25 Questions about Christmas: GO!

I found this fun Christmas meme somewhere online - the link I had for it no longer works so I can't link back to it - but anyways, I thought it was fun, so here it is!

25 QUESTIONS ABOUT CHRISTMAS

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper... all the way, unless of course I don't have suitable box, then its a gift bag!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial - in my adulthood, as I married a man who is allergic to 'real' Christmas trees. When I was younger we always got a real tree and I loved doing that, but I have to say I really do LOVE my artificial tree when I can put it up pre-holiday rush and enjoy it. I love sitting in the living room, nothing but the tree lights on! It honestly makes my house feel like a HOME.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Well, before I had a December baby, I would have said first week in December, this year, though, I put it up the second week in December, and I am thinking that this might be the new norm in our household.

4. When do you take the tree down? 
The later the tree goes up, the later you take it down right?! Usually the first weekend in January its down. I'm not my mother, heaving it out the front door on the 27th of December or anything crazy like that, but the first of the new year I like to see it go!

5. Do you like Egg Nog? 
I LOVE Egg Nog, but ask me to drink a glass in April - no thank you.  I am currently addicted to Starbuck's Egg Nog Latte's, or Green Mountain's Spicy Eggnog Holiday k-cups.  So good!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmmm... I have to say the year I got my Game Boy was pretty awesome! I also loved our newborn cabbage patch doll!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
PC has a fabulous great Aunt who spoils us, but I have to admit, she is hard to buy for... not because she is picky or has unique taste, but because the older you get the more you have/the less you need.  I rack my brain every year to come up with something different, practical, useful, and that doesn't scream 'I'm getting older', but its definitely a challenge unless of course you buy her the same thing every year.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My parents are fairly easy to buy for... they don't indulge in a lot of things, so if they mention something in July, you can bet they won't have it by Christmas, which makes it easy to shop for! And, they are always full of ideas of what would be useful to them.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes... are they up? No. Glass + babies & toddlers = disaster!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail... definitely, and photo definitely.  I love getting Christmas cards of all types... but I especially love photo ones by mail! Or I love the annual letters too... a card with some meat! Those are the best!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I remember the year that my sister and I got the knock-off version of the grown-up cabbage patch dolls. I knew right away they were not "Cabbage Patch" and I was pretty disappointed (but in my adult life I know it was the thought that counts)!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Elf... I love that movie, and can watch it over and over again.  A close second is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? It use to be December 10th or so... but in my mothering years, I have learned to pick things up starting back in the summer! The real challenge is remembering where the gifts are stored come game time!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Christmas... NO!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas and favorite Christmas dessert?
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas is my Mom's stuffing. Since I don't make it home most Thanksgiving's, I miss out on turkey and stuffing, so Mom's Christmas stuffing tastes that much better. Dessert wise, I'd have to go with Mom's lemon squares! So good.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Hmmm, so many good ones. I love me some Michael Bubble this time of year and Lady A's Christmas album is a good one, but two that get stuck in my head easily are Bing's Christmas in Killarney and Gayla Peevey's I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Alternate.  Pros and cons to both. Although we don't see both of our families on Christmas morning, we are lucky that we don't have to rush visits and squeeze in appearances on all four sides. Traveling is not fun in the snowy weather, but being 'home' for Christmas is always a treat. No matter where we are though, we always wished we were with EVERYBODY!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s?
Rudy!! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, "Donder", and Blitzen!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel! But E informed me this year that its suppose to be a star!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Morning... all the way!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? 
Those hand lotion salesman in the middle of the mall. Annoying all year through, but ten times more annoying at Christmas in the rush of holiday shoppers!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I love the gold, silver, and reds! Classic.

24. Handmade ornaments or store bought?
Combo. Love the beautiful store bought ones, but as my boys get older, I think I will come to love the handmade!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
In all honestly, I want a simple Christmas - this being my last few weeks of mat. leave, I want to close out 2011 in a low key fashion with health and happiness for all my family and friends!

Now, your turn!

If you'd like play along, feel free to copy and paste, just share the link to your answers in the comment section!