I love Christmas!!!

I found this on someone's blog (that blog ADD is kicking in), so I thought it would be lots of fun!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, totally! I don't care what odd shape it is, I will wrap it up! I don't use those cheap sticky bows. I once in a while tie a bow with ribbon. Why? Because without them, I can fit more presents nicely under the tree. It's all about how it looks under the tree- right?

2. Real tree or Artificial? We usually alternate years for real and artificial. I love the ease of using artificial, especially with the kids. BUT, I love the smell of a real tree. This year, we put up the fake tree. I meant to get a candle for the tree smell (Yankee makes a great one), but never got around to that. I'm hoping that next year, we can go to a tree farm and cut down a tree. Great scrapbooking opportunity with that!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually, the day after Thanksgiving. This year, we put it up the weekend before Thanksgiving since the kids and I would be out of town over Thanksgiving. The tree only took a couple hours. It's all the other decorating that took at least a week, since I had to wait for Jacob to be sleeping.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime close to New Years day. I love the tree and decorations, but it starts to lose the fun once the presents have been distributed instead of being all pretty under the tree.

5. Do you like eggnog? nope!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Not sure. I can remember sneaking in to see things the year I was 7- got a fake birthstone jewelry set and a knock-off easy bake. My favorite childhood memories are more about the traditions. Casey (my sis) spent the night in my bed every Christmas Eve, and we would play games until we were allowed out of our rooms, once Mom had makeup on and Dad had coffee going. One year, they covered the door to our hallway in wrapping paper, so there was no way we could get out. I'm thinking about doing something like this for Beth this year :)

7. Hardest person to buy for? My in-laws. They don't really need a thing, and we try to think of things beyond the usual candle or tool.

8. Easiest person to buy for? The kids, without a doubt. I keep finding things I'd love to get them.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, though not as many as my mom. We have a little people toys one for the kids to play with. I also have a nice one I got from my Aunt Audrey before she moved to a senior living apartment. No telling how old it is, but it's cute.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Oh, mail, without a doubt. Since the cards are usually the picture type, I at least make it a point to hand address the envelopes. I have a spreadsheet with who we/I sent cards to, and if they sent one back. This year, everyone may be getting "Happy New Year" cards if I don't get to the post office soon!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Stuff obviously from garage sales from some family members. I think one year I got a gaudy gold bracelet with someone else's name engraved on it. Not that is was terrible, but one year my parents only got us gift cards. Each card was wrapped in some disguise- like with a bag of rice. Fun stuff, now that I think back on it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The old movies- Holiday Inn, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th, It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? We try to start in July or August. This year, we didn't start until October. That was tough, but we've done ok. I have one more to get for Kevin and then a couple odds and ends. The big shopping is DONE!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Possibly, most likely for white elephant gifting, probably some of that garage sale stuff

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Breakfast fritatta, Grandpa's peanut brittle- It's one of those precious memories associated with Christmas. He taught me how to make it, and I even have his special pan now, but I can't seem to get it right.

16. Lights on the tree? This year, they're colored. Next year, we're switching to white. Kevin does the lights. I want so badly to go behind him and "fix" them or add more. But, I'll keep working on subtle hints instead.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night" by Martina McBride (gives me chills)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? We travel every other year to the ILs, the weekend before Christmas. My parents come up for Christmas Eve and morning. I'm pretty insistent that we are at home for Christmas morning, for the kids' sake.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We've had an angel the last 7 years, but it finally gave up. I found some gorgeous angels, but the 4 year old insisted on a star. Kevin insisted on one with lights. I will say it looks nice and will look better next year with white lights on the tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. Santa delivers new jommies for everyone on Christmas Eve, all wrapped in a box. The kids open presents from my parents Christmas Eve, so they're not too overwhelmed on Christmas morning. Christmas morning- gifts from each other, our gifts from Mom and Dad, Mom and Dad's gifts from us, Santa gifts (though they're not wrapped). I LOVE having my parents here on Christmas morning to share the magic of the day through the eyes of the kids!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who get grumpy and forget to ENJOY the short Christmas season. Oh, and the darn Salvation Army bells!

23. Favorite thing? All the magic, the sights, the sounds, the time with family... I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

24. What theme or color are you using? traditional, hodge podge of stuff and colors everywhere

25. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Fajitas

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? A new camera, more time together as a family, more time to myself- this seems more like a new years resolution list.

27. Who is most likely to blog this? Anige, if she's up late with the new baby
28. Who is least likely to blog this? Casey