A Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like the look of wrapping paper, but I also utilize gift bags, decorative tins, and baskets for that hard-to-wrap gift. I really spend a lot of time on the presentation of each gift; curly ribbons and such.

2. Real tree or Artificial? One of each. I have a beautiful (read: expensive) artificial one for inside due to the fact I am allergic to real ones, but I have a real one on the front porch.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving night, depending on how much we ate :)

4. When do you take the tree down? It's bad luck to take it down before January 1st.

5. Do you like eggnog? Light Eggnog. The fatty stuff is too rich for me. Although, a few shots of Captain Morgan will cut the sweetness- hehehe.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Either my pink hug-a-bunch with "pink hair and a pink dress," or my piccolo. Come on, what band geek wouldn't love a new musical instrument beneath the tree?

7. Hardest person to buy for? Dan, my step-father, simply because if you get him something that he doesn't like, or won't use, he'll tell you right then and there. No facade. It's a bit intimidating. But I am 0 for 9 right now, so wish me luck this year.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Xander.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Do I have a nativity scene? Are you really asking me this? I have two very nice (again, read: expensive) nativity scenes. Proof? Here you go! My first one, and my newest baby

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Love giving and receiving them. At the end of the season I take pinking shears and cut them up into little gift tags for next year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The year my parents got the whole family matching teal/hot pink ski jackets so we could easily spot each other from anywhere the mountain...or from space.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Grinch! The original.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I shop all year. I like to be done by Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Now, what exactly do you mean by "recycled?" As in after I used it I put it in with the recyclables? Yes. If you mean, have I ever given away something that someone bought me that I absolutely hated and used it at a Yankee swap? Never! ;)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? M&M pretzels.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white ones. I hate the colored lights. I'm a racist. I think their tacky.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Little Drummer Boy.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? On Christmas = stay home, before Christmas = travel (the weeks leading up to.) I have a policy that I don't spend the actual day anywhere but my own home. Plus, Aaron and I have a tradition that we go out for Chinese food on Christmas Night.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course. (Is that spelled correctly? Isn't is supposed to be reindeer? Isn't that already plural? Argh, annoying- if you cut and paste this meme, change that part!)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star. Growing up my parents had an angel. It was crocheted and dipped in sugar water to make it stiff. My sister and I would always lick it and get yelled at.

21. Presents on Christmas Eve or morning? 1 on Christmas Eve, then the rest when we wake in the morning. BUT-- stockings first!!! Then we each do one and alternate. There is a method to it. I am really good about keeping secrets (duh!) but my poor sister, that's another story. She will literally bust at the seams. She loves to GIVE gifts and can barely contain herself until you open hers.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How commercialized it's become. Oh and how awkward people are about being politically correct. It's like they wish you a seasons greeting in the form of a question. "Merry Christmas?" No, moron, I just have 40 million bags in my hand, and a blinking Santa pin attached to my snowman turtleneck as I sing Joy to the World. I do this every day of the year!

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Silver and... Red. I hate gold. I like my tree to look really classy. But for further inspection of my favorite Christmas items click here.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Chinese Food.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Aaron has a comprehensive/bulleted list. Just kidding. The stocking is my favorite part anyway.