A Christmas Survey (Ho, Ho, Ho!)

Here are my responses to this Christmas Survey that one of my friends sent out to me the other day. Please feel free to email me back or post a reply with some of your answers it would be fun to know your experiences and thoughts.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both or neither.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake (fiber optic/COOL), we do not believe in cutting down a real tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? When we feel like it sometime before X-mas, this time it was shortly after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? When we take the time to, we try not to leave it up to long, the lasting effect of the holidays can linger a bit too much.
5. Do you like eggnog? YES, especially with some good rum or bandy in it!!!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My 2 foot tall "Aliens" (from the 80's movie) action figure doll. It had the double mouth thing in the back of it's elongated head that you could squeeze and make pop open. I slept with that for days. Yes I know creepy, but what can I say...I still wish I had that thing.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Extended family
8. Easiest person to buy for? My children
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a simple one.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both, I send out about 125 mailed, and at least 150 emailed. Some people get both. With a page long year long family letter.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The year 1999, the Christmas that fell after my mother and grandmothers passing on the 15th and 16th of that December.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "It's a wonderful life" I cry every time I see it, "A Christmas Story" a modern classic, "Christmas Vaccation (1989) just love Chevy Chase, "Scrooged" (1988) a newer version of the famous Scrooge tale.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? No sooner then I have to. I am not a "shopper". I don't like being out with all the people, or crowds. Sometimes I get things done soon other years I am late, like the day before.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes for white elephant gift games.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I have fond memories of the tamales at our family events as a child. I have always enjoyed turkey too.
16. Lights on the tree. Yes, one strand of red to highlight the ornaments, with a fiber optic tree you get so much light already, less is more.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Little Drummer Boy" the version with Bing Crosby and David Bowie.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Would love to be able to travel more, but with Glenn's work have needed to stay nearby lately.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, " You know...Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixon... Comet, and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen... but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all... Rudolph the red nosed reindeer..."
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? As a kid the gifts from family Christmas Eve party were opened then, Santa's presents opened on X-mas day. Now with children all are opened on Christmas day.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the shopping people are compelled to do. Commercialism!!! The "give me toys" attitudes of the children who want, this or that. EEeeeK!
23. What theme or color are you using? My theme is to think about what you can give this year to others and not about buying and getting expensive stuff. I love the colors green and purple and it does not matter if my wrapping paper matches.
24. What will be your favorite thing to eat for Christmas dinner? I don't know, as I have not planned what I am going to make for the meal. I will make something that I enjoy eating for that day, it usually is some food that is not on my normal meal plan,(ie. pumpkin soup, artichokes).
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A chance to teach my children to give to others, and appreciate what they do have, to teach about the other cultural celebrations for this time of year and to have a nice simple day with my family on Christmas.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Same a response to #27
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? I have no idea, I think those who have time will those who are busy won't. I would love to hear what anyone else has to share. Have a blessed holiday season.