Holiday Meme

No one tagged me for this.
But I'm tagging a bunch of people. You're probably on the list.
Yeah, you.
So blog this. You know, if you have a blog and all...
Because sometimes it's hard to know what to write about.
Holidaze are busy.
Some days I sit down to write something for my blog and draw a blank. If that happens to you in the next month or so, use this handy meme. You can do the whole thing at once, like I did, or use one question a day and have something to write about for 25 days in a row!

If I tag you and you don't wanna, that's okay.
But if you DO... leave me a comment so people can come to your blog and read what you have to say, okay?

I pasted a blank copy of this at the end, because I hate having to copy/paste/and go through it line by line to delete it before I can use it.

Think of it as my gift to you this lovely holiday season. You're welcome.

I tag the following people: If you're not listed, it's because I am disorganized, not because I don't want to hear from you. I read a lot of blogs. These are not the only ones. If you're not on the list, and you want to participate, please do.

The Mournful Cry of the Laundry
Robin’s Nest
Such Lovely Freckles
Knit wit on the Prairies
Job 23:10
My Supernatural World
All In A Day's Work
kitten's homeschool
Homeschool Moments
A Mother's Musings
Freakmom's Space
My Myriad of Mosaics
Bohos by the Sea
The Jason Show
Mom #1
Third Culture Kids R Mine!!!!
The Name Was Over The Door
The Foil Hat, Inc. | You're safe with us.
Linda at Chicken Soup..
Help me, Obi-Mom Kenobi! You’re my only hope.
Like I Have Time For This?
Colours of Dawn
Glad you had time to stop, hope you find something of interest.

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1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper. I bought it last year on December 26th at half-price. I bought an assload of it, too. I'll be using it next year. Possibly the year after that. I used to use actual ribbon and make real bows, but I just don't take the time anymore. I stick one on. (And most of those will be from last year or the year before or the year before. A bow can make it onto 10 Christmas packages before it's so bedraggled it has to be retired.)

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artificial. This will be the second Christmas we have used ours. I have always wanted one (since they started looking like trees instead of green shreddy crap). When we get a real tree, I don't like the bugs in the house. I don't like the sap on my hands and on the carpet. I don't like killing a damn tree every year!! The year before last, Alyssa suddenly developed the same feelings about killing a tree that I had, and we decided to get an artificial one. Ours is in four sections, with lights everywhere. One thing I don't like about it is that the lights are all white, and I really like the multi-colored strands that do different things. The two big sets we used before had several settings and were fun to watch. The other thing I don't like is that it's very sharp and pokey. When assembling it last year, I got scratched all to hell and didn't even know it until we were finished putting it together. I looked like I'd been in an argument with a cat for about a week.

3. When do you put up the tree?

We used to wait until December 11th or whatever weekend day was closest. That's my birthday. I hated that my birthday kind of got lost in the whole Christmas thing when I was a kid, so I subconsciously decided that the tree should not go up until then when I was an adult. This had the added bonus, since the tree was always real, of the tree staying mostly good until the actual day. This year, I am going to try to get the tree up by the 7th.

4. When do you take the tree down? About five minutes after Christmas. I won't tell you how long the ornament boxes sit around the house before they eventually make it back to wherever they're getting stored this year.

5. Do you like eggnog?

I do not. Eggnog is the pasteurized version of post-nasal drip. Feels just the same going down the back of my throat.

I'm sorry, was that disgusting?

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't really know. Nothing stands out in my memory. I always got the best gifts from my grandparents. My mom told them what I wanted, and it was always under the tree. My grandparents had a flower shop, and our presents were always beautifully wrapped in colored foil with handmade bows. When we opened a present on Christmas Eve, it was always one of those I chose..

7. Hardest person to buy for? We don't buy for anyone but the kids. OUR kids. Used to buy for the nephews, but they're not little anymore. Christmas isn't magic like it used to be. :)

8. Easiest person to buy for? See above

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes. My mom bought it for me for 99 cents at the Coast to Coast Hardware store when I was in the 5th grade. I added a bit of metallic paint here and there, and it comes out every year.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

I always have good intentions. I even send a card or two occasionally. I have started our family Christmas letter for this year to tuck into cards. But will I get them addressed and sent? Doubtful.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing really stands out on this one, either. When people do give me gifts, it's always very thoughtful. Even if it's not what I wanted, it makes my heart happy when someone wants to give me a present.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story. LOVE that movie. I watch it at least twice every Christmas season. I watched it on Thursday while I was working in the kitchen.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

It really depends on how much money I have and how early I have it. I have started in July in the past, picking up a bit here and there all summer. Both kids have June birthdays and Christmas is six months away... so I try to plan for both things far in advance. Whoever said babies are expensive was crazy... it's teenagers. I have purchased three presents so far this year, all for Lyssa.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

No, I haven't. I once gave someone a Christmas decoration she admired on my coffee table, though.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Fudge. Female, please. (no nuts)

16. What decorations are on your tree?

Stuff from Matt's K class, things Lyssa made in Girl Scouts, plaster ornaments I painted, ornaments that hung on my grandparent's tree, stuff we bought for our first Christmas together and a huge collection of stuff that belongs to the kids. Matt and Lyssa get at least one ornament every year, and will have a full box of their own when they move out. I'll probably have to buy a bunch when they do, or the tree will seem bare. On the other hand, they have so many ornaments that I never am able to hang all of mine. Perhaps I'll have enough.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Silver Bells.

But I also love hearing Karen Carpenter sing Ave Maria. Actually, I love the Carpenter's Christmas Portrait album with all my heart.

I also love Mannheim Steamroller. Thing is, with their stuff, you get lovely and soulful and layers of harmony on one song and brash, discordant, clanging noise on the next. Which is why I put my favorites on one CD and leave the originals in the cabinet.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

Stay home stay home stay home!!! Even if we had the money to travel, there isn't anywhere I'd rather be.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Should I? They already have names, don't they? My favorite one is Olive.
You know. Olive the other Reindeer.

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

Santa, Victorian style. Tree stuck up his, er... skirt. That could explain the enigmatic half-smile on his face, huh?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

We open on Christmas Eve. Santa usually leaves a present for the kids for Christmas morning.

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

The way everything has become so politically correct. It's NOT rude to say Merry Christmas to me. Or wish me a Happy Hannukah. Or whatever. People shouldn't have to worry about which phrase they're using to wish someone well. I appreciate your good thoughts and your holiday cheer. And if you're behind the counter of a retail store this season and you're able to smile, be polite and upbeat, and still do your job, you're a saint. You deserve the respect of every contrary, churlish curmudgeon* that passes through your line. Bless you. And Merry Christmas!!

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

Free for all. If I have it, I'll hang it up. But when the kids move out, they get to take their favorite stuff. The things that meant something to them as they grew up. They are excited every year as things come out of the boxes.

And really, people with a 'theme' for the holiday make me a little uncomfortable. I once made a hand painted ornament for every girl in my original 15 member Girl Scout troop. I overheard one mom telling her excited daughter, "No, that thing is not hanging on my tree! It doesn't fit the THEME!!" I found it in the trash after the meeting.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

When Eric and I got married, he was a cook in a Mexican restaurant. Real Mexican food, not Taco Bell, ya know? So I love it when he cooks a whole Mexican dinner for Christmas. Enchiladas, tamales, taquitos etc... and sopapillas. Yum. We've also done lasagna, fried chicken, and the traditional turkey or ham. I haven't asked everyone what they'd like this year, so not sure what we'll have.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

I have everything. Seriously.

I suppose having the perfect job just drop into my lap would be nice... but I love my life.

*Curmudgeon is my holiday word for stupid asshole.

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1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

2. Real tree or Artificial?

3. When do you put up the tree?

4. When do you take the tree down?

5. Do you like eggnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

7. Hardest person to buy for?

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. What decorations are on your tree?

17. Favorite Christmas song?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

20. Angel on top of tree or star?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

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

23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?