One gift stands out to Jackson

PHOENIX -- Christmas came a little early for Conor Jackson this year as D-backs manager Bob Melvin announced that Jackson would be his starting left fielder heading into Spring Training.

Jackson, who mainly played first base in his first few years in Arizona, is more comfortable in left -- though he maintains that he is confident at both positions -- and played well there when Eric Byrnes missed most of the year with hamstring problems.

Jackson recently took time out of his offseason workout schedule to chat with MLB.com about the holidays.

• ARI: Conor Jackson • ATL: Blaine Boyer • BAL: Jeremy Guthrie • BOS: M. Delcarmen • CHC: Kevin Gregg • CWS: John Danks • CIN: Jay Bruce • CLE: Ryan Garko • COL: Clint Barmes • DET: Nate Robertson • FLA: Josh Johnson • HOU: Chris Sampson • KC: Trey Hillman • LAA: Ron Roenicke • LAD: Andre Ethier • MIL: Seth McClung • MIN: Joe Nathan • NYM: Mike Pelfrey • NYY: Brian Bruney • OAK: J. Duchscherer • PHI: Jimmy Rollins • PIT: Frank Coonelly • SD: Chase Headley • SF: Sergio Romo • SEA: Don Wakamatsu • STL: John Roney • TB: Grant Balfour • TEX: Ian Kinsler • TOR: Rod Barajas • WAS: Steven Shell

MLB.com: What is Christmas morning like in the Jackson household?

Jackson: We've got a fire going in the fireplace. We check on the cookies and milk that we left out for Santa Claus, which are always eaten and half drank. Go figure. We'll have a nice breakfast or brunch. It's more about getting to spend time hanging out with each other because we are all spread out during the year. It's nice to be in one place.

MLB.com: So you'll be at your parents' house?

Jackson: Yeah, we'll be in L.A.

MLB.com: Can you remember a Christmas or two that stand out as maybe your favorite?

Jackson: I really liked when we would go back to my grandparents' in Louisiana, and we stayed out on a farm kind of in the middle of nowhere. The more rugged Christmases are a little more fun because you're kind of out of the city life and you're more out in the open. It doesn't really remind you of anything but family and spending time with them.

MLB.com: Do you guys open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Jackson: We open one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Day.

MLB.com: What was the best Christmas gift you ever got?

Jackson: A glove. A baseball glove. I was probably about 6 years old. It was a big monstrosity of a glove. I think my parents wanted me to have it for a very long time.

MLB.com: As we talk here on Dec. 14, do you have all your Christmas shopping done?

Jackson: I do not.

MLB.com: So it's safe to say you're a late shopper when it comes to Christmas?

Jackson: (Laughs) I am probably the most last-minute guy you will ever meet. I could go shopping right now, but I won't. It's Sunday and I have nothing to do today, but I won't go shopping. I pride myself on my last-minute shopping. Yeah, that's what it is.

MLB.com: But you have a plan as to what you're going to get everyone?

Jackson: Um, maybe (laughs). I mean, yeah, I have an idea of what would be good.

MLB.com: What is New Year's Eve typically like for you?

Jackson: New Year's I just kind of spend with friends. I used to go out to the big parties, but now I'm kind of over that. My ideal New Year's would be five or 10 people. Usually, it's a smaller group of people that I really enjoy hanging out with, and I think that's the best way to ring in the New Year.

MLB.com: Any big New Year's resolution for 2009?

Jackson: I'm not that guy. I'm not a big New Year's resolution guy.