Christmas Tag

25 Days Of Christmas Fun Tag The rules have to be posted at the beginning of the tag. Copy the tag to your blog and change the answers so that they apply to you...no Scrooges now. At the end of the post, tag at least 3 people and posts their names. Then go to their blog & leave them a comment letting them know they have been TAGGED.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I learned a trick from the lady who I nannied for years ago. Each member of her family had a specific wrapping paper to keep things organized even if tags fell off. So we use coded wrapping paper for each member of our family too.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real - I love the smell of the pines, firs, spruces. They are just too wonderful.

3. When do you put up the tree? Normally, we go get our tree the Saturday after Christmas. This year we were behind. Tim and the boys got the tree when they were cutting firewood. Not enough snow yet to make it our annual sledding trip :( Elijah, Gabrielle and I stayed up late Monday night setting lights on the tree and separating ornaments. All the kids and I decorated the tree yesterday morning before school. Tim hung up lights on the ridge of the living room. I will have to post pictures.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually a couple of days after New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog? LOVE it -- especially in my coffees.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmmmm..... that is a difficult one. We didn't have a lot of extras growing up but Mom and Dad made every Christmas special with truly heartfelt and thoughtful gifts. Daddy gave us a "day with Dad" one year that definitely ranks in the top 5. We got to choose one day (any day during the year) to spend the entire day with Daddy doing whatever we could think of. Daddy and I went clamming one year, played tennis another, looked at books another. Janine took him shopping. Whatever was special time to us, he gave. Very memorable gift. Mom made us clothes and things with giggly, blindfolded fittings in the weeks before Christmas, special gifts of music and things to encourage the giftings Mom saw in us. Auntie Marilynn who sewed or crocheted us things like pajama bags shaped like dolls with big dresses, and sweaters or one year an original drawing of a butterfly that matched my room, Granny Claire's gifts of books, Grandma Oakley's craft days and the things we made together for other members of our family. Grandma always helped us make presents for other people.
I have MARVELOUS Christmas memories.

7. Hardest person to buy for? That is too incriminating of a question.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Mom, Dad, Janine, Marilynn, Grandma Oakley --- all from whom I learned that the gift does not matter as much as the love with which it is given. My husband and children who still believe that.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I bought one even before I was married. Pretty and simple. I love the creches!!! I would have ten more if I could.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Normally I try to do a Annual letter at Thanksgiving. Don't always make that happen and this year it will probably be email (sorry!)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Again, too incriminating :)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nativity Story is FABULOUS - The Star of Christmas also excellent -- Christmas with the Kranks is funny -- the Grinch is an annual showing -- The Christmas Carol (actually several of the versions of that)-- Lots of Christmas time movies are enjoyed here.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I get to it. I know I am SOOO bad!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes...but I won't say what :)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Far too many to mention -- we have lots of family traditions that include food. Naimo bars are up there, Lemon bars, Russian Tea Cakes, Pie (lots of pie), homemade cinnamon rolls --- far too many to mention.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes!!! And anywhere else I can get away with it!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love Christmas music -- lots of favorites but probably What Child Is This is at the top, or maybe O Come O Come Emmanuel -- wait, maybe O Holy Night --- I don't know. TOOOOOO many that I love.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I agree with Heidi's answer -- budget plays into it a lot but I actually enjoy being home for Christmas, having our family traditions, sharing the day with family and sometimes friends also.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I hate questions where I have to think so hard early in the morning. Probably but I would give myself a headache in the process, I'll pass :)

20. Angel or star on the top of the tree? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open stockings on Christmas eve...the rest on Christmas day.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It grieves my heart that so many are trying to steal the joy of Christmas either those who refuse to acknowledge Christ's part in Christmas (the Holiday thing -- with dream trees and winter break) or those so consumed with the material part of Christmas we overlook the true heart of Christmas. Both make Christmas so yucky.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't have one -- our tree is an eclectic display of ornaments from when I was a child from parents and grandparents, my children's ornaments, handmade creations. When I look at our tree I see family and that is my favorite "theme"

24. Favorite Christmas dinner? It doesn't matter -- we have had elk, ham, turkey, and a variety of other dishes. Gotta have pie though :)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't know --- things aren't that important to me. I want to spend the day with my family and friends enjoying each other, loving each other, and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas ---- Christ, the first and ultimate gift.

I tag... Tyna - Janine - and Ang