'Tis the Season

'Tis the Season to be....


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I liked wrapped presents with pretty foil paper and beautiful big bows and ribbon, but I HATE wrapping presents - ohmygosh I think that's probably about the worst thing about Christmas!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, they're pretty, and they never die, and they are much less messy and you always know what you're going to get! You can buy them just specifically the size you need for your space and you always know they are going to fit!

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving! Yep, me too Shan!

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day (while dad is watching football)

5. Do you like eggnog? No, it's funky!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I got a beautiful guitar and case from my folks! It had a beautiful golden wood front with a painted design around the hole. I loved it so much I was afraid something would happen to it and sure enough I think the very first day I had it I accidentally hit it on a door or something and put a little dent in it! :-D

7. Hardest person to buy for? The Big Randy. Everything he wants is really expensive, and he doesn't like anything that isn't fun for Christmas - so no clothes, socks or anything else he actually needs. He's still a little boy, just wants the toys!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Girls are always easy!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yep, I love it - it has touches of gold sparkly paint on it and little jewels. But, Shan, if you want a pretty nativity or something go to a Hallmark store - they have awesome stuff! I picked up the most beautiful ornament today at the Hallmark store for this sister in our ward that is really struggling with fibromyalgia and depression etc. and I heard that she collects nativity sets, so I found a nativity set ornament that is white porcelain and it's really kind of modern and beautiful! Hallmark has great things like that!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? None, actually. I think Christmas cards are one of those commercial things that people do that add so much stress to their lives and pressure. And I figure, hey, just keep in touch via email all through the year and then you won't feel the pressure of sending out cards! I never do!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Dad and I still laugh about the AWFUL silver and black party dress that he bought me our second Christmas. It was so awful I actually laughed and hurt dad's feelings!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love the grinch movie, but I also love the Charlie Brown Christmas one with the little stick tree - I think the music is nice!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? If I shop for Christmas earlier than November I always end up giving the gifts away before Christmas! I can't wait. So, unfortunately I'm stuck shopping the end of November 1st part of December and feeling all stressed!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Hmm, not really - I have occasionaly recycled a gift, but not often!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Amish Caramel Corn! I've been making batch after batch this weekend for gifts and actually made myself sick gorging on it yesterday so I think I'm done for awhile! Sheesh, don't know when I'll stop that binging thing I do once in awhile!!

16. Lights on the tree? Does anyone not do lights on their trees? White for sure. I definitely don't like colored lights. I think they are kind of tacky (but that's just me!)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Chelsea, I think the song you were trying to think of is "Breath of Heaven" by Amy Grant. It is a gorgeous song. I also love "Mary Did You Know" but I like the Kenny Rogers version better.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Normally I like to stay home because at least one or more of the kids come home for Christmas, but this year there won't be anyone home except dad and I and I was telling dad that if that is the way it's going to be from now on, we might want to think about maybe going to visit one of our kids for Christmas next year! I don't know if I can convince dad of that, though, because he likes to save all of his vacation for beaches (sheesh!) :-D I think it would be AWESOME though! This year dad and I are going to start some of our own traditions so we won't be too sad (even dad has been saying he feels a little sad that no one is coming home this year!). So, we are going to wake up Christmas Day and make a nice big breakfast, with pancakes, bacon, whatever, and then open our prsents, and maybe either watch a new DVD or go to the movies or something like that and I said that we should also get out and visit Granny and Grumpy and maybe some other people like us that are alone on Christmas! Of course, Lacey and Kelbs and the kiddies will come over, but they want to have Christmas morning with just their family, which is understandable!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen. Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. And of course Rudolph.


20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Gotta have an angel, heralding the birth of our Savior! I love my Angel but all of the lights have burned out. Still can't get rid of it though!

21. . Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I don't like opening a present onChristmas Eve but every year dad forces me to let everyone open a present! I pefer to open everything on Christmas Day!

22. what do you find annoying thing about this time of the year? I hate all of the rushing and stress and worry. I would love a peaceful Christmas and I know that half of the stress I cause myself! I mean why do I have to make stuff for 50 gazillion people every year! I could just as easily, and probably more cheaply spent a couple bucks a person and buy them a candle or ornament or something - yeah, maybe next year that's what I'll do!

23. What theme or color are you using? My tree is always white lights, blues and cranberrys and pinks, and silver. Matches my livingroom!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We do the noshing all day long, mini sandwiches thing. Gotta have cukes on my sammies though or it isn't as good! :-D

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to have all of my family home this year, or at least close by so we could at least see you on Christmas. I miss everyone. I wish my little Jacemeister could be here - I miss him so much!