Christmas Meme

This came from RoanokeRNR, who invited people to take it so I can't say I stole it like the Grinch. I think this is more like Santa stealing into Sombre Town so the Burger Meister wouldn't catch him a la Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I actually use both. This year I wrapped most things but there are other years when it all ends up in a gift bag.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial because I'm allergic to pine and cedar. One year we went through three real trees before we figured out we'd better just go to Sears and buy an artificial one.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Anytime after Thanksgiving. This year I had to wait until hunting season (rifle - deer) was over.

4. When do you take the tree down?
I have taken it down immediately after Christmas but generally try to wait until after January 1. There is some superstition about taking the tree down too early ... it brings bad luck or something ...

5. Do you like egg nog?
Not particularly. In this house we prefer boiled custard.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A wooden rocking chair.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My in-laws both tie for first place. I never know what to get either one of them.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My husband. I generally know what to get him.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Both. I mail out a lot of cards and I also send email cards to a few people, mostly people I only know via the internet.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A vacuum. We needed a vacuum but it wasn't a very good thing to receive for Christmas.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
I can't decide between It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. I like them both.

13. When do you start shopping?
In September. That's the ideal, anyway. Some years it doesn't work out quite like that and it is more like December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes, and that is all I'm going to say about that.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Chocolate covered cherries followed by fudge as a close second.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes, multi-colored ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I am not sure I have a favorite. I like them all depending on my mood. If I have to pick one, I vote for O Holy Night.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Stay home. I have never been anywhere but in the Roanoke Valley over Christmas. Sometimes I travel to a relatives house but they all live here so I am not going very far. Just once I would like to spend Christmas someplace else. Williamsburg or Disney in Florida, maybe.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Comet Cupid Donner Blitzen. And Rudolph. I can also recite a good portion of The Night Before Christmas from memory. And roll my tongue. But I can't wiggle my ears.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
When we were children my brother and I were allowed to open our present from one another on Christmas Eve. The rest were ripped open with vengeance on Christmas morning. These days we do the Christmas Day thing. No early opening for me anymore.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
That it starts so early. The stores push it too soon and I was not happy when one of the radio stations started playing carols a week before Thanksgiving. Let's get one holiday over before we start the next one!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
My favorite ornament says "First Christmas Together" and we've had it since we married. I love Santa Mouse and have a lot of little Santa Mouse ornaments on the tree. My favorite Santa Mouse in my house is one my friend Brenda gave me several years ago. My most favorite belongs to my parents, though.

24. Favorite Christmas memory?
My brother running into my room and waking me up at 3 a.m. whispering "Santa Claus came, get up!" Santa always left toys under the tree for us, unwrapped and waiting.

I also have a fond memory of the year I turned five and received a blue bicycle. A Batgirl doll was sitting on the seat when I arrived in the room.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Peace on Earth.

If I can't have that, then I would like to instantaneously lose a lot of weight.

And if I can't have that, then I would like several good books to read.