A Christmas Meme

One of my Pampered Chef customers sent me this, then I found it on Cindy's blog. It looked fun, so I thought I'd do it, too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
If it's easy to wrap, I'll wrap it, but if it's got an odd shape or I don't have a box big enough or small enough, I'll use a gift bag. Those are harder to load into boxes, though, when we travel for the holidays.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial. I love the smell of a real tree, but you get more for your money with an artificial tree because they last longer than three weeks. Plus, the boys are allergic.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Always after Thanksgiving. Sometimes it's the week after; sometimes the week after that. It all depends on our schedule and if the boys are home with us or staying with grandparents for a week. They would die if we put it up without them!

4. When do you take the tree down?
We take it down a few days after Christmas - always before New Year's Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I can't stand it, but Billy loves it. So does our cat.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I really can't remember, but photos show me riding around on a inchworm and a tricycle on Christmas. When I was older, I was thrilled to get a Merlin electronic game (Daddy tricked me by putting a banana in the box because I had bragged that I knew I was getting it...). Other favorite gifts were an Atari, a bicycle, and a Pac-Man phone. (I think I got those when I was in middle school or high school.)

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Daddy!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Caleb and Jacob

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
I have a Fontanini nativity set that I keep up all year long. I "hide" baby Jesus after Easter and put him back in the manger after Thanksgiving.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I mail them, if they get sent at all. Last year we made our own cards to send, but I don't think I'll have time for that this year. I'd like to send out cards with the boys' picture on them, but I might not get around to that, either.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Although I'm sure there is a worst, I can't think of it right now. Most likely it was a white elephant gift.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
We can't get through the holiday season without watching these at least once: A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Carol (with George C. Scott), and A Charlie Brown Christmas. I also love Holiday Inn.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Ha! When I have ideas and money. Inspiration usually hits me sometime before Thanksgiving and I start making lists, but I wait to buy until the sales start. I do not go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, though. I'd rather pay the few extra bucks to skip the crowds!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I've definitely recycled white elephant gifts, but I don't think I've ever done that with a real Christmas gift.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Turkey, ham, and sweet potato casserole.

16. Lights on the tree?
I can't imagine a tree without lights! We have a pre-lit tree, and it's really nice to not have to untangle endless strands every year. What I want to know is this: Colored lights or white? I honestly can't remember what ours are right now; we've had both. I guess it'll be a surprise!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Carol of the Bells, Silver Bells, White Christmas, and Christmas Canon by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.



18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We always travel. Christmas Eve is with Billy's side of the family; Christmas Day is with mine.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, and Olive (the other reindeer)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
I think we've been using a metallic gold cloth star ornament near the top.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve with Billy's side of the family. The boys get their "Santa" presents on Christmas morning, then we open presents with my side of the family on Christmas afternoon.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Definitely the crowds at the stores and malls. I try to go during the week when everyone else is at work. That's worked nicely in the past.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I like handmade ornaments. I've made different ones the past several years: beaded and sequined balls, Christmas spiders and snowmen from clear glass beads, and crocheted snowflakes.

24. Favorite dessert for Christmas dinner?
Sweet potato pie!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Just to spend time with family.

26. Any special Christmas traditions?
None other than what I've described above.

I'd love to read your answers!