Traditions

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper until the boys are big enough that the "joy" of tearing thru wrapping paper has worn off, then gift bags (hello EASIER).
2. Real tree or artificial? I'm torn. Growing up I always had fake trees and up until last year Stuart and I did too. Last year we bought a real one and it was awesome. Only 3 problems: 1) cleaning up needles, 2) putting the tree out for trash pick-up on the correct day and 3) the purchase of a new tree year after year.
3. When do you put up the tree? I start thinking about it during Thanksgiving. When the tree actually materializes is anyone's guess.
4. When do you take the tree down? Depends on how ready I am to un-Christmas-orize my house.
5. Do you like eggnog? Not particularly.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Since my birthday is 4 days before Christmas I'm having a hard time separating the two but I think my charm bracelet.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Stuart. Hands down.
8. Easiest person to buy for? The boys.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No and I want to steal my sisters.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!!! I LOVE sending out Christmas cards and I LOVE displaying received cards. Plus I take all the pictures and put them on my picture board for the year.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm, I honestly can't come up with anything.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas. I could sing to that all day long.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As soon as I realize that we have no gifts.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup.
15. Favorite thing to about Christmas? The season. The lights. The music. The decorations. The giving. The reminder of Jesus.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Staying home is so nice but traveling is a must to see family.
19. Can you name all of Santas' reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Doner, Blitzen, Rudolph. (totally just sang it to get them all)
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Depends on what I have-last year it was a bow.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. One present on Christmas eve and all the rest and ones from Santa Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Long lines at stores. (agree with 'ya Aubrey)
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Wow, so many things to choose from. I like the "traditional" and simple themes-all silver, all gold.
24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? Pistachio salad. Mmm.
25. What do you want to do for Christmas this year? For the boys to be happy.
26. Favorite Christmas tradition growing up? Waking up at crack-o-dawn-thirty, passing out gifts, opening presents together, having homemade cinnamon rolls, then curling up on the couch for a long winter's nap. Fantastic.
27. Favorite tradition now? Don't really have any traditions that we have started with the boys. Maybe next year?
28. Favorite Christmas Memory? Staying up late with my cousins on Christmas Eve and telling each other what we got. So fun. :)