Grabbing the Christmas spirit with both hands

So the beautiful and gracious Natalie posted this over on her blog and I thought I’d follow suit. Since I’ve received this same survey in several e-mails, I’m guessing it’s high time I actually answer it! 🙂

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Well, both, depending on the gift and the level of exhaustion when I’m wrapping it. I do wrap gifts for different places in different colors. This year, Nashville is the white and silver, Bernie is all shades of red, and Perkins will be blue with snowflakes.

2. Real tree or Artificial? My new-to-me-Mama-donated 7.5 foot artificial prelighted tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? I like to do it right after Thanksgiving. Usually, though, since I go to Missouri for Thanksgiving and want to return to a house that’s full of Christmas, I decorate BEFORE Thanksgiving, even though it goes against every fiber of my being.

4. When do you take the tree down? As soon as I get back to Nashvegas after Christmas, definitely before New Year’s

5. Do you like eggnog? Gross. And here in the South, they drink something called boiled custard. I don’t know what that is. I won’t try it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmm, probably my Barbie Dream House or Cabbage Patch Kid (Beverly).

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep. It’s one my Grandma Ruby painted back in the ’80s. So it’s special AND HUGE!

8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad. I don’t know what to get him. He needs a hobby!

9. Easiest person to buy for? This year, no one. Usually my brother, though.

10. Mail or E-Mail Christmas Cards? Christmas cards. . . I didn’t even attempt it this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I haven’t really gotten a terrible one that I can remember. I do remember not liking it a few years ago when my mother wrapped up a children’s book for me titled The Girl Who Refused to Get Married.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas, hands down. I also enjoy Elf. Though Kelly will probably kill me for admitting this, I don’t think I’ve ever watched It’s a Wonderful Life! all the way through. I know, I should.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? when the Christmas bonus goes live in my bank account. This year it was Dec. 7. Seriously

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I’m sure I have.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies, my mom’s homemade bread, Christmas morning breakfast.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear all the way.

17. Favorite Christmas song? “Labor of Love” by Andrew Peterson

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, travel, travel.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? Maybe when I’m singing that one Christmas song.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star. It’s new this year.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning! Last year my mom wanted to change it to Christmas Eve and I vetoed it.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Traffic in the Cool Springs area.

23. Favorite ornament theme or Color? red!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? a great home cooked meal with my family

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Tougher penalties for parole violaters. And world peace.