A Christmas Meme!

Karen did it to me again.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Almost all wrapping paper. Occasionally there may be a gift bag if the gift is just one of those crazy to wrap things.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
We've always done real before but this year we have an artificial tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Typically the first week of December, but I actually plan on putting ours up today (that's almost December) so it'll be up when the kids get home.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Shockingly late. Typically long after most other people do. I have a lot of heart shaped ornaments so it really can pass for a Valentine's tree as well. :)

5. Do you like eggnog?
Oh YES. We mix it with half milk to cut the thickness over here, but I've been known to abandon myself in a glass of pure nog.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A stuffed Smurfette doll. I hadn't told anyone except for Santa that I wanted one so it really sealed the "Santa is real" thing for me to see it positioned there on the pink floral banana seat of a pink Huffy bike.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
The Man. Everything he wants is either insanely expensive or I have no idea what it really is.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Goober, by far. He wants everything.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No, but we do have a motion activated singing Christmas tree that freaks Goober out.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I'm going to try to mail some this year... I actually never send any because I'm horribly disorganized. But I'm working on that.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
One time my mom bought me some super conservative outfit from Talbots that just completely wasn't my taste. She also bought it a size too big, which made me sure she thought I was fatter than I was. I was probably fourteen or something and Talbots just wasn't my bag, baby. Love you, Mom.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
A Christmas Story usually wins it for me... but last year we watched Shrek the Halls a trillion times and I loved it. It has found a solid holiday place in my heart.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I'm usually starting a little before Thanksgiving and I've actually finished before Thanksgiving before. However, typically I'm still scrambling to get last minute gifts a few days before the date.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I can think of.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Peppermint Stick Ice Cream

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes? Who doesn't put lights on their tree? Isn't that the point? I like them colorful and NOT BLINKING. However, our new artificial tree is all white lights. I'll live.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I'll Be Home For Christmas and Hard Candy Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
This year we're traveling to Orlando to spend Christmas Eve at my sisters, but then we'll be home for Christmas Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Absolutely!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
an angel... but I sort of want a pretty lit star...

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Both. It's typically a two day present extravaganza.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Every radio station around December 21st. There's only so much Christmas music I can handle.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?
One year after Valentine's Day I found a display at some store of these little heart shaped ornaments. They may not have been marketed as Christmas ornaments but they go on our tree every year and I love them. They're red and pink and silver and puffy and they unleash the twelve year old girl in me.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Every Christmas Eve we have a roast with Bearnaise sauce and these mashed potatoes that you would die for and asparagus. Yum. At The Man's aunts house the traditional fare is all there but I'm hooked on the sausage bread and the pumkin rolls.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I truly just want to spend a happy and peaceful time with my family... no drama, no tension. Last year my mom had brain surgery on Christmas Eve so it was all a very tough day for us - but very eye opening as to what's really important. This year I just want to see smiles on everyone face.