12 Questions of Christmas Meme

I found this on Cindy's blog...

1. Christmas is Jesus. [fill in the blank with ONE WORD]

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past?
Having the whole family together. When I was little, we always got together with Mama's family on Christmas Eve and Daddy's family on Christmas Day. Now Christmas Eve is spent with Billy's family and Christmas Day is spent with mine.

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what]
Of course! Some favorites from my pre-teen and teen years: a bike, a Merlin, an Atari, and a Pac-Man phone.

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both?
Both. See question 2.

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe]
Well, not each and every year, but most years.

Recipes: sugar cookies and cheese straws. I've forgotten the cheese straws a few times and have been warned that I may be disowned if I do it again... ;o)

Crafts: I usually make some sort of Christmas ornament to give to my family and friends: crocheted snowflakes, satin balls covered with sequins and beads in some sort of holiday design, crystal Christmas spiders. I'm working on this year's right now, so I can't say what it is.

6. What are your favorite five [5] Christmas songs/hymns?


#1 - Christmas Canon by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I like the rock version, but I prefer this one with the children singing.)
#2 - Carol of the Bells
#3 - White Christmas
#4 - O Holy Night
#5 - Silver Bells

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days?
Not really.

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country]
Our Christmas trips are pretty much the same every year. We head out to spend Christmas Eve at Billy's parents' house. The whole family gets together for an afternoon and evening of snacking on appetizers and desserts, playing games, and catching up with those we haven't seen in a while. Someone reads the Christmas story from the Bible, then we hand out the presents to all the kids. Santa has made an appearance the last two years and that's really been a big hit! Later that night, after everyone has gone home, we let the boys open their presents and play a while. After they go to bed, the grownups open a few gifts.

On Christmas morning, the boys play with the toys Santa brings. Then we eat breakfast, pack up, and head out for my parents' house. (Or my aunt's house, depending on whose turn it is to host.) We visit and eat lunch and visit some more. Then the kids open their presents and play for a while before everyone heads home. We exchange gifts with my parents and sisters and spend the evening playing games or watching a movie.

The next day we usually sleep in and take it easy with whatever we want to do. The boys always spend the day playing with all their new stuff. The next morning, we load up and head home.

The next few days after that are spent unloading, washing clothes, and finding places for all the new toys.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day?
I usually try to wear something in red or green. I don't dress up - I want to be as comfortable as possible.

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap?
I did when I was little; I have a picture in a box somewhere... That was always the thing - to have at least one picture of each of your children sitting in Santa's lap.

Caleb liked Santa the first time, but not so much the year after that.

Jacob was intrigued with Santa the first time he sat in his lap. We had sponsored a Christmas open house for the residents of our apartment complex where we served as a CARES Team. One older couple who lived there were actors and had been to a morning production of a drama. When they got back home, they were still dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They stopped by the apartment clubhouse to see if the event was still going on. Not many residents had shown up that day, so we were wrapping things up a bit early, but Billy and I were still there with the boys. They sat on the couch together and had us sit the boys in their laps for our own (free!) pictures.

These days, if we happen to be in the mall during the day on a weekday and there's no line, the boys will sit in Santa's lap, but we don't get any pictures. I'm not big on waiting in long lines or paying the exhorbitant fees for having a snapshot taken. Have you see what they charge for that?!?

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year?
We'll put up our artificial (allergies) pre-lit (headaches) tree this week sometime, but we'll wait to decorate it after the boys get back from their visit with Mamaw and Papaw.

We have a lot of collectible ornaments that we've gotten over the years from students (when I was a middle-school teacher), from friends, from co-workers, and from family. Some I'm collecting for the boys for when they're grown. Some ornaments are ones that Billy and I had when we were children. Many are ones that I've made myself. When all the ornaments are on, we'll hang a dozen candy canes on the branches.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas?
Long ago, Billy used to put lights on the house and I had some painted wooden lollipops and gingerbread men that I'd stick in the yard. We don't put any out now. I don't have the space to store outdoor decorations, and Billy doesn't have the time, patience, or desire to put them out.

What are your answers to "The 12 Questions of Christmas"?