Getting to Know Me--Christmas Edition

Welcome to the Christmas/Holiday edition of getting to know me.

I was visiting Jennifer at Through the Storms of Life. She had this posted, and I thought I would share a little of my Christmas with you.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I use both with ribbons, bows, and tags made from Christmas cards received in previous years.

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have had both--artificial for quite a while due to allergies of various family members. But, everyone seems to have outgrown them (including me!), so we have switched back to a live tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? Not until December 22 or 23 when my youngest daughter arrives home from Texas, and then all three children decorate the tree together.

4. When do you take the tree down? Not until the middle of January!! We put it up late, so we leave it up a little longer than most in order to enjoy it.

5. Do you like egg nog? Not really.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My "Beth" doll from "Little Women". I received this the Christmas after my father died, and I still have this doll.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes--one in the living room and one on the dining room table.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My son, Andrew--though he made it very easy for me this year. He has decided that instead of presents for himself he would prefer that donations be made to charities in his name. This is a whole new experience for him, and I was pleasantly surprised.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Either of my daughters. They like basically anything.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I do both.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't really remember a Christmas gift that I haven't liked or appreciated.

12. Favorite Christmas movie(s)? When my family used to get together for Christmas, we watched "Christmas Vacation" every year. I'm not much of a movie watcher. I did see "The Nativity", and I like that a lot.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I make almost all of my Christmas presents, so I really should start in January!! I've gotten a late start this year, and I'm pushing myself to finish.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? At my work, we have a Christmas luncheon. Everyone brings something in that they no longer want, wrapped as a present. Our supervisor reads a story called "The Right Family", and the presents are passed around the table--right, right, left, right, left--according to what is said in the story. You just never know what you're going to end up with. It's not really recycling a present but done in fun.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Turkey and stuffing--although one year we did have lasagne!

16. Clear or colored Christmas lights? Colored lights that don't blink.

17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Silent Night, Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Sleigh Ride and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We used to travel, but this year will be the first that we will be staying home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph if the weather is bad!

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

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The commercialism--people forgetting what we are truly celebrating.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have a favorite ornament. My tree is decorated with ornaments that I've given my children every year since they were born and ornaments that they have given me since they've been older. They are all special and each have their own individual meaning and memories.

24. Favorite dinner for Christmas? Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn, sauerkraut and apple pie.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Resolution of differences within my family.

26. Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays? If yes, what? I used to bake a lot--not so much anymore. I usually make spice cookies, chocolate chip cookies and Christmas candy cane breads for breakfast Christmas morning (recipe below).

27. Do you decorate different room of your home? Usually only the living room and dining room.

28. What decorations do you put outside? I live in an apartment, so I only put a wreath on the door.

29. How do you spend Christmas Eve? I usually spend the day at work, then to church in the evening with friends, my children and their friends. Then back to my place where we have a little get together with my children and their friends--appetizer-type foods. This is part of my Christmas present to them.

30. Is Christmas your favorite holiday? I do love Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior, spending time with my children. But, when I think about this, Easter should be the bigger holiday--celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

Feel free to copy this and post it on your blog. Share the Christmas fun with your readers, too. I love to read about others' Christmas traditions--maybe start some new ones of my own!!