Christmas Tag

Kristi at Fireworks and Fireflies tagged me. I'm supposed to tag 5 other people, but the only bloggers I know, well, maybe I should say that know me (I know several bloggers, but they don't know I know them), are Kristi and Jordan and she tagged him.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?

Definitely, hot chocolate, with Redi Whip and chocolate shavings.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree?

As a kid, I remember Santa presents being wrapped. Santa doesn't show the same tender loving care to my children. Santa's presents appear unwrapped under the tree. He's a busy guy, ya know? Wrapping paper is also bad for the environment, right?

3. Lights on tree/house ~ colored or white?

The tree is white and pre-lit. Thank you Jesus!! If someone helps, the lights on the house are white too. Only lights appear in the windows this year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Why bother? Wouldn't you need someone around to kiss ya? I get plenty of that from the kids without mistletoe.

5. When do you put your Christmas decorations up?

Sometimes the Christmas decorations go up with me kicking and screaming at the very last minute. Not this year though, nope, not this year. I JOYFULLY put my decorations up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Again, thank you Jesus for my artificial, pre-lit tree that was purchased at my very favorite store--Target! I'd like to say I'm being Green, saving the environment, but it would be a flat out lie...I honestly can't stand wrapping those darn lights around the tree. I used to joke that I would get a divorce over putting lights on the tree, but it wasn't that...it was something else entirely...shocking!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

I really enjoy the turkey and mashed potatoes.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

I've learned that my long-term memory is not great (short-term either for that matter), but I remember singing Christmas Carol's at Grandma and Grandpa's Shultz's and the fire roaring. I also remember my Grandma and Grandpa Niswonger having their tree in the front room and getting to sleep in our sleeping bags in front of it.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

If you don't believe, you don't receive.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Yes, my kids get to open a gift Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With a mish mash of ornaments from various people, various places. The kids also have their own ornaments they've received each year and all of those go on the tree. A2 wants to know why A1 has more ornaments than she does, and A3 wants to know why A2 and A2 has more ornaments than he does. No amount of explanation is satisfactory.

11. Snow, love it or dread it?

I fall somewhere in the middle. The kids were wanting to know if there was going to be snow in Ohio for Christmas and if they could build a snowman. A2 was drawing a snow picture this morning and wanted to know if the big ball went on the bottom. :)

12. Can you ice skate?

I wouldn't exactly call it skating.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

No. Did I mention something before about my lack of memory...I can't remember if I mentioned it or not.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?

That my kids know that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus and being with family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Pumpkin pie is a big favorite, but I'm not one to turn down anything with chocolate in it.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I don't know that we have a tradition. It seems like life has been so crazy over the last few years that has not happened. I'll have to work on it.

17. What tops your tree?

A star that lights up.

The white lights, the mish-mash, the topper.

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

It's definitely giving now. I love to see the look on my kids' faces Christmas morning.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night and Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)

20. Candy canes, yum or yuck?

Yum. I have some in my purse right now. A2 takes one in her lunch box every day.

21. What do you want for Christmas?

I want to feel peaceful and settled. I want my kids to know they are loved.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

Nope.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve, or wear pj's?

Depends on who I'm with and where we are going.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?

Nope.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

One year my kids and the next whoever will take me.... :) Any takers for next year?