Christmas Meme

When I was over at Dawn's blog I found this great meme. Play along if you like - leave me a comment so I can check out your answers.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I like the convenience of gift bags for birthday presents, but for Christmas it's all about the wrapping paper!

Real tree or artificial?

Growing up we had an artificial tree until I was a teenager, and then we switched to real. My husband and I enjoyed going to the Christmas Tree Farm when we lived in Virginia. This year my sister Lori was kind enough to lend us an artificial tree since we are living in a state of flux and don't know when we will be moving into our house.

When do you put up the tree?

We typically put it up over Thanksgiving weekend.

When do you take the tree down?

Normally somewhere around the first of the year.

Favorite holiday theme?

I would have to say angelic. I used to collect Snow Babies and I bring them out each year. And if you read the answer 2 questions down, you'll see where it ties in.

Favorite gift received as a child?

Can it be 2? My dollhouse and my "real" doll. My dollhouse was decorated with real wallpaper - one of the bedrooms even had the same wallpaper as was in my bedroom. My "real" doll, was a Victorian doll. I loved that she was so beautiful - I still have her to this day and she sits proudly in my room.

Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes, many. I have a Celtic one that is made of stone pieces, a couple of Target/Walmart ones where the pieces are attached to the manager, a beautiful ivory ceramic one made by the aunt of one of Chris' friends (Stickels Family Ceramic Shop) and my newest addition is my beautiful Fontanini set that my parents gave me for Christmas.

Hardest person to buy for?

My dad!

Easiest person to buy for?

My boys!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

The non-gift that I received from my boyfriend one year.

Mail or email cards?

It has to be mailed cards. I have enjoyed stamping my cards for the past few years. I love the time I put into them and hope that our friends and family who receive them can feel the extra love I put into them.

Favorite Christmas movie?

I do so love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I have to admit that I have purchased Christmas presents as early as April! Not everything, but if I see something that really strikes a cord with me as being a perfect gift I won't hesitate getting it and stowing it away. Of course Chris is always afraid that I'll forget where I hid it and that I'll buy even more!

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

No.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

All the food my mom makes for Christmas day. For brunch we have Breakfast Hot Dish (casserole made with eggs and sausage, although this description just doesn't do it justice). Dinner is something I look forward to all year. My parents made the decision early in their marriage that they wanted to have an Old English Christmas dinner. We have a standing rib roast, Yorkshire pudding (YUM!), brussel sprouts & carrots, creamed celery and rolls - although really, who needs rolls with all the other yumminess abounding on the table.

White lights or colored on the tree?

White. Though I do love to sit in front of my parents tree which still sports the large multicolor bulbs of my youth.

Favorite Christmas song?

I can't narrow it down to just one, so here's a small sampling:

• Mary's Boy Child (I cry with joy every time I hear this one)
• The Christmas Shoes (another tear-jerker)
• Gabriel's Message (gives me chills)
  
• Angels We Have Heard on High
• Sleigh Ride
• Silver Bells
• Christmas Eve in Washington (I'm really going to miss hearing this one this year)
  

Travel for Christmas or stay at home?

I grew up staying home for Christmas - we lived too far from family to make it work even if my parents wanted to travel. Chris went to his grandparents for Christmas. We are trying to find a happy medium. We are striving to have Christmas at our house in the morning and then seeing people in the afternoon/evening.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes.

Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star - silver with lights strung through it.

Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas Day. The exception is for Chris and I. We open the majority of our presents to each other late on Christmas Eve since we don't want to make the kids sit through all of our opening in the morning. Plus, after we open gifts in the morning we have gone over to my parents' house so it just saves time.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Christmas decorations going up at Halloween. Commercialism. Disrespect. The mall.

What I love most about Christmas?

The music. The decorations. Giving to my family and friends. Looking forward to the birth of a baby that changed the world.