Gone away is the bluebird...

Stole this from Heather, who stole this from Erin, hehe.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Um, have to say...gift bags. Yes, I know this is cheating, but I was never patient enough as a child to learn how to wrap gifts REALLY well. Mine usually have lumps in them and lots of tape to cover up the mistakes. Wesley however, is a fabulous wrapper.


2. Real tree or artificial?
If I had my choice, it would be a real tree. The downside of a real tree is it pricks you pretty good when you decorate it, and of course having to pick up all the needles...

3. When do you put up the tree? If we aren't busy, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Otherwise, it would be the following weekend. I am itching to put it up before Thanksgiving, though.

4. Do you like eggnog?
Although a drink with "boiled" in the title sounds gross, I prefer Boiled Custard to egg nog. It's sweeter. I definitely have to drink it in sips. I couldn't find any this year though, so alas I have eggnog in the refrigerator. I can't remember what eggnog tastes like, but I'll be breaking it out this evening.

5. Favorite gift received as a child?
Well, as a sidenote, I just have to say how awesome my mom is. I didn't realize this until just now, but she would always take all of the gifts out of the boxes and arrange them around the tree. That way, it was for sure Santa had dropped the presents off, straight out of his bag lol. I didn't realize until now how many parents don't actually do that. Most have them wrapped. Anyway, my best memory is one year where mom had done just that, and there were barbies in different poses everywhere and all the toys were arranged. I remember that Christmas vividly. Another toy that pops in my head was my "Katie Kiss n Giggles", which was a doll that you put lipstick on, and when you pressed her lips to your cheek, she'd make a kissing sound and giggle and leave a kiss mark on your cheek. Ok, maybe that sounds a bit creepy, but I thought it was the coolest... *nervous laughter*

6. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, thanks to my mom's awesome friend who gave it to us as a wedding present! What a great idea!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My grandma. Goodness. She gets mounds of presents every year, I don't know where she puts it all. And I always struggle with what to give her.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Wesley

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?
well...if I were better at mailing things...it would be mailing.

10. Favorite Christmas movie?
Hmmm...that's a tough one. Now that I finally saw 'It's a Wonderful Life' when I was about 20ish? (thanks to Tyson) no Christmas season is complete without that movie. I also LOVE a Charlie Brown Christmas.
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Too late, unfortunately. I used to get it knocked out pretty early in December, but since I'm so busy these days, I usually get my shopping done during the weekends in December. I still have a couple of gifts I need to get... =/

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My grandma's cookies!!! She makes at least 10 kinds. No exaggeration. And, this is random, but we have an appetizer table that is set up before our actual meal, and I LOVE eating the shrimp and little smokies (mini sausages) from them. Ahh, I can just taste it all now. MMMMMM...!

13. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree?
I enjoy colored lights more, but we don't currently have any. My favorite colored lights are the big fat ones that they used to make that were made out of glass. My grandma still has hers.

14. Favorite Christmas song?
"O Holy Night." Gets me every time. My favorite version is Hanson's. I think they did a fabulous job!

15. Travel or stay home at Christmas?
Travel, and it will always be travel unless we move closer to my dad's side of the family.
16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen Comment Cupid Donnor Blitzen Rudolph! (yes, the song helps me, which is why they are listed in the order they are listed in the song)

17. Angel on tree top or star?
I grew up with both...I guess my preference is a star though.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
Well, Wesley and I as a family open them Christmas Eve, since we usually try to be at my grandma's to stay the night on Christmas Eve. As for my family, everyone opens presents Christmas morning at their own house and then we all come together and open presents after dinner, around 4 or 5.

19. The most annoying thing about this time of year?
How ridiculously busy everything is! Traffic, post office, malls, etc.

20. What I love most about Christmas?
Remembering the true meaning of Christmas and spending time with my amazing family. I love hearing the sounds of Christmas, which is usually laughter and loud talking (my family is loud, I love it)