...'tis the season!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper and curling ribbon... bows only when I'm lazy... even if I use gift bag's I usually try and wrap what's inside...

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Real... Silver Tip, not Nobel Fir, Nobel's are probably better know for X-mas trees, but they're far too bushy for the type of decorations we have on our tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually on the "First day of Christmas", which was yesterday, but mom & stepdad were out of town until today, and we still didn't do it today, but I'm sure it will be done by this weekend.

4. When do you take the tree down?
On the day Epiphany is celebrated by the Church of England, Jan 6th.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I LOVE eggnog, but too many calories, fat & sugar grams... so this year I'm going to try a no-sugar added soy milk recipe I found at hungrygirl.com.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
It's probably not, but I'm going to have to say the doll house my grandad in England made for me... by hand... including the wallpapering, carpets & detailed yard...

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I don't think I have my own, but my mom has LOTS of them... I'll have to take pictures when they all come out... she keeps at least a dozen out year round... and I try and have one under the tree for her each year... and my sisters try and bring her one home every time we leave the country, so she has some (a few actually) from Mexico, Greece, Italy, Ireland, France & Germany to name a few.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My stepfather, but I know I can always fall back on a fishing or hunting license.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
the Padawan and the Jedi...

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
ummmm.... I'm not sure if it was for Christmas, but a quilted vest, neon green crazy floral print... hand made by grandma... I'm sure I'd love it today (just for memories) but I have no clue where it is.

11. Mail or email Christmas card?
Mail to those I've known since before the internet... e-mail to those far away who don't want a picture card of me & my sisters. (turned out SOOO good this year!)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I don't really have one that I HAVE to watch each year... but "Elf" has a special place in my heart (due to the Jedi)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I'm one of those dorks that shops all year, I even have a gift closet with an inventory on it... I'm never completely done, but it's a lot easier on the pocketbook this way.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
yes... usually holiday themed stuff (tea towels, candles, bath-stuff)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Used to be the sweets, stuff that only comes out at Christmas... but I can't think of anything that's not year round anymore... I guess I'll say all the baked goodies that family & friends exchange for the weeks leading up to the big day.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Either, as long as you pick one and stick to it... I really love the newer "rice lights", but the big fat bulbs remind me of when I was a little girl and mom & stepdad hang them on the outside...

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I have sooooo many, "My Favorite Things" & "Baby It's Cold Outside" are near the top, but I'm not sure either mentions Christmas... I love to sing traditional carols

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I've done both... as long as the end result is being with loved ones... I'm good

19. Can you name Santa's reindeers?
Dasher, Dancer, Donner, and Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Prancer... and ... um... Vixen???? Rudolph... and of course Olive the other Reindeer

20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star?
I honestly do not remember, I think it's an angel... but I could be wrong!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We used to open presents at Grandma & Grandpa's on Christmas Eve, and the rest on Christmas Morning... but the bestest part of our Christmas are the stockings Father Christmas brings... our family does the BEST stockings, and now that we're older, we all contribute... mom has bag's lined up that have our names on the year round and as we find small stuff we toss them in the bag... everyone contributes, and it's the best part of the whole holiday.

22. Most annoying thing(s) about this time of year?
This year, it's lack of money, hands down. No job since September 20th, sick since October 11th for over a month, no insurance, unemployment not paying for any of the time in the hospital... I'll let you do the math.