Getting to Know Me...Christmas Edition

My friend Kesa sent me this in an e-mail today. Free Blog Fodder! I love it!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. Gift bags are no fun. There's no paper to rip with gift bags!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Real ones scare me. The tree we got at our Christmas shower right before our January 1996 wedding saw its last Christmas in 2007. The hubby wanted to buy one after Christmas, but we never did. Now we're looking for a 7.5' pre-lit tree that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's unbelieveable what people want for fake trees! Guess we'll be waiting until the 26th to buy a new tree. In the interim we have an unlit one that we got from my parents... it'll do!

3. When do you put up the tree? Well, they're up right now, but they won't be decorated until next week. The kids get excited and want the decorations up lickity split, but I'm a slow decorator. It's still too early to get everything out.

4. When do you take the tree down? December 25th or 26th. Last year it was the night of the 25th.

5. Do you like eggnog? Blech. No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Big Wheel and the Playdoh barber shop set.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom and my sister.

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids, because they want whatever comes on TV.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a wooden one that's kid-friendly, but it didn't get put away with the decorations last year. I've been finding pieces of it around the house all year long. Who knows if we'll have a complete nativity... it might just be Mary and a couple of sheep.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Last year. A sheer red and white cape like shirt with sequins on it. It's in the playroom right now. The girls use it as a skirt when they play dress up.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! The cat food in the Jello is classic.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? We did the kids' shopping last month. I got a bunch of stuff today and have placed about 10 orders online in the past 2-3 days. I'm almost done! Only teacher gifts remain, and they're going to be edible, so I'll have to wait to make those.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No comment.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Hmm.... fudge? My mom used to make fudge and divinity every year. I haven't had divinity in a long time. Maybe I'll make some this year.

16. Lights on the tree? Lots of them! And they have to be white. The kids prefer colors, but I love the clear bulbs.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas by Elvis

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at Home!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen (I had to sing the song...)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have 3 trees and I know an angel goes on the big one. I think there is a star on the kids' homemade ornament tree and a big ribbon on the Hallmark tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, but we do a special Christmas Eve gift (it's always their Christmas jammies, but it's a tradition my mom started when I was a kid and one I want my kids to continue...)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? When retailers start putting Christmas stuff out way too early and the radio stations start playing Christmas music 24/7 before Thanksgiving (like 2 of the stations are now!) I love Christmas, but I want to have Thanksgiving before I start working on Christmas.

23. What theme or color are you using? I don't really have a color theme.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have Taco Soup for Christmas Eve and just have snacks and appetizers on Christmas Day. That usually includes some sausage balls, which my mom usually makes. Yum!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? tickets to see the Eagles on January 19th, but unless I win them myself, I won't be getting them. A pair of mid-range seats costs $700. Eek!