Christmas Meme -- inspired by Tess at Arch Words


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate, made over the stove with nutmeg and cinnamon. A touch of Bailey's is appreciated as well!!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Wraps them, though the bows never seem to make it onto the gifts.

3. Colored Light on Tree/House or White?
We have white and red lights outside -- white icicles along the top of the house and red accents on the trees and deck. This is the first year we decorated the outside of our home and we're pretty happy with the way it turned out.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No mistletoe, we all just sneak the kisses.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Post baby, we've put them up within the last two weeks before Christmas. Trying to limit the exposure time to young hands and my two cats!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Growing up, we always has cinnamon buns on Christmas morning -- the pillsbury kind that come in a cylinder with the yummy, sticky icing.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
We spent each Christmas at my Grandma's house when I was growing up. My grandparents had a huge, open entrance hall, which was filled with a tree that must have been at least 15 feet tall. My mom had several brothers & sisters, so the house was full with family, hustle & bustle. I just remember being together and being surrounded by love & laughter (loud laughter, my grandma has a distinctive cackle!)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was around 8 and I remember telling my mom "Dad will really like those cookies" as we set them out on the table. She made me promise not to say anything to my brother and my one y/o sister.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
If we are seeing people on Christmas Eve that we won't see on Christmas, yes, we'll exchange/open gifts at that time. If not, we keep the suspense going to Christmas Day.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Our ornaments are a mix of gifted items received since we were married, a few nice ones that I picked up from Pier1 and several childhood items that were handed down/over to me.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?
Love it at first, for how pure & romantic it is. Love it if I'm skiing in it! Hate it when I have to drive or otherwise actually have to deal with it.

12. Can you ice skate?
I haven't ice-skated in years! I used to skate at the local rink on Friday nights when I was in Jr High School -- it really was more an excuse to chase the boys around on skates though!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I don't think I can say that I have a particular "favorite" Christmas gift. My husband did propose over New Year's though, so that is a favorite holiday season. Well, actually.. I do really like a down comforter a dear friend got for me a few years ago and a CD that another favorite friend got for me last year. I have great friends!

14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas to you?
First, being with my family and seeing John start to understand the faith we are embracing and celebrating. Secondly, trying to reconnect with friends and family with whom I lose track of during the year. It can even be the simple tradition of sharing Christmas cards and seeing how each other's children are growing, but hopefully it is a real person-to-person connection.

15. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I love God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, it has been a favorite since singing it in my childhood holiday concerts. Growing up, I had a bit of an alto voice (verse my soprano friends) and the low notes of the song suited me perfectly. My dad loved Drummer Boy, so that has become a favorite of mine as well.


I am tagging:
Mater at Bubblesplat