Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper, usually, but bags are SO much easier! I do not like wrapping gifts…too much pressure to have a cute package, and I have other things to spend my time on – is that scroogish?? Actually, it’s not the paper I have a problem with – it’s the ribbon!

2. Real tree or artificial?

Artificial now. I grew up with a real tree, and I LOVED going shopping for it with my mom (Dad hated it because we dragged him ALL over town looking for The Perfect Tree), but 3 years ago, Mom and I caved in and we both bought fake trees. I made a list of the pros and cons (yes, that’s the anal part of me coming out), and the only thing on the pro side was the smell of the tree – I hate the needles falling on the floor, I hate the cost of a real tree every year, I hate the critters that come out of the tree, and I hate having to dispose of the tree at the end of the season. So, I buy pine scented candles to burn while I put up my 9-foot fake tree with the lights already attached. Wonderful!

3. When do you put up the tree?

As soon as possible after Thanksgiving – either Friday or Saturday (Saturday this year)

4. When do you take the tree down?

As late as possible…usually at the end of January. The reason is two-fold – I hate to see the Christmas season end and my house go back to everyday, and it’s such a pain to pack everything back up.

5. Do you like eggnog?

NO WAY!! Not even a little bit!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My dad refurbished a Schwinn bike for me one year. He stayed up all night finishing it. It was a white bike with a banana seat with flowers on it, and those big handlebars. It was my first 2 wheel bike, and I loved it!

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes! And it’s one of my favorite things. I got it for Christmas from my mom last year. It’s a Willow Tree set, and it’s gorgeous (check out the picture)! I also have a smaller wood set that we got as a wedding gift from some of our favorite Texas people. AND, I have several nativity scene tree ornaments…after all, The Nativity is what Christmas is all about!

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Mom, Dad, hubby, sister, brother, in-laws…

9. Easiest person to buy for?

NO ONE is easy! The smaller stocking stuffers for my husband are pretty easy.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Email?? What’s up with that? Actually, we send a letter and a picture, I guess that could go into an email, but we always mail them…and I need to get started. Hubby always writes the letter and people look forward to it every year…maybe that sounds weird, but he has a way of writing a short funny letter about our year that people love!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I can’t really think of one for me, but my Aunt got a horrendous gift about 17 years ago…her hubby (my uncle) got her what he thought was the rain coat she wanted…what it really was was a TENT of a rain slicker in this ugly green/brown color. She burst into tears while the rest of us rolled on the floor laughing! I will NEVER forget that Christmas.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" and "White Christmas"

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

As soon as I start to see things I think would be good for Christmas. This year I bought my first Christmas gift in August. We used to open Christmas gifts with B’s family on Thanksgiving since we never saw them on Christmas, so I had to be ready by then.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Oh yeah…why let it go to waste?? =)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Homemade English Toffee!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear lights. I used to be dead set against colored lights, but as I get older, I could probably be convinced to try colored – except that our lights are already on the tree and they’re clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

“Mary’s Boy Child” (check out the lyrics) and “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Santa Baby”

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Christmas Day we’ll go to the in-laws about 20 minutes away, then pick up my parents from the airport that afternoon. My bro and his preggers wife are coming down from WI, but I’m not sure when.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Actually, we have nothing right now…I need to find one, and I’m leaning towards star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas morning…but not because of Santa – I never believed in Santa…Mom and Dad worked hard to give us the gifts they did, and we’ll teach our kids the same thing.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Long lines and crowds

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

Red and gold tones…sentimental family ornaments are the best!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

We stopped the traditional Christmas dinner thing several years ago. We usually have a nice brunch, and then snack all afternoon while we play games and check out our gifts. I love it! We probably won’t do that at my in-laws, and I’m disappointed about that…we’ll probably have the turkey thing going on.

25. Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas?

Absolutely! That’s what Christmas is all about…celebrating the birth of our Savior!