Getting to Know You -

[aravis227 1]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both...it depends on what shape the gift is

2. Real tree or Artificial? Neither right now because we're hoping to move before Christmas. Normally artificial because real trees give me a rash.

3. When do you put up the tree? The Middle-ish of December

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after New Year's...basically when we get tired of it.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes...I think I'm going to get uppity and make it for the first time this year

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Otis...a bald Cabbage Patch Kid that I dragged around everywhere with me. He's had to have both arms and a leg sewn back on and had a black spot on his forehead from where we had matching band-aids when I was little.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My 19-year-old brother...he's impossible!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No...we're looking for one that we really like

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A CD when I was in high school...it was a great CD, but I received it three times at the same Christmas.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...it's a tradition in my family, I always teased my mom about it when I was a kid, but the older I get, the more I appreciate it.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually I end up agonizing over the perfect gifts until the last minute

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Cookies...my mom and I both go over-board with the baking, so you can usually find at least three different types of cookies at each of our houses throughout Christmas.

16. Lights on the tree? Yup! I love Christmas lights

17. Favorite Christmas songs: O Holy Night, Good King Wenceslas, the "Welcome Christmas" song that the Who's sing in the animated version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home...my youngest brother is 13 (there are 17 years between the oldest and youngest in my family...the youngest two were adopted 10 years ago)

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yup! Years of singing "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" in elementary school paid off.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? When I was young we always took a Snow Day the first time we had enough snow to go sledding...my mom would let us stay home from school and we would go to the park.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? We've always had an angel

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We always open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How EARLY Christmas seems to start. Carols on the radio the day after Halloween...ugh!

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? "Family Eclectic"...which is my term for my mom's tree...almost every ornament has a memory and a lot of them are traditionally put up by a certain person. The first time I was at my mom's house after she had put up her tree she had a whole tray of ornaments that she had saved for me to put up because they are mine. She still has the popsicle stick and pasted on magazine cut-out ornament that I made in 1986 and the plastic Xmas tree my older brother made around the same time. It's really fun to look at the ornaments and reminisce.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Dessert I know it's not a specific food...but I love the desserts.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? A house!

[trailmix 77]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both - mostly wrapping though.

2. Real tree or Artificial? White and artificial, i'm pondering buying a prelit palm tree this year.

3. When do you put up the tree? Midish December

4. When do you take the tree down? Boxing Day

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes

6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many, but I guess my Tom and Jerry doll, I still have Tom (jerry was attached to his hand but he took off)!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Husband, he's not really in to anything except expensive electronics lol

8. Easiest person to buy for? everyone else

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, this year I am going to buy the cards from an artist at our local farmer's market, I should have picked them up this past weekend, but just thought of it!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received Coffee table book about the Pope.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Don't really have one

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes I shop for months, this year I am doing it right now.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, all clear lights - although sometimes I change it up and make them all pink or throw in a few blue.

17. Favorite Christmas songs: I like quite a few, don't really have a favorite

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home, although we are pondering going to the beach this year.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? No

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Nothing.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? I had an angel up there for a long time, now I usually do a bow.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds at the stores, which is why I do all my shopping online now.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like white and gold or white and silver on the white tree, just like it to glitter and be interesting.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Jelly Salad

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Can't think of anything.

Edited December 1, 2008 by trailmix

[thetreble 19]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper just looks so much prettier.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I love the smell of a real tree...but when you have pets it's not a good idea.

3. When do you put up the tree? After American Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? When I feel like it I guess...early January.

5. Do you like eggnog? No! Can't even stand the concept. Gross.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My parents were great and we received so much stuff as kids. My first pair of good skates..Bauer 2000s.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mum, actually. She never wants anything.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My oldest brother because he always tells me what he wants..and it usually ends up costing me!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm sure there were a few I didn't like. My god mother always used to get me strange clothes.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? CLAMATION CHRISTMAS! This has been my favourite since it's birth and we still watch it every christmas on DVD.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I get bits here and there. But luckily both of my families aren't big on gifts now that we are older so I don't have to get much.

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

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Turkey. My mum makes a great turkey.

16. Lights on the tree? Of course! I love those artificial trees that already have them built in too.

17. Favorite Christmas songs: All I want for Christmas is You -Mariah Carey...Also, anything by the California Raisins.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Always back to Canada, whether my husband comes with me or not.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Of course. I learned that also from the California Raisins.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Don't know..all I know is one of my favourite things to do in life is Christmas Day when I spend all day sitting around with my family...shooting the breeze. It makes me realize how fortunate I am.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angelllll

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning!

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Mass consumerism that leads people into debt. Even in times of financial hardship, when people are struggling to put a roof over their heads, they are still buying stuff because someone has put it into their heads that they have to.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? My mum has had these birds she puts on the tree. Since I was born she has had them and still uses them. They are red cardinals. Just gives me a pleasant memory when I think of them.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Duh..turkey.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing but to be in my new house!

[Gypsyangel 11]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both + I looooove cute gift tags.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I love real, but I was in a condo for four years and they didn't allow real, so I had to get fake. This year it will be real!

3. When do you put up the tree? A couple of weeks before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? It stays up until the needles start falling off. Last year with my fake tree, I think I left it up most of Jan. Oops!

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it. I like the new soy versions too, especially with rum.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Easy Bake Oven! Oh, and also skis.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? Me. I tend to buy things for myself when I'm out shopping. Very dangerous.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither. I've just never been able to do them. Maybe this year because I'm so far away.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Pink big t-shirt pajamas with a picture of a huge white cat that covered the whole t-shirt. Plus matching pink socks with separate places for each toe and kitty paw print grip things on the bottom. I was 38 at the time. I guess our Moms never see us as grown ups! (Note: I do love my cats both past and present, but that was too much for me!)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? I don't really have one, though I like the TV versions of the Grinch and Charlie Brown.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I always think I'm early when I start, but I never am and it's a scramble.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No .

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Shortbread cookies.

16. Lights on the tree? One of the most beautiful things about Christmas

17. Favorite Christmas songs: Merry Christmas Baby, by Bruce Springsteen

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Mostly travel. As an adult, I think I've slept in my own bed only 3 times on Christmas Eve. It'll be 4 after this year!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Probably!

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Ice Wine Martinis on Christmas Eve! Mmmmm.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning (maybe one on Christmas eve)

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Buying something and then seeing it on sale closer to Christmas.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? I'm a sucker for shiny sparkly objects.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Stuffed squash (I'm a vegetarian). Cookies.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? For the stupid car insurance company to keep insuring me, even though I don't have my green card yet. I need to get around so I can buy presents!

[carslo 0]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artifical the last 8 years or so. Hate the needles in the carpet

3. When do you put up the tree? First week end in December

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog? In small doses, Starbuck's egg nog lattes are good too.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Creepy Crawler - bug making kit were you cooked the goop in a special appliance.

7. Hardest person to buy for? No one

8. Easiest person to buy for? Granddaughter - Kaitlyn

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, made of olive wood from Bethlehem.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Email and mail to those without email

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Tacky lingere from first husband.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? The aminated Grinch

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Butter tarts

16. Lights on the tree? Lots - one year coloured, the next clear

17. Favorite Christmas songs: Oh Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? 74% home, 24% other family, once in Texas

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? For sure

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Beef fondue on Christmas Eve

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning (maybe one on Christmas eve)

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialization of Christmas

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? The cermaic decoration my Mum (who is passed) made

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Traditional turkey dinner

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Can I have my NOA2 please! I have been a good girl.

[warlord 73]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrap

2. Real tree or Artificial? Neither

3. When do you put up the tree? Never, don't have a Tree

4. When do you take the tree down? See above

5. Do you like eggnog? Hell yeah with rum

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I can't remember that far back

7. Hardest person to buy for? Only buy for my wife, so she's pretty easy.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Wife

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither, I don't send any out.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Underwear or dress pants as a kid

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Serendipity. Ok not a Christmas movie, but takes place around then.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I used to shop on my road trips all through the year, now I just do it whenever

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Turkey and dressing

16. Lights on the tree? No tree, no lights

17. Favorite Christmas songs: None, I hate them all

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Always stay at home, need to visit Canada and Georgia though for the parents one of these years.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dumbass, Dumby, Dorky, Dweeby, uh no.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Always go to Vegas for New Years, this year probably just LA instead.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? No angels, no stars, no tree

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the christmas songs in every public place.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? We did beer caps once when I was in college where I lived. Glued them together and hung them. Another year my idiot roomate/friend did a computer theme and covered the tree in freaking electronic computer parts. Lame.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Turkey and Dressing and Rum and Eggnog

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Wife is banging her head because I don't have anything I want. Probably just to get off for New Years to California...

[BH45 0]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?Wrapping paper normally but if I get to go to Ontario for Christmas, this year will be gift bags

2. Real tree or Artificial? None - this year.

3. When do you put up the tree? When I put up a tree, it will go up a week before Christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day

5. Do you like eggnog? No

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Black and White Panda bear

7. Hardest person to buy for? No one

8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but it won't be put up this year

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ????

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Bells of St Mary's - Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? September on.....

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No .

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Butter tarts

16. Lights on the tree? Most definitely

17. Favorite Christmas songs: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas; Carol of the Bells; O Holy Night; Do You Hear What I Hear, Let It Be Christmas and Unto You This Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Now that I'm living here, I'll probably be travelling most years

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? ........

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the ads on tv aimed at children telling them to buy this, buy that . . .

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and gold

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Home made stuffing

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? To be with my daughter, hubby and family

[Carlawarla 1]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but think I've moved on to more bags as the years go by...

2. Real tree or Artificial? Have had both, but last several years it's been real.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually first weekend of December.

4. When do you take the tree down? When I feel like it. Usually the first weekend after the new year.

5. Do you like eggnog? Oh my gosh...NO, ick!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A record player

7. Hardest person to buy for? No one

8. Easiest person to buy for? Everyone

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I gave mine to my kids

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? some glittery house shoes, that were about size 10 when I was a child. The toes curled up and they had glitter all over them, leather bottoms that slid all over. Something like Alladin would wear. My Godmother gave me this gift.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Oh my...I have too may favourites, but if I had to pick ONE, I'd say Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (the one with Burl Ives as Sam the snowman).

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? All year round.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Too many things, why do I have to pick just one???

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, definitely.

17. Favorite Christmas songs: I love SO many! Hmmm, O Holy Night I guess is my favourite. I made myself a CD a few years ago of my favorite artists singing O Holy Night. It was beautiful.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We've stayed home here in St. Louis two Christmas' now. It's quite wonderful just the two of us.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Maybe it's not non-traditional but we eat seafood on Christmas Eve.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Well, I grew up with a star, and in Canada always had a star. Gene's family always had an Angel, and he does too, so that's what we have now.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialism.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? Two ceramic loons (representing Gene and I)

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Christmas morning brunch with Polish sausage included.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want for nothing.

Edited December 1, 2008 by Carlawarla

[thetreble 19]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?Wrapping paper normally but if I get to go to Ontario for Christmas, this year will be gift bags

I already wrapped some of my gifts that I'm going to Ontario with. I did think about this before I wrapped them but for all the times I've worried about this, they have never given a ####### at the border. I'm tired of using giftbags

Edited December 1, 2008 by thetreble

[SonoranSongbird 3]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Usually gift bags, partly because they are easier to reuse than wrapping paper, and partly because most gifts look much better in them than wrapped by me.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

This year, none. Normally artificial. Easier on our allergies, better for the environment, easier on my carpet.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Weekend after New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?

You mean gagnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

I can't remember! For some reason, the most memorable gift was the inflatable Santa I got when I was 6 years old and demanded that my parents prove to me there really was a Santa Claus and they tried that so I would not spill the beans to my younger sister.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

No one is hard to buy for---you can always fall back on the old standards: books or booze. The one that is maybe a bit tricky is my boss, just because I usually come up with more personalized books for my other two coworkers than I come up with for her.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My friend's 6-year-old daughter. I LOVE buying children's books! Although our teenage nieces tell us what to get them, so that is obviously very easy as well.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Can’t think of any–except maybe the inflatable Santa (see #6).

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

A Christmas Story. That’s the one no Christmas is complete without for me.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Meh, haven’t started yet.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

No !

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Stuffing!!!!!

16. Lights on the tree?

Yes!

17. Favorite Christmas songs:

”Oh, Holy Night,” especially the second verse. The lyrics are “Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease,” which I have always found very moving..

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Travel.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Not off hand.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays?

From my family: seeing a movie on Christmas Day and having home made French onion soup on New Year’s Day. My Dad used to make it while watching a football game (I think one of the Bowl games). His is much better than mine. From my husband’s family: going out for Indian food on Boxing Day,

21. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Neither.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Evening.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Crowds at the stores and on the roads anywhere remotely near a store. Also, while I love Christmas carols, a lot of other Christmas music is actually pretty grating.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color?

Silvery colored ornaments and lights.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

Stuffing. Yum!!

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

My husband’s green card. Err, I can think of a few other things, but none that are particularly wholesome.

[SapphireDreams 71]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?Wrapping paper normally but if I get to go to Ontario for Christmas, this year will be gift bags

I already wrapped some of my gifts that I'm going to Ontario with. I did think about this before I wrapped them but for all the times I've worried about this, they have never given a ####### at the border. I'm tired of using giftbags

You should be fine. I always wrap the gifts I bring over. They usually just ask what gifts I'm bringing and I say, clothes or chocolates or whatever and they say no problem. Maybe just hang on to the receipts in case they want to see them, and if you have to re-wrap it wouldn't be so bad! Good luck.

[CHD 0]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

- Wrapped packages allow for so much more creativity than the bags do, and I'm all about the presentation.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

- Artificial. No fuss, no mess, and the newer models look fabulous.

3. When do you put up the tree?

- Whenever the itch comes on. I've had it up as early as November 1st and as late as a week before Christmas. I really do need to set a tradition here.

4. When do you take the tree down?

- Whenever I need the space/have the energy/realize its just plain embarrassing to admit that I still have it up.

5. Do you like eggnog?

- Yup

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

- When I was 5 my brother won a giant 6ft Christmas stocking filled with tons of toys, and in it was a cabbage patch kid named Marcie that he was more than happy to give me. Whenever anyone commented on, touched, or even looked at that doll in the first year I would say "My bother gave that to me."

7. Hardest person to buy for?

- My mother in law. I adore the woman...but picky tastes, that one.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

- My mother. If it has a snowman on it, then she'll use it and love it...even if she has 5 others just like it.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

- Newp

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

- Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

- One year my grandmother thought it would be a good idea to give all the grandkids underwear for Christmas. I'm sorry, but wearing skivvies given by Gramma after your age is no longer a single digit is just...weird.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

- The Muppets Christmas Carol

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

- I first bought a Christmas present for someone with my own money when I was 13, and that day just happened to be the first snowfall of the year. A tradition was born: when I see snowflakes, I hit the mall.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

- No. But I'm pretty easy to shop for.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

- Candy canes

16. Lights on the tree?

- Are there really lightless Christmas trees out there?

17. Favorite Christmas songs:

- I don't even know what its called, but the one that the Charlie Brown Christmas special opens with.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

- Anything that reminds me

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

- Of course

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays?

- Its kinda post-Christmas (still the holiday season though), but on New Year's Eve my family has always ordered chinese food at about 10pm while we watched Times Square on TV

21. Angel on the tree top or a star?

- Depends on what works with the ornament theme of the year.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

- My family always did Christmas morning. My husband's always did Christmas Eve. We have compromised on 1 or 2 on Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

- The stores being out of stock on everything that is even remotely desirable

24. Favorite ornament theme or color?

- My preferences vary. I actually have a vast collection of ornaments in all colors, and each year I pick a combination of 2 or 3 shades that appeal to me to run with.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

- Stuffing

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

- An IR-1 visa!

[Autumnchik 6]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Gift bags - otherwise, I use about a roll of Scotch tape on each gift to try to hide the jagged edge of wrapping paper that I half cut, half tore off the roll .... not a pretty sight!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Has to be real. My father grew trees so growing up, I never had to pay for a tree. It kills me to pay the prices trees are nowadays, but it has to be real.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Whenever hubby and I are motivated to do it.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Whenever more of the tree is brown than green.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Yummy!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A Holly Hobby oven.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My dad because he always buys himself whatever he needs and wants, so come Christmastime, there is nothing left to buy him. This year though, I think I'll give him a framed picture of his new (and only) grandchild.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My husband.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Nope.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

[b] Neither, because I am the world's best procrastinator. I start out with good intentions and buy a package of cards every year, then put off addressing them until a few days before Christmas, when I panic and realize the date and then just figure I'll hold onto the cards and mail them next year ... only to repeat the same process again. Having a baby might actually prompt me to actually mail cards, since we are planning to take Declan to have his pic taken with Santa and then we will use that for cards.[/b]

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

When I was in college, I was Little Ms. Punk and wore all black and combat boots. My high school friend gave me a very preppy pink sweater and told me I should put more color into my wardrobe.

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the animated version

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Well, as the Queen of Procrastination, some years it has been on Christmas Eve. I have been getting better as I get older and start in early December!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Nope, because I worry that I accidentally might recycle it with the original gift giver.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Italian pastries

16. Lights on the tree?

Of course! Do you think I'm a heathen?

17. Favorite Christmas songs:

Jingle Bell Rock.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Depends on the year. Often travel to CT to be with my family. This year, hubby really wants to spend Declan's first Christmas in our house, so we will stay in NH.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Ummmm ...... nope. Just tried. Darn, I used to be good at it.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays?

Have a big meal on Christmas Eve and then just eat the leftovers on Christmas Day.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

If it were up to me, the gifts would be opened on Christmas Eve afternoon or even a couple of days before. What can I say, sometimes I read the ends of books first too. But hubby reins me in and we open our stockings on Christmas Eve and then the rest of the gifts in the morning.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

This is not annoying, but challenging. Holidays can be very stressful for people, and this time of year, crises with clients tend to increase, which means I am working a lot, doing a lot of crisis intervention and am usually dead tired by the time Christmas rolls around.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color?

My mom gave me all the ornaments she had when I was a child. My husband especially loves putting up the homemade ornaments I made as a kid - gotta love gold painted macaroni decorating paper wreaths!

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

For Christmas Eve, we always celebrated with my mom's side of the family, who are Italian. So we do the Feast of the 7 Fishes ... although, over the years, the celebrations got smaller as relatives moved away, etc., so now we just do our favorites and definitely don't have 7 fishes. We usually make an antipasto, linguine with clam sauce, some sort of shrimp dish, stuffed sole and stuffed clams. We have Italian pastries for dessert.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

For my husband to find a job. Even better would be a job he enjoys. Also, for my son to recover easily from his upcoming surgery (this one is fairly minor) and to never have any health problems from the last (major) surgery. And if that isn't demanding enough, I really would love a nice vacation somewhere warm!!!

Edited December 2, 2008 by autumnchik

[Autumnchik 6]

I also want for Christmas to be able to use the Bold feature properly, cuz apparently I don't know how to now

[DeadPoolX 9]

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Neither. I have a menorah.

3. When do you put up the tree? I don't.

4. When do you take the tree down? I can't take it down if I never had it up.

5. Do you like eggnog? No, it tastes like vomit (only far less chunky).

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Transformer called "Jetfire" back in 1985.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad and my in-laws.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My wife and my brother.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't recall, but it was probably something from my aunt and uncle.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Trading Places.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I start shopping for Hanukkah at various times, since it's never the same date.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can recall...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Usually it's "Hanukkah Geld," but recently I've taken a liking to my mother-in-law's shortbread cookies.

16. Lights on the tree? No tree, therefore, no lights.

17. Favorite Christmas songs? "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and "It's Christmas at Ground Zero."

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? It depends on airline availability, cost and what's happening during that time of year.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Sure! They are: Rudolph, Donatello, Blitzkrieg, Snagglepuss, Pikachu, Bambi, Scooby, Keith Richards and Skeletor.

20. What is a non-traditional tradition you do for the holidays? Roast marshmallows over the menorah.

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither.

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? On Hanukkah, my family had us open all the gifts in the morning when we were young, but as we got older (and the presents more expensive), we opened one every night.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How celebratory Christmas ads and items make their appearance before Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) has even commenced.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? Blue and white.

25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? Who cares about food? Let's open some gifts!

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? I'd like... um... I don't know. But I'll think of it in time for Hanukkah.