Hat tip to Mom With Attitude
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Seriously? I wouldn't touch egg nog with a thirty-nine-and-a-half-foot pole! One year we went to a Christmas party where the hostess's neighbors brought a big pot of homemade "Soy Egg Nog." It was easily the most vile beverage I've ever put to my lips.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa always wraps. And he does it with a different paper than Mom and Dad--so you KNOW he's real!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
In general I prefer colored lights but white lights used effectively are really pretty as well. I love the way Kevin did our house. But you know what I really dislike? Those dangling "icicle" white lights. Ick.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Not this year--didn't think of it. Besides, I get kissies every time I want :).
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Depends. Usually I try to get them up early as I love the season, but this year we only had the lights up by the first week in Dec. and then got the tree out last week with some other collectibles.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Hmmmm, do I have a favorite? Maybe the goat cheese mashed potatoes we're having tomorrow.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Oh, so many to choose from! One thing I love is our Christmas puzzle. Every year Mom buys a jigsaw puzzle with a Christmas theme and the tradition is that you can't open presents until you finish the puzzle. This used to be a great family event, but now it's like we go to visit (like last night) and Dad's saying, "What are you doing sitting around? Get to work or NOBODY GETS ANYTHING!"
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think I was around 8 or 9. I remember figuring out the Easter bunny thing and finally saying, "Well I guess Santa Claus isn't real either, hunh?"
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Not traditionally.
10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him?
Usually Kolacky, spritz, and sugar cookies at Mom and Dad's. This year it's chocolate chip in our house.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
As long as I can drive back down the mountain and go home to my mid 70s weather, I love it!
12. Can you ice skate?
I used to be able to but I seemed to have lost the skill.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes--a pair of gold earrings. For years I'd been bugging my parents to let me get my ears pierced and my dad was very resistant, saying that he thought it might be a trend and that I'd be stuck with holes in my ears if it ever went out of style. (okay, this was 20 years ago--it would be a lot worse now). So for Christmas when I was 12 I opened my last present and it was a pair of earrings that only meant one thing--I was allowed to get my ears pierced.
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
getting gifts. Lots and lots of gifts. Hee hee, just kidding. I like the togetherness and the magic of the season.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
same as any other dessert--Kevin's homemade Dutch Apple Pie.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Well, the abovementioned Christmas puzzle is one of my favorites. Ripping open presents on Christmas morning is a close second.
17. What tops your tree?
A paper mache' angel that I bought in the cathedral in Seville, Spain where Christopher Columbus's body lies (yep--Chris Columbus AND a gift shop!). I had to hand carry that thing on the plane and that wasn't such a great idea, but I REALLY love it.
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving?
I love the feeling of finding the perfect present for someone and I get very excited waiting for them to open it.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
Oh Holy Night--especially by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir--very moving.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Oh BRING IT ON! I also love to crush candy canes in the blender and then use that to top vanilla ice cream. I know you can buy candy cane ice cream but it's not the same as plain vanilla with real crushed canes on top.