Christmas MeMe

I’m trying really hard this year to find my Christmas spirit. It appears to have gone missing although over the past couple weeks I’ve been trying really hard to find it. I stumbled upon this survey on Suzy Homemaker’s blog and decided to fill it out in hopes that it would generate some holiday giddiness. It didn’t work. Maybe I’ll find some on the drive to Connecticut next week. Anyway, here goes!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I usually prefer to wrap gifts, but a gift bag is good in a pinch. I’m a pretty good wrapper, though, so once I get rolling I sort of enjoy it.

2. Real tree or artificial? Gosh, this is a good one. I genuinely like real trees—we always had one growing up and they’re beautiful. However, I am now a lazy adult who likes the ease and cleanliness of an artificial tree. And also not having to cut it down (oh, who am I kidding, not forcing Brian to cut it down). In addition to our regular fake tree, we also have a fiber optic one my MIL gave us. It’s pretty!

3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving, as soon as I can convince Brian it’s a really good idea.

4. When do you take the tree down? We’re doing well if it’s down by Valentine’s Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes! But I’m super picky about the brand. My favorite is Hood Golden EggNog. They don’t sell it in the Midwest. Lucky for me, I’ll be in Connecticut for the holiday. Woot!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I really have no idea. I’ve blocked out quite a bit of my childhood. I would have to say that, if I received Nintendo for Christmas one year (I can’t remember if I did or not), it was my favorite gift ever. My parents soon came to regret its purchase after they allowed me to have both the TV and Nintendo in my room. One night (actually early morning) I got so mad playing one of the Super Mario Bros. games, I started stomping around. My parents’ room was directly under my room. The Nintendo was confiscated indefinitely. Incidentally, it was also while playing Nintendo that my (much older) brother realized I knew how to swear.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband, hands down. Guess it’s a good thing we don’t exchange gifts, huh?

8. Easiest person to buy for? Anyone who tells me what to buy them. That would be my mom and brother’s kids.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Negative

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Who e-mails Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A denim jacket with L.A. Gear printed on the back in pink sequins.

12. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My mom’s stuffed shrimp.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually a few days after Thanksgiving. I do pretty much all of it online since most of my family isn’t local.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeah, the L.A. Gear denim jacket.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom’s stuffed shrimp and my Aunt Penny’s rolls. Also, the blue cheese dip Helen makes (it’s not just a Christmas dish, but Christmas is one of the few times I’m home and it often makes an appearance).

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, preferably white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Go Tell It on the Mountain (the Jim Nabors version), O Holy Night and anything on the Once Upon a Christmas album (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We always had Christmas at our house when I was a kid, but since I’ve moved away we’ve traveled every year. Sometimes to Connecticut, sometimes to Wisconsin and sometimes here in Illinois.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Depends on what it looks like. I’ve had both.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We usually open them on Christmas morning, but my mom would throw me a bone every once in a while when I was a kid and let me open something Christmas Eve. Usually clothes. *sigh*

Now, what about YouYou? Do this Christmas MeMe and let me know about it!