Getting to Know You: Holiday Edition

[MisaLady]

Fill out the questionnaire, replacing my answers with yours (of course!).

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like to do both, but I generally end up using wrapping paper. I particularly like using brown kraft paper and decorating it myself.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I actually prefer the real thing, but it's not usually an option for us.

3. When do you put up the tree? Some years, we don't put one up at all! But when we do, it's usually right around the end of November.

4. When do you take the tree down? See previous statement. But, when we do, it's often taken down around the beginning of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, though I usually drink the light version because the other causes me problems (I still drink regular from time to time though - I love it!). Especially good spiked.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? One year, my mother made little houses that were fabric. The lid snapped on. At the time, I only had one sister and we both got one. Each had a different "animal" inside. I wish I'd been able to keep that, but I wasn't really gentle on my toys.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom, I think

8. Easiest person to buy for? My husband, usually... at least for the holidays. That's my "splurge" gift to him and I generally know what big thing he wants.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I think we have two. We don't really put them up, for a few reasons. The first four reasons all have four paws.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I usually email them. Every year, I say "THIS IS THE YEAR I WILL MAIL HOLIDAY CARDS". And then I fail. Miserably.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Once, I received a half-used bottle of "old lady" perfume. I was maybe twelve.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever. Quite often, I do it very last minute.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Seven-layer cookie bars. Or smoked oysters. They're a little too expensive to eat regularly.

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Carol of the Bells" and "Christmas in the Northwest"... it's a tie.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home. We go to my mother's, which is just a short distance away. I wish they'd come here sometime.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? On our tree, we usually have a stuffed kitty at the top of the tree.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Pajamas on Christmas Eve (or one other gift, if not giving pajamas). The rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The large groups of idiots, usually from the suburbs, out visiting "the big city", that make being downtown - where I live - suddenly a lot less appealing. That sounds mean, I know. But they gather in large groups, meander very very slowly, and suddenly stop for no apparent reason, with no warning. Plus, the lines to grab a "quick" meal or a "quick" coffee suddenly triple. Ugh.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My favorite ornaments are the handmade ones we bought in Germany.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Green bean casserole? Stuffing? I dunno. My mother makes a ridiculously huge feast. I always go on about how she should probably make only a quarter of it, but those meals make me feel cozy and safe.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I'd like a floor easel. Or a Wii. I'd honestly prefer the easel. Or art supplies. But, honestly, there's nothing I'm really wanting for.

[Parsimonious]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. If the gift looks nice on its own, I'll just add a few ribbons & stuff (I don't give ON Christmas, though)

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Neither.

3. When do you put up the tree?
No tree.

4. When do you take the tree down?
No tree.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I've never tried any. Know it only from "The Simpsons"

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't remember anything special. As a teen, my sister gave me a postcard with a picture of my favorite TV series, framed in a simple glass frame. The cheapest AND best gift I got that year! Loved it!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My mother.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister. She's got a load of hobbies and interests, and she also enjoys a good box of chocolates.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Nope.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Nope. But I plan on sending a couple of New Years e-mails.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A briefcase. I had begged for a specific chemistry set. Told my family I didn't want anything else, from anybody, for the whole year, only that specific chemistry set. When I saw the wrapped briefcase, I was sure it was this chemistry set. It was the last gift I unwrapped. I was SO sure it was the chemistry set. Well, after unwrapping it, I excused myself and went hiding to cry myself out. Didn't want to seem ungrateful, but if you're maybe 12 and get a briefcase instead of the chemistry set of your dreams... Well, not really fun.
(I saved up for the chemistry set and bought it myself. It took me so long that I was a tad too old for the experiments in there. I still have it!)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
None.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Since I do not give gifts at a specific date, I shop all through autumn and winter, up to around January or February.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No, I don't think I have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Don't cook anything special. Baked potatoes, I guess, I like baked potatoes all year round ;D

16. Lights on the tree?
No tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I H A T E T H E M A L L . There is only one thing worse than Christmas songs. Carnival season songs. Ugh!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home, get some work done.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Not part of my cultural heritage. (One was "Blitzen", I remember that from English lessons.)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
No tree.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning?
I open some gifts on the 25th when my husband comes home from his family's Christmas party and brings a bunch of gifts for me, too.
My in-laws usually give me a big goodie bag with chocolate, nuts, candles, etc. I love it!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
I can't get anywhere on bike without being yelled at by angry motorists, or without driving into a wall of shoppers who don't care whether that's a street where they are standing. Shopping on Saturdays is a suicide mission from around November on. Can't go into any bookshop without being trampled to death. Oh yes, and Christmas songs.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color?

My favorite ornaments are the handmade ones we bought in Germany.

Yeah! You've just earned brownie points
I like simple lights, silver, glass. Clear shapes, nothing fancy. I don't decorate, but silver glass balls and glass stars would be my choice if I decorated.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Baked potatoes

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I don't expect any gifts but a goodie bag from my in-laws. I hope they'll include a large bag of nuts like in previous years!

[Lady_V]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I buy my paper end of year 10/$1. DD and I make cards using sections of paper saved from the last year. For kids, I almost always use wrapping paper (nothing like ripping open a surprise). I will almost always wrap gifts for DD & Old Man because they aren't going to 'carry' it anywhere. I will use bags for large 'grouping gifts' (ex: soap making things - molds, pans, etc all in one big bag)

2. Real tree or Artificial? I have an artificial 2.5' tree -- I personally love the smell of a tree, but I can not justify the price for something that will make me stay up all night worrying about it (my patients house burned down to the frame because of bad lights on a tree).

3. When do you put up the tree? After the Thanksgiving dishes are washed.

4. When do you take the tree down? Depends on what we have planned for New Years, but the tree comes down anywhere between Dec 28 and Jan 1.

5. Do you like eggnog? Garelic farm or Hood brand only. I can not bring myself to drink homemade.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Books (yes, really) I received an entire collection of books from my Grampa's SO.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My outlaws... what do you give people who could buy the moon?

8. Easiest person to buy for? Tie between DD and the Old Man. I know what each needs and likes.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have a beautiful one my Gramna's sister made. White porcelain gold trims... elegant... I don't put it up because it's pushing on 100 years old. I have a cat, I have an active DD. I was told by the family... if it broke, I will be spending my next Yule in a pine box!!!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? When I do send them, they are mailed.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I had to think long & hard over this one... I think the worst thing I ever got was a grab gift in the second grade...


12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Year Without a Santa Claus -- I -love- the Meister brothers!!!!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I already have stuff for NEXT Yule I usually pick up the 'staple gifts' on clearance and add all year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, for the most part, people know what I want/need. I have however re-gifted something DD got for her birthday that she had NO desire to own. (ex - a baby doll complete with accessories).

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Icebox cake. It's been a family tradition since the invention of ice The 'cake' itself is yummy, but I think it's more of a comfort food/tradition for me. My favorite meal-food to eat is eggplant parm.

16. Lights on the tree? Guilty as charged...

17. Favorite Christmas song? Dominic the Donkey [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15StrX7wtpI[/media]
Now -- for non-lyrical, hands down TSO - Christmas Eve. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iY4Tom6-wM&feature=related[/media]


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Do you want the original names or the modernized ones? Yes, I can name all of them.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? No, this year we will have a sorting hat on the top. Last year we had a blinking star, year before that was Santa I think.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Normally - 1 gift on eve, rest on the 25th... THIS year, he has to work on the 25th, so all gifts (except the Santa/Yule King) are going to be opened on the eve so he can be here when DD opens them.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The snow Other than that, life in my small town stays the same.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My ornaments were stolen a few years ago, but my favorite was a jade elephant I bought in Cambodia. This years theme is Harry Potter, so I am hand-making the ornaments... my newest 'favorite'.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Eggplant Parm.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A WonderWash, I am so sick of fighting over the machines in the common laundry! I would also like a dutch oven.

[lmbaker520]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I typically just do wrapping paper. I absolutely love wrapping Christmas presents.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? I will probably put mine up next weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Probably New Years

5. Do you like eggnog? Not so much.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A dollhouse that I played with all of the time.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad and bro-in-law

8. Easiest person to buy for? My nieces because they always need clothes and enjoy basically any toy that you give them.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I make them and mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A hair crimper when they were in back in the 80's

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually in October as I start finding things on sale

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yep...i think it was a candle

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All of the fun sweets

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Pretty much all of them. I am obsessed with Christmas Music. If I had to pick one it would probably be The Christmas Song.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? My family all lives in the same area so we stay here.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The way that some people just totally overdo the importance of having tons and tons of gifts. I think that there are more important things to be teaching our kids at this time of year.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? Pretty much anything that my Mom gave me from when I was little

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Baked Ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? There are a few books and DVD's that I want and then I need some clothes.

[freebs]

. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapped

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? after dec 6th that is dd bday

4. When do you take the tree down? usually the day after cmas

5. Do you like eggnog? no

6. Favorite gift received as a child? ????

7. Hardest person to buy for? me....lol

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ????

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?The original rudolph and how the grince stole christmas cartoon and frosty the snowman

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?dec 26th

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? lots of food(also pp i dont know if you have a dollar tree but mine carries smoked oysters for $1 a can!!!)

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

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

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? depends on which i find first putting up the tree

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? putting out the items sooooooooooo early!!!

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? anything that makes it onto my tree

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Green bean casserole? Stuffing? HAM

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? be happy getting anything!
__________________

[TheRootedNomad]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I leave mine up way too long for a real one and I'd be irrationally afraid of a fire.

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend.

4. When do you take the tree down? mid-January

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? probably the acoustic guitar I got

7. Hardest person to buy for? This changes - this year I'm struggling with my mom

8. Easiest person to buy for? My Dad and the kids.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, it's very untraditional though. A very good friend of my mom's made it for me when I was little. It is handmade ceramic with the figuers all being kids dressed up as if they were performing the nativity. The donkey has the boy lifting the side of the costume up and peeking out from underneath. Very cute.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? About once every 5 years I actually get them mailed

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Flrescent belts - 4 years after they went out of style. I'm sure there was something worse but I've blocked it. I actually get more worked up in the surprise aspect then the actual gift.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The old version of Miracle on 34th st and the Roudolph movie (can never remeber the name) that has the heat mizer and his winter brother---although Frosty alwas draws me in pretty good as well.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I see the right thing.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? cookies and honey-balls

16. Lights on the tree? Yep - more lights than I've ever seen on anyone elses. I love the lights. We use very few ornaments.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Deck the Halls

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Before the kids we would go to my parents in NY but now my parents live here AND I don't like the idea of the kids not being at thier house with thier tree. Not sure why I'm so opposed, and we did travel twice for Cristmas when they were little, it just doesn't feel right to me for the kids to be somewhere other than home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? "Pajamas on Christmas Eve (or one other gift, if not giving pajamas). The rest on Christmas morning." --- yeah, that. My mom gives all the grandkids thier Christmas pjs.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? "The large groups of idiots," ...with bad tempers, in a hurry, in the parking lots and stores.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? I splurged a few years back and ordered some of the Thomas Kincaid old time Santa figures. I really like them. I think my absolute favorites are a couple of the ones that the boys made. After that the Santa's. Generally we do red and white.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I don't have a favorite. It just needs to be homemade and full of choices. We do have a basic traditional menu but it morphs a little depending on what we feel like.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Hum....gift cards for bookstores, nightgowns, pressure canner, money towards the kitchen re-do, chocolate....Any of these would be nice but I am also very content. As long as DH has a "well thought out surprise for me" under the tree what it is or if there is anything else doesn't matter. One of the things I would LOVE to see is a card promising a "date", planned by him , with my intrests taken into account. Even better would be a card for one date like that a month.

[FrugalMomof3]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift Bags for sure!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial.

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

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually right after xmas

5. Do you like eggnog? Nope

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Gosh, can't remember.... ummm probably a doll or some soft

7. Hardest person to buy for? No-one really

8. Easiest person to buy for? My husband

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I would love one!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Email is easiest

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Those pre-made cakes, can't remember the name of them

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually in the spring/summer

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mock Apple Pie

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Santa Clause is Coming to Town"

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home. I do go to my mom's but she's only 10 min. away, this year since we're moving she will be 30 min. away so Christmas might be at my new house

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I think so???

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Well for the past few years we've opened them on Christmas Eve, this year since it's only my DD home, we will do it on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Honestly, my step-daughters who like to receive but dont give anything to me, their step sister or their step-brothers.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? Handmade ornaments from when the kids were little

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Green bean casserole? Stuffing? Mashed potatoes and corn

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Anything

[emily_hope]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I use both and I really like to get creative and use just about anything to wrap with.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial and prelit!

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

4. When do you take the tree down? Well... usually right after New Year's... but once it got left up until February LOL!

5. Do you like eggnog? Oh yea! I've already bought some this year.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Um, my Dawn dolls (anyone remember them) and a stage set I got so they could model.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My DH.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My DMother.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No... wish i did.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I mail mine.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I really don't recall one that was all that bad.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I like to do it throughout the year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Wow.... I like everything... especially the sweets.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes... white ones that twinkle...and mine's prelit.

17. Favorite Christmas song? So many.... O Holy Night always brings goosebumps.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We stay home, but we go to my DMother's and she lives right next door.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Oh yes... You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Come and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen.... But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have angels all around the top of the tree.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? We do both. We usually open gifts at my DMother's on Christmas Eve and ours at home on Christmas Day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Too many people at the malls shopping... and so many are rude.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My favorite ornaments are the ones my DGrandmother made for me from plastic canvas.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Green bean casserole? Stuffing? I pretty much like all the food we serve for Christmas dinner... especially the desserts.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I'd like to have a Wii, but there's not too much that I really want or need.

[TheRootedNomad]

OK - typed my answers before I read everyone elses. Should have read yours Lady_V as The Year Without A Santa Clause was the one I was refferrring to. The Meister brothers are very cool!

....I'm Mr Heat Meister
I'm Mr. 101....lol

poor Mother Nature...

I also didn't think anyone else would know Dominick the Donkey!

[nvmommyx6]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I do both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real thing, they smell wonderful, and make great fire wood the next season!!

3. When do you put up the tree? usuall the weekend after Thanksgiving, all the deco's go up!

4. When do you take the tree down? After new years if it is not too dead!!

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, especially in my coffee!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A motorcycle!!!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? my Mom

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A freakin laundry hamper!!!.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? the grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I shop all year when I see a good deal! The stocking stuffers I wait till last minute to do!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My Mom's Seven-layer cookie bars. Reindeer sausage!

16. Lights on the tree? Yep. regular and the bubble lights!!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Pretty Paper, blue Cristmas, Grandma got run over by a reindeer!!

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

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? My Grandmothers Angel sits ontop our tree every year!

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? 1 gift Christmas eve, and the rest Christmas morning!!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The sales and shopping freaks!!

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? Reds and greens and any that my kids make!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?Turkey, ham, sweet taters, mashed taters, gravy, rolls, green bean casserole, veggie tray, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie and my daughters cranberry sauce!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I am perfectly happy with my family being here with me as my gift, I would like to have a full size food prosessor though!!!

[Neeley]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper - I don't like all different kinds though. Everything under the tree has to match and coordinate. Like this year all gifts are being wrapped in white paper with big, bright red and green polka dots, or in matching red or green paper with 2 inch wired ribbon that is the coordinating polka dots. If someone brings over a gift and the paper (or gift bag) does not coordinate with mine, then it is hidden out of site in the back corner, way behind the tree.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Pre-lit Artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree?
If we spend Christmas in Disney World then the tree goes up the day we arrive at the resort. If we stay home for Christmas it goes up Thanksgiving weekend..

4. When do you take the tree down?
If we are in Disney then we take it down the day we leave, normally the first of January. If we are at home it comes down after the first of the year.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Gag - No way.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't know.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My step-mom

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I don't remember getting anything really bad.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph, Frosty, etc...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I start buying one small gift a week in August. Usually I pick up a $15-$25 gift card each week until Black Friday. Black Friday is when I do all of the real shopping.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I am sure I have but I cannot remember specifically.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I am such a picky eater. I do not get into the traditional holiday foods. I normally don't eat hardly any of the stuff served except a roll or some potato salad (without onions). The rest of it is pretty nasty to me.

16. Lights on the tree?
Always.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
12 Redneck days of Christmas and Grandma Got run over by a Reindeer.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Travel. I prefer to spend Christmas in Disney World. It is the most fun ever.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
It varies.

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning?
The kids get to choose one gift to open on Christmas Eve. The rest at 7:00 am Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic.

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color?
My favorite ornament is a ceramic bell I made when I was 4.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Green bean casserole? Stuffing?
None of it. I only eat less than ten different foods and none of them are really a part of a traditional holiday meal. I am an extremely picky eater. .

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I have a 2 1/2 K diamond ring I want remade into another ring. I don't like the current style of the ring and won't wear it. I want something I will wear and not just waste away in my jewelry box.

[cmdarlin]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like both but I prefer to make things look 'old fashioned'.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I'll be doing artificial only because we can't afford to buy a real tree this year. I usually put up two. DH loves the old 'aluminum' trees and found something similar that he has me put up only cause he couldn't find the real thing.

3. When do you put up the tree? The week of Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the weekend after New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog? No, but DH loves it. He gets my share.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Little sewing machine.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? DH and grandson

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but have always wanted one.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I usually mail only close family and email all my friends who are online.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Switches from a great-uncle'.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Carol. The old one in black and white.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? This year everything is homemade but when I have money, was usually through out the year when I came across things.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Grandma's dressing

16. Lights on the tree? Of course.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Mary, Did you know

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

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Yes, one my mom had made

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?The crowds and the grumpy people.


23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My homemade wooden ornaments

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Sweet potatoes

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing..... Just to be with my family.

[jamie79]

Holiday Edition

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Yds and I are both alergic to the real ones

3. When do you put up the tree? A couple weeks before Christmas. I always have to move my living room around to fit it in.

4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas. I want my house back to normal

5. Do you like eggnog? NO

6. Favorite gift received as a child? One year I got a bike

7. Hardest person to buy for? Dh. What do you get men besides tools, wallets, movies and clothes?

8. Easiest person to buy for? ODS

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Dh bought me a winter coat once. Ugly and thankfully too small

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? dont have one

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I have money for it

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I sold one at a yard sale brand new. Someone bought me perfume, knew I didnt use pertume so why did they buy it?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Seven-layer cookie bars. Or smoked oysters. They're a little too expensive to eat regularly.

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Carol of the Bells" and "Christmas in the Northwest"... it's a tie.

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

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? On our tree we have a Santa

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning. Stockings first, then dh makes a huge breakfast, we eat, I shower and they they open the rest. It takes us a few hours and then we relax

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The stores themselves

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? My favorite ornaments are my kids first Christmas ones

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My stuffing if we are having turkey

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Dh to be home
__________________

[WV_mom_of2]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bag - I do both

2. Real tree or Artificial? - I prefer real but our heating system dries them out in no time no matter how much we water them. So we use an old artificial one that mil gave us

3. When do you put up the tree - about two weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down - a day or two after Christmas

5. Do you like eggnog? - no but dh does

6. Favorite gift received as a child - a purple winter coat

7. Hardest person to buy for - my dad and my fil

8. Easiest person to buy for - my kids

9. Do you have a nativity scene - yes a small one from Avon that I put out on top of the entertainment center

10. Mail or email Christmas cards - mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received - a fire starter from mil

12. Favorite Christmas Movie - The Grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas - Usually in September or October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present. - I am going to this year. Last year sil got my ds two really nice JOhn Deere sweatshirts that were too small. She ordered them from somewhere and couldn't return them. So this year I'm giving them to my nephews

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas - mil's homemade peanut butter fudge

16. Lights on the tree - yes the big old fashioned kind

17. Favorite Christmas song - Away In a Manger sung by Kenny Chesney

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home - we drive 45 minutes to the inlaws on a Saturday before Christmas. Other than that we are at home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers. - Yep

20. Angel on the tree top or a star - angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning - Christmas Eve with my parents. Here at home it depends what dh is working on Christmas morning. If he's working the day shift where he leaves at 4:30am we do it on Christmas Eve. If he's home or working night shift we open them Christmas day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year - the rude people in stores!

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color. - My favorite ornament is an antique one that my grandmother gave me several years ago. I also love the ones the kids made in school!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner - Ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year - less stress for the coming year!

[Jskell911]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like the look of gift bags, but paper is usually cheaper.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Always has been

3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes,I love it

6. Favorite gift received as a child? One year my mom gave me my Baby Book. I still read it every now and again

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Husband

8. Easiest person to buy for?My son, he wants everything!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? We have a miniature one that belongs to my son

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A bar of soap that said DAD. I was a 26 yr old female

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Nightmare Before Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year, but I get serious about it around October

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Spiral Ham

16. Lights on the tree? Yep.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Don't have a favorite

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Go to parents' houses. Only about 30 miles away though

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? One gift on Christmas Eve, the rest on Christmas

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The Cold weather

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? A gold Bell my son made when he was 3

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Spiral Ham, sweet potatoes, cheesecake

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A Canning starter set