Christmas Questionnaire

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer to wrap gifts, for sure! My Aunt Judy is the most creative and gifted wrapper I know. I can only aspire to be as good. Her packages are almost too pretty to open.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Well, this year we have a real ficus tree as our Christmas tree (see above). I know.. we had to be creative in our temporary apartment. It works. The past four years we have had an artificial tree which was supposed to be "pre-lit" but 1/4 of the lights never worked. :( What is a Christmas tree that isn't completely lit? I totally missed the pine aroma, so next year... we are going real! Nothing like the tradition of going to pick out your very own tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually, right after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually, right after Christmas.. like the 27th or 28th. By then, I am done with the tree.

5. Do you like egg nog? Never tried it... sounds icky... and eggy. I like eggs in the solid form but eggs in the liquid form seem barfalicious.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmm.. probably my yellow banana seat bicycle when I was 5 or 6 years old. Sans training wheels. My grandmother must have been mad at me that day because we set out to practice riding my new bicycle and she sent me sailing down our steeply inclined street. I had a crash landing at the bottom and it scratched up my new spiffy banana seat bike and my knees and elbows. I survived though... And learned a good lesson about riding down steep hills without knowing how to use a braking system. I think this qualifies as favorite AND made the most impact.. literally! LOL! I crack myself up.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Sadly, no.

8. Hardest person to buy for? No question about it Freddie...
9. Easiest person to buy for? Josh... can you say Super Hero or, more recently, Nintendo DS?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, all the way. I love love love receiving Christmas cards and assume everyone else does, as well!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm... I really don't think I have one.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? I love the classics - My favorite that is most nostalgic for me is Mickey's Christmas Carol and I can't find it anywhere! Next in line is the original Grinch that Stole Christmas and Rudolph. I also love A Christmas Story. I mean, not the greatest films every created but they bring back great memories of my childhood Christmases.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually about three weeks before Christmas. There is just something about the hustle and bustle that gets me into the spirit.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so..

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All of the delicious cookies and candy! Yum-o.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear. But, I have to say, I was tempted to buy the colored lights for my kiddos this year. But, the wanna be Southern Living in me couldn't bring myself to do it. Hmm.. I should have just done it.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of Bells.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We have always traveled but for the next three years we will be staying at our new home in France.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Now Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen, on Comet on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen... and, of course, Rudolph! And the only reason I know this is because of the song...

20. Angel on the tree top or star? Neither.. big bow with trailing ribbon.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas Eve (usually pjs) and the remainder Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Hmm.. the advertisements and commercialism of it all.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? This is a work in progress for me... I don't have one right now. When we get our first real tree next year I am envisioning cranberry and popcorn threaded garland made by our family while sitting by the fire. I will update the blog next year and see if this dream came to fruition.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Sweet Potatoe Souffle

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Hmm... I really haven't even thought about that.

26. Favorite Christmas tradition: Going to a midnight church service on Christmas Eve. I can't wait for the children to be old enough to go with me.

Feel free to comment with your own responses! I would love to read. :)