My 25 Christmas Memories...

I will add the pictures of my house soon but until then, I thought I would do what my girls have done. Here are my 25 Christmas Memories

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love both, but have started using bags over the last years.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Really always loved the process of our family going out to select the tree, thinking it will not be big enough, cutting it down, bringing it home to find that is is way bigger inside my house, the pungent smell...ah I love it until it is time to take it down. Needles everywhere because it had gotten so dry. For the past 8 or so years, I have changed to a prelit artificial tree because it is to much easier! I just add pine scented candles to bring that holiday smell into my house.

3. When do you put up the tree?
I usually put it up on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.

4. When do you take the tree down?
I at least wait until after Christmas, but most of the time I have it down by New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes! I love, love, love the taste of eggnog. It is just way to fattening to drink it as much as I would like.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I think it would be my softbodied baby doll, which I still have.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My parents...they can get whatever they need, and do not ever ask for anything.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My granddaughter

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, I do...actually two.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
My choice is to make my own cards and I have done that for years. However, the last few years I have had family emergencies that have kept me for getting that done. So, I am having to deal with the guilt I feel for not making my own. I may design one and send them out through email as a pdf. file. Postage has gotten so expensive, it is very costly to send out 60 cards anymore.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
An alarm clock from my husband. And then the following June, for my birthday, he got me another one...with a lighted dial. And I am not even one who is a late sleeper or who doesn't get up easily. He has since learned to ask what I want or ask the girls what to get.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Goodness..there are so many, but I suppose it would be a tie between "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life."

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I shop all throughout the year and hide the presents in a "safe place." However, I inevitably forget to put some of them out until everyone starts opening presents and I suddenly remember I had gotten something else for them that is not showing up. lol I hate getting older and losing my memory!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Breakfast Casserole on Christmas morning.

16. Lights on the tree?
Oh yes, lots of them...all white!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
“Oh Holy Night”

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We always try to be home on Christmas day but usually travel either before or after to Birmingham to be with Norman's parents and siblings and to El Dorado to be with my family.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
OF course, You know, Dasher and Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen...but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer...LOL

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

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
I always wanted to open at least one on Christmas Eve, but never could convince my husband to start this tradition. So, Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The commercialism and the stupidity of all this "political correctness" in calling this season, "Winter Break." Come on, if it wasn't for Christmas, I sincerely doubt the economy would be boosted in the least by people going out to buy "Winter Break" gifts! AND more importantly the insane idea of trying to take Christ out of Christmas and everyone being instructed not to say, Merry Christmas! for fear of showing preference to one celebration over another!!! OK...I will get down off my soap box now.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
Right now, I have red and silver...I have used for many years a collection of ornaments old and new, that were given to me.


24. Favorite memory of Christmas?
I think as a child and young adult, it would be all gathering on Thanksgiving weekend at my grandparents to have Christmas. We would draw names the year before and then bring a present for the person whose name you drew. Lots of great memories!
Since my grandparents are no longer with us...I think it would be any of the Christmases with my girls and now with Camryn. It is so exciting to see her excitement! This year should be a very memorable since we have all gone together to get her a Yorkie!


25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I really don't want anything, however, I have already purchased my gift and will put it together after I take all the Christmas decor down...a buffet with a hutch.