Christmas meme-ing

Several versions of this have been making the rounds in blogland so it's time I played along.




1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
until recently, only wrapping paper, but gift bags are looking better and better every year, especially for those odd-shaped gifts

2. Real tree or artificial?
for years we did real, but I got real tired of the mess so now we have a pre-lit artificial tree

3. When do you put up the tree?
sometime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down?
usually the first weekend after New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog?
I do, with a splash of rum and sprinkle of nutmeg

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
hmmmm, probably because I remember it most, a grocery store set with little boxes and cans of food and stuff - totally loved it!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
that would be hubby dear, unless it's clothes

8. Easiest person to buy for?
my granddaughter - soooo easy!

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
yes, actually two, but the one I use most has cute, child-like figurines

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
preferably mail, but sometimes email comes in right handy...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
that would seem ungrateful now, wouldn't it??

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
the original Christmas Carol... or It's A Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping?
I try to shop throughout the year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so - kinda tacky unless it was an heirloom or something

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I like it all, but probably the sweet stuff best

16. Clear or colored lights on the tree?
colored, but I'd like to try clear sometime

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night

18. Least favorite holiday song?
Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer (stupidest song ever!)

19. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
both - this year we'll be home

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

21. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
yes, though I often forget poor Dasher

22. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning - Christmas Eve just doesn't seem right

23. Favorite ornament?
hmmm - probably the one I call "mama bear" - a white and red flocked bear with a lacy red front; it looks especially pretty next to a red/pink light

24. Do you have an ornament theme or color?
not really a planned theme, though our tree is kind of sugarplum-ish with lots of toys and sugary sweet things

25. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
the overwhelming commercialism and advertising that starts before Halloween now.