Forest of the Plains

I'm a little behind, but as promised, here is that Christmas Meme that you've probably read a thousand times by now.

1) Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
(These are the rules). I actually was tagged twice - once online from Nora (how did she have time to do this with all her parties?), and via email from Shelley.

2) Share Christmas facts about yourself.
I love giving gifts and have a difficult time waiting for people to open their gifts. I've usually told John half of what he's getting before Christmas, and not because he asked!

3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
The holidays are over so I think I'll let this one rest.

4) Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Wrapping or gift bags?
Depends on the gift and how energetic I'm feeling. On a good day all presents are wrapped and have fancy bows on them.

2. Real or artificial tree?
My ideal is a real tree, but they don't cooperate with my allergies very well, so we settle for an artificial tree. This year I was standing beside some evergreens and was struck by the realization that they smelled like urine. I smelled several other evergreens in other locations on other days, and confirmed it. Yes, the smell of evergreens is right up there with roses and freshly cut grass - my least favorite smells!

3. When do you put up the tree?
My goal: The weekend after Thanksgiving.
Reality: The day before the first guests of December arrive.

4. When do you take the tree down?
The tree is required to stay up until Epiphany. I think it's sad that so many people take their decorations down before Christmas is really over. Enjoy the Blessed Occasion!

How long our tree stays up is often determined by when it went up. One year we didn't get the tree up until the week of Christmas, so it stayed up until Valentine's Day because I wanted to enjoy it.

This year our tree will not stay up that long because it's a pain keeping Jacob from pulling the whole thing down.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I had a sip once and could barely swallow it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't think I have a favorite gift. I do remember being very happily surprised to get a camera when I was in high school.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
We have several.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A few more people need to die before I answer this one in a public format!

A former coworker once got a half-used bottle of lotion from a client. That was pretty bad!

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. Though email does sound a lot easier. I'll have to think about that.

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
Not really.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Whenever I see something that strikes me. I'm buying gifts all year long.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? For breakfast?
I had some Dr Pepper and Cadbury chocolate balls for breakfast and thought of Cliff.

13. Clear lights or colored?
Colored lights for outside and clear for the tree. (Colored lights tend to clutter up a tree.)

14. Favorite Christmas song?
This year I've been enjoying The Chipmonks' "Christmas, Christmastime is here..." We used to have that on tape.

Our church has a tradition of singing a specific hymn in German, Nun Ist Sie Erschienen, throughout Advent.

Generally I have Silent Night going through my head at Christmas time in a jumbled mess of English, German, and Spanish. I'll sing part of a verse in one language, switch to another language to finish the verse, etc. It's different every time!

I also enjoy Rusty Chevrolet and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?
A little bit of both.

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
Um, I can sing it.

17. Angel or star on the top of your tree?
Either way works. We have a star this year.

18. Open your presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Neither. Open them at the earliest time that you can convince your husband to do so!

We generally do presents with John's family on Christmas Eve and our presents on Christmas Day.

While I generally support very early gift opening, I do insist that stockings can only be opened on Christmas Day. Come on, Santa can't fill them until you go to sleep on Christmas Eve!

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Crazy shoppers and those weird people who don't support Santa.

20. What do you leave for Santa?
I haven't left him anything before, but we have a special plate and cup for Santa that Jacob can help me fill next year! I can't wait! I also have a bag of straw that I put out for the reindeer each year. And we have a Magic Key to hang on the door so that Santa can come in, since we don't have a chimney.

21. Least favorite holiday song?
I don't remember specifics, but the Christmas Songs Only radio station had some real bad ones this year.

22. Do you decorate your tree with any specific theme or color?
No

23. Favorite ornament?
I have an ornament for each year of my life, and I really like the ones from birth to 3rd grade and the ones from John. But really, I like all of them as long as they don't have rodents.

24. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
See my answer to #8.

25. Easiest and most difficult people to buy for?
Easiest - Jacob. He doesn't even need a gift, just give him some empty boxes!
Most Difficut - John. He can't come up with gift suggestions for himself!