questions of christmas.

I got this little survey from the always funny, Lora over at Fever. I absolutely love her comical and edgy blog, it tickles me to no end. Please go check out her survey you'll laugh your butt off! Thank you Lora and may you have a very Merry Egg Nog filled Christmas!!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I hate gift bags for Christmas (at least under our tree). M is a huge snooper, if he has any chance to figure out what he's getting - he'll take it without blinking!

2. Real tree or Artificial? 
I love real tress, but not the mess that comes with them. Our tree is artificial, and has been since our second Christmas together (going on year 4 with the artificial tree). Oddly enough one of M's favorite scents is pine needles being sucked up on the vacuum cleaner - odd right? That being said we both say other than the typical evergreen and cinnamon scents - the smell of Scotch tape makes us think of Christmas. (Sorry if I've noted that before, but it's true).

3. When do you put up the tree?
I used to always wait until after M's birthday (Dec. 8th) to put up the tree. I always figured M and I would have our bday then we'd celebrate Jesus' birthday the rest of the month. This year we tossed the tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving and I must say it's really made my spirits brighter having it up already.

4. When do you take the tree down?
New Years Day, sometimes a little later than that.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Way too much. Although I've noticed this year that my stomach isn't loving the nog like it used to. Maybe it's too rich? I never thought I'd say that... but it tears me up so I've limited my intake this year.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Wow, it's hard to pick just one but the first that comes to mind is the Connect Four game I got one year. Mostly because my dad and I played all morning long while mom made breakfast. He always helped me put my toys together in the morning but this was the first time we had some actual fun, and bonded over a game. (Note: My dad and I didn't become really close until my parent's divorced years ago, he was busy being the bread winner of the family).

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I do - we inherited the collection from my mother when she passed away and I love it. It always reminds me of Christmas, however I did not set it up this year. There are a lot of pieces to it and most have chips taken out of them. Baby Jesus has one hand missing and no feet, it's rather sad.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My dad - what do you get the man who has everything?

9. Easiest person to buy for?
M - hands down. Not only does he give you a huge list of things he wants but he also enjoys all the surprise stuff I get him as well.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Honestly, and engagement ring. I was 17 years old and my boyfriend of 5 years proposed to me on Christmas. That being said I think that an engagement ring is a great gift, even at Christmas I just wasn't ready for all that at age 17... I said yes anyway... and made it a super long engagement that turned into nothing - THANK GODNESS!

Honorable Mention: A few not so pretty sweaters from my grandmother. Bless her heart, we didn't see each other a lot so I usually got items that were nothing like what I might wear.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas card?
Real mail always! I do enjoy a fun e-card as well from friends but I'm all for the old fashioned greetings of Christmas. I don't want to see traditions like this die.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Christmas Story. I can say that without blinking, it's a classic and I adore it.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
When ever the mood truly strikes me. I've bought stuff in July before. My main issue with starting early is that I over buy. If I grab something that I think someone will like - I have a hard time later saying no to another great item they might like. In the end I spend WAY more than budgeted. I work better under pressure. I won't think twice about heading out on Christmas Eve to get last minute shopping done. I'd rather not, but I handled it just fine if needed.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I have not - however for years and years I've used some of my birthday money towards buying others Christmas gifts. Which really stinks. I always try to write myself and IOU for January to go shopping but it never happens.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cookies!!! And Egg Nog Milkshakes. McD's no longer has them but I've noticed that Krystal's does. I really need to grab just one before the season is over.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
White lights! I can appreciate colorful lights, but I prefer white lights on my tree and my house. I would go for blue lights or red (as long as it's all one color). Maybe when I have kids I'll change my mind or get a second tree for colorful lights to make them happy but for now it's white lights all the way!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I'll Be Home For Christmas - it makes me cry every time I hear it!
Second: Little Drummer Boy and White Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Since I moved I have to travel. I am going home early this Christmas to see my dad and friends and will return to AL to hang with M's family for the holidays.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
Yes, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.

20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star?
We have a star - I want a snowflake but I haven't found one that I like. I am uncomfortable with shoving the tree up an angels booty or Santa's booty.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? 
 M and I open one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning. We always open the pet's stockings first so we can watch them get all excited. We also do the opening of this family's gifts with his parents and family on Christmas Eve - it's mass chaos!!!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Parking, and the kids that are screaming and crying because they want a toy and don't get that Santa might be bringing it to them. What annoys me even more is the parents that do NOTHING about this behavior!!! I don't have children for a reason right now - because I don't want that hassle, further more I really don't want to have to listen to your child pitch a royal fit because you won't buy her the Hannah Montana Special Edition Barbie. The phrase "Santa Claus is watching you!" has lost all meaning!

23. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented?
The Santa that shakes his ass. I can't stand those things!!! 

25. Which looks best theme trees or homey trees?
I love both. Theme trees are awesome but homey trees really bring the spirit of the holiday to life when you have all your memories hanging on them. It's holiday food for the soul.

26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies?
Sugar cookies!

27. Do you like Fruitcake?
No thank you. Gift cards are much better when you don't know what to get someone. No one wants a block of hard fruit bread.

Just a few more to share from the sweet Angie over at Just Shy of a "Y"!

What is your least favorite thing about the holidays?
Giving gifts and making other people smile hands down. I just love the over all feeling of goodwill that comes with this time of year. If only everyone got that!

What is your favorite holiday smell?
Evergreen and fresh baked cookies. As well as the smell of "snow" - the way the air smells before a good snow always makes my day.

Who is your favorite reindeer?
I've always liked the name Vixen.

What is your Christmas Eve ritual?
When I lived with my parents it was always opening one gift on Christmas Eve. And we would have our festivities the next day (opening gifts, unwrapping presents etc). Now that I live here in Alabama M's family always gets together on Christmas Eve and we sit around the living room and exchange gifts one person at a time can open so everyone can watch - it gets a bit chaotic at times, there are so many children, but it's always so much fun!

Are you a Friday after Thanksgiving shopper?
Not if I can help it - I'd rather sleep in and sleep off the turkey from the day before.

What is your favorite holiday food?
Turkey, Cookies and Egg Nog.

How did you find out that Santa wasn't real?
I honestly can't remember...isn't that terrible <~ I have the same answer as Angie. I have no clue.

Have you bought all your presents yet?
NO and I'm freaking out!

Do you still make snowmen and snow angels?
I wish I haven't been around enough snow in ages to be able to to do this.

Do you still have snow ball fights?
See the answer above.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?
Christmas Story Vs. Christmas Vacation - for my other favorites see this post.

What do you plan to do for New Year's Eve?
As long as I'm with M I don't care what we do - but I do believe we're heading to a friend's house for a party this year!

What's the most expensive thing you've ever gotten for Christmas?
My dad always gets me jewelry so I'd have to say that - or maybe it was the engraved Ipod M got me for our 2nd Christmas together.

How early do you wake up on Christmas morning?
M always wakes up first - he will sometimes let me sleep in but I don't think he's ever lasted past 8 AM!

What do you usually get in your stocking?
Small things - candy and sometimes my stocking stuffers don't fit in the stocking and M wraps them and puts them under the tree.

What is your favorite religious Christmas carol?
Oh Come Let Us Adore Him (Is that the correct title?)

What is your favorite non-religious Christmas song?
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is up there high, but I love I'll Be Home for Christmas

How long do you leave up your Christmas decorations?
We usually take them down the day after New Years Day.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! ox