What Christmas Memes to Me

As we are preparing to be out of town for the holidays and I don't know how much posting I'll be able to get done, I decided to leave everyone with a bit of reading. Adrian and I each completed a Christmas survey so that you can get to know our holiday traditions. Adrian's is forthcoming... as soon as I can push him to finish it. For now, mine.


1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Grande decaf nonfat White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha, but with whip. The skim and whip cancel each other out, right?

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? Puts them out to be found on Christmas morning but not necessarily under the tree.

3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? White on tree; Either on house as long as they're straight.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Not recently. I don't have to trick Adrian into kissing me.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually the day after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Bubbleloaf- otherwise known as Monkey Bread (It doesn't count as dessert if I eat it for breakfast, right?)

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Decorating the tree ornament by ornament with my whole family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? When I was 12-ish, my parents realized I still believed and wasn't just playing along for Austin's sake. They had to set me down and break it to me. Needless to say, there were lots of tears, numerous questions (What about the toothfairy?), and even a desire to finally touch the sacred elf.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Absolutely NOT.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Perfectly! Adrian thinks I'm a Christmas tree Nazi because I like everything coordinated.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love, love, love it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, if the skates fit.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? It was a kitty litter scoop. I was really hoping to get a cat that year but was disappointed to find a pooper scoop. Of course, Santa has actually had to put my gift in the bathroom in order to avoid any kitty showdowns. That year I received my Boo cat.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family. That's why (for now) we travel so far.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Sugar cookies.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? The Elf.

17. What tops your tree? A snowflake engraved with the words, "Our First Christmas Together 2001"

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Honestly... receiving unless I really perform well and locate the perfect gift for someone. Giving is so stressful.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas".

20. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping because part of the gift is in the presentation.

21. Real tree or artificial? I love the smell of the real but being able to move the branches of the artificial so every ornament is perfectly spaced is too hard to resist for a tree Nazi like me.

22. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving

23. When do you take the tree down? Day after Christmas or sometimes before Christmas because we're gone until after New Year's.

24. Do you like eggnog? Maple View Farms eggnog is divine.

25. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, my grandfather made sure that all his grandkids had a beautiful set-up and we even have a Fisher-Price one for Linus.

26. Hardest person to buy for? My sister-in-laws because living in NC, I haven't gotten to know them as well as I'd like but I want to please them.

27. Easiest person to buy for? Um, my husband because he has a l-o-n-g list of wants constantly updated and available throughout the year.

28. Worst Christmas gift ever received? 100 dollar bill because then I had to figure out what to get and that's too much pressure for me.

29. Mail or E-mail Christmas card? Mail. Email is okay and it's better than nothing.

30. Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th Street (original version)

31. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Thanksgiving because by nature I'm an organized procrastinator.

32. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, because I feel guilty pawning crap off on other people.

33. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We travel now but there are no guarantees for the future.

34. Can you name Santa’s reindeer? Yes, and I even know that #7 is Donder not Donner.

35. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Christmas radio stations with painfully short playlists.