Christmas Meme

I found this meme on Lolatini's blog and thought I would play along too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both - I used to be really anal about wrapping my presents so they looked really pretty, but now that I've gotten older, I've gotten lazy. If you get a gift from me that is wrapped - then you know you're special because I took the time to do it!

2. Real tree or artificial? I love real trees...I hate the mess they make. I went artificial the year before they came out with the trees that already had the lights on them. Shucks

3. When do you put up the tree? 2 weeks before Christmas usually. I don't like it up too early because it takes up so much room.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years day, but I've been told it's bad luck to take it down before Jan. 6th.

5. Do you like eggnog? Oh yeah!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My new two wheel bike~ It was purple and had a banana seat and a sissy bar and purple and white tassels on the handles. I thought I was the shit on that bike!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - it's from Ireland. I love it!

8. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad - he's 71 and has everything...what do you buy someone like that?

9. Easiest person to buy for? Kids - they always want money!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I guess I'm more of an e-mailer these days.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't remember, but I think my ex-husband probably was involved in it.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch That Stole Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Depends - I sometimes buy Christmas gifts when I travel if I find unique things.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes I have!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Russian Tea Cakes - my Mom used to make them every year!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I like clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters (see below)

17b. Christmas Song That, When You Hear It, Makes Your Eyes Bleed And Your Brains Start To Leak Out Your Ears, Because That Is Less Painful Than Having To Listen To That *&%^&$# Song One More Time! Anything in the vein of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" (obnoxious!) or "Christmas Shoes" (over-the-top shmaltziness). (I'll keep Lg's remarks...I agree!)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home most of the time. I do most of the cooking

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? I'm so distracted by the fact that someone used the word "reindeers" in this question, but I'll do my best: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donner, Cupid, Comet, Blitzen, Rudolph. (I'm keepign LG's response here too...ditto!)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both - If I had my way, we wold wait until Christmas day, but M can't stand to wait that long!!!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic

24. Favorite Christmas Tradition? Just having my family here for the holidays. Now that my kids are older and I don't see them as often, that time with them is the best!

25. Outdoor decorations? I haven't put anything up because our house is still in disarray from the kitchen project. I probably will not do lights outside again this year because it's too late in the season.

If you want to play! Please do!