Getting to Know You, Christmas Style

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags. I think gift bags are a cop out, they're no fun to open. Everyone loves to tear paper. I have this problem though, I have a lifetime supply of gift bags from the wedding... everyone gets wedding themed bags this year and every year until I run out :)
   
   
2. Real tree or artificial. I have a little artificial one. I've never had the space for a big one and I've actually never had a real one, I've seen that video of the real one going up in flames though, they're dangerous!
   
   
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually on December 1st but we've been so busy this year it has yet to go up. We're working on it, maybe tonight (but realistically probably not)
   
   
4. When do you take the tree down? When I get around to it, usually far later than it should be up.
   
   
5. Do you like eggnog? Ew, yuck, definitly not!
   
   
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't know if this counts cause I think I was 21 but my parents gave me a Kitchen Aid mixer, best gift ever. We have a tradition that gifts from Santa aren't wrapped so I could see it sitting there but I knew Mom had gotten one for Dad so I didn't ever look at it. They had to point out that it had my name on it and I wouldn't believe them for a minute or two. I really love that mixer. My parents have always been really good at giving me this great gift that's exactly what I want but I didn't ever expect to get.
   
   
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. It's tiny and cheap and from the dollar store and I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new one some year.
   
   
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad. He has no hobbies and doesn't like to read and has everything he needs... the result is he gets one of three presents, a tie, pajama pants or cologne. What will it be this year? Wait and see.
   
   
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Mom. I can buy her clothes or yummy lotion or something cute for her house or some Christmas music, the list goes on and on, she's usually the first person I buy for.
   
   
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably the Ugly Claus series. My brother and I used to give each other tacky gifts. The person who got the tackiest one had to display it. I always lost though and the tradition died the year he gave me something so ugly I never took it home but hid it under the guest bed instead. Some traditions are meant to end though I'll always treasure the memory of the cheap, pink, plastic flamingo light.
    
    
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? I've actually never sent out Christmas cards before. I really want to and last I decided this was the year to do it but then I felt guilty sending out Christmas cards before all the Thank you cards from my wedding went out so maybe next year.
    
    
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I really like White Christmas and a Christmas Story though there's no way Brad will watch that one with me. I talked him into it last year cause he'd never seen it and he was a little horrified at the stupidity of it, he just didn't get it, it's a classic!
    
    
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm always sad I'm not one of those super prepared people who has it done by October. I don't know when I start but lets just say I'm still not done. Getting close though.
    
    
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember. This year I'm giving my sister a blender we got for our wedding but I'm not sure that really counts. I asked her if she wants it and we got her a different gift. I did wrap the blender but only because it'd be fun to have more presents under the tree. It certainly won't be a surprise.
    
    
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pecan Pie. Lots and lots of pie. I love all the vegetables though too. I used to love the stuffing but 2 Thanksgivings ago we had this huge Thanksgiving dinner and later that night I was sick like I haven't been sick in years. Sutffing is a little ruined for me but I'm hoping not forever, one day I'll love it again.
    
    
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Definietly clear, I'm not a fan of the coloured ones, especially if they blink.
    
    
17. Favorite Christmas song? I really love O Come All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night, but as per my previous posts regarding Christmas Music it's pretty hard to choose a favorite out of 349 songs. I like them all. I also really like Christmas in Killarny because we listed to it a lot while I was growing up.
    
    
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Since I've been single and living away from home Christmas always includes travel. Normally I drive to Magrath but one year I flew to London and this year we're driving to Spanish Fork, Utah to my sister's house. Should be fun. I do look forward to the time I have a family of my own that's established enough to stay home cause that sounds nice to me.
    
    
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Let's see... On Comet on Cupid on Donnor and Blitzen. Now... I don't remember how it goes after that but there's Vixen and Dasher and Dancer and of course Rudolph but that's about all I've got. That's not bad, I missed Prancer, I can deal with 8 out of 9.
    
    
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Defintely Christmas Day.
    
    
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I"m having a difficult time this year with how busy our schedule is. It's all good things but there's just too many of them, we're having to miss out on stuff we want to do because we just can't fit it in.
    
    
22. What I love most about Christmas? I love Christmas Carols. There's such a feeling about them, they make you peaceful and happy and ready to be super nice to everyone.
    

So there you have it, Getting to Know You, Christmas Style. Feel free to add your own answer in the comments :)
L