A Christmas inspired meme

Found on Things by Mike:

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Wrapping. Though I'll double-up and use gift bags to hold a bunch of small things, plus baking.

2. Real or artificial tree?
I prefer real. DH has decided that with at least another 20 years of trees for the kids he's decided it would be more convenient to get a pop-up artificial tree. Uh huh. (I miss the smell, the water stains and the shedding of a real tree!)

Mind you, growing up I had a sibling who was sickly around real trees so we had an assortment of unusual trees (birch, the ugly mystery tree ...) and finally settled on an artificial. I'd heard, from friends, "it wasn't Christmas until Dad got out the drill". Gives new meaning to Christmas when you've got an artificial tree!

3. When do you put up the tree?

Depends on what weekend all the children are home, though only DH decorates the tree, so I'm not sure why we wait. But, now it's tradition.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Around January 6th.

5. Do you like egg nog?
I can take it or leave it. I'd like to find a lower calorie alternative though.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
The one that's most memorable was a wagon I used to on my newspaper route.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Several.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Slippers. They didn't fit. I felt badly about that. And then, there was the really ugly watch.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I like receiving either or. Only recently have I taken to mailing some out. Usually they become New Years cards ;-)

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?
A Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
The day after Christmas, for the next year. Sometimes even before the current Christmas, if the specials are really good, and the Christmas "away" boxes have been sent.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
The venison jerky that comes but once a year from my in-laws.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
I prefer white, but now we've got the artificial tree, it'll be permanently colored, as least until the tree dies.

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?
Any that I can remember the words to. I like listening to them more then singing them.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Hell no. Well, maybe if I tried. I just don't want to. >:)

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?
1984 mental health angel from Brenda in New Brunswick. (There's a short, but special story that goes with that one! Some day I might recount it here.)

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
I prefer Christmas Eve, 'cause Pere Noel usually comes when we're at evening mass. DH prefers Christmas Day. Sometimes we compromise and do the socks the night before, if there's been a visit.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Commercialism.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?
Only tradition is to make new paper chains for the tree. So, no.

21. What do you leave for Santa?
Carrots for the reindeer. A cookie, and a bit of milk, and maybe a note.

22. Least favorite holiday song?
I'm sure I have at least one. I just can't recall. (And don't ask me to be your partner when playing Humzinger either!)

23. Favorite ornament?
Anything the kids have made.

24. Family tradition?
Staying home.

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?
Yes. I go to the evening masses usually because one or the other kids is in the presentation. I just can't stand the cologne and perfume.