The Christmas Survey

How about a Christmas meme? I found this one over at Knitter in Progress.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
This year I'm forgoing wrapping paper entirely. I have a gift bag stash and might dip into that as necessary but I'm going with reusable shopping bags for the vast majority of gifts this year. Each household is getting a reusable shopping bag filled with their gifts. E is already not that enthused. I think I will at least use gift bags for the kids presents.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Genuine Faux for us. Dave and I did not even have a tree until E turned one. Then we went out and bought a little three foot fake tree. We keep it up on a table. Its just enough tree for us. We had a fake tree growing up. I loved our tree. Dave grew up with real trees. Thankfully the real/live/fake decision is a non issue in our house.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Day after Thanksgiving. Thought about putting it up on Thanksgiving Day this year but it did not happen.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually during the week between Christmas and New Years. But we keep the Christmas lights up until Spring, just 2 or 3 strands inside, they help chase away the winter doldrums.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes! I had REAL, booze filled eggnog this past Sunday at a cookie exchange. Oh it was yummy.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Tough one. I have a favorite Christmas picture of me standing up in my then new Barbie Camper box. That was a fun toy.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Currently my two SIL's. ACK! One reads this blog. Oh Noes!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister and my kids.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. We have a Child's Nativity from Great Grandma Ruth. Baby Jesus is screwed into the manger so you can't take him out and choke on him. It's actually a very nice, sweet, cute little Nativity.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Well last year despite MULTIPLE attempts to get a good picture of the kids I was simply not able to get picture Holiday cards out last year. Then Jackpot I got a great picture of the kids. The holiday card turned into a Happy New Year card, it was a bit late but it went out and expressed hope for a happy and healthy 2008. It was great to see the picture on refrigerators as we visited friends and family this year. We might just do Happy New Year cards again this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Let's not go there. I block most things like this.


12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Auntie Mame continues to be my favorite movie and it has a Christmas segment. The Santa scene in A Christmas Story is a personal favorite. I loved going shopping at Higbee's in downtown Cleveland.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I like to do the CEO's Christmas Countdown that starts in late October. I started a few weeks late this year and I'm still not done even though it's after December 1st.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
More then likely. I'm ok with regifting as long as it is not used, unless you are giving vintage.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
EVERYTHING! I love holiday food excess. I just love food.

16. Lights on the tree?
I wish I could see. I wish it every day. The logs on the fire...

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I was a Cleveland Singing Angel for four years. I know a ton of holiday songs. We would open shows with Sleigh Ride and close with We Wish You The Merriest. I love many, many, many Christmas songs.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
For now Stay at Home for Christmas and travel around the holidays. We are still tryign to decide what we are doing this year.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
But of course.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Open one gift Christmas Eve. Before we had kids it was common for us to open one gift each after the 11:00 Christmas Eve service at Dad's church in the church parlor. The kids are not quite old enough yet for late Christmas Eve services.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The constant, grinding push to consume, to buy, to spend. The crowds are not fun. The music is fun. The decorations are fun. The food is fun, all in reasonable amounts.

22. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Suppose I'm a Traditionalist, green, red, white, etc.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Yarn. Duh. I want to learn to magic loop. So the knit picks nickle interchangeable needle set is looking really tempting, along with a few pairs of 40 and 47 inch cables, and maybe some 40 inch sock needles. Sigh.

24. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We have a felt Angel from my childhood that usually graces the top of the tree. I kept the tree simple this year. H already took it down once so we are playing it safe. I recently saw a picture of a tree with a Red and White striped mitten, looked hand knitted on the tippy top. I like that idea.

25. Favorite Christmas dinner?
Pretty much Thanksgiving but with more cookies. Maybe some ham. I'm a fan of food.