never Give Up!

What was the best New Year's party you have ever been to?

 On The Millennium Cruise on The Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of The Seas with my entire family in 2000.  The fireworks were the best I've ever seen and since it was over the San Francisco Bay, right near where my husband and I met when I was a college student and he was a professor (not my professor!), it was romantic as well.

If you had to give up one thing in 2011 what would it be?
 
Complaining!  Yes, most of us complain but we sometimes forget how fortunate we are to have a job or a home, a loving relationship or good health.   We need to focus on what we already have instead of what we don't!