A Stolen Meme

I have never done a meme before but I liked this one and thought it would be an easy post...HA! these memes take longer to do than a regular post! It was cool though and I had fun doing it.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I use both but I love using really nice wrapping paper (the kind that DOESN'T rip at the corners) and bows to make it especially festive!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

We have an artificial one, we have had real in the past.The last real tree we had though, was infested with FLIES! As soon as the tree warmed up, all of a sudden we had hundreds of flies...bought an artificial one the following year...nothing says Christmas like bloody little smears all over the walls from swatted flies!

3. When do you put up the tree?

We usually put it up the last Sunday in November.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Usually take it down New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog?

No, I do not, ughhh, too thick and feels like a big wad of phlegm going down my throat, I'll passsss!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Hands down the best gift I ever received as a child was a transistor radio! I bugged my mom over and over for that the year I was 10, she kept telling me she couldn't possibly afford to buy something that cost 10 dollars for me, remember this was when Christmas meant a corner of the neighborhood Woolworth's. I tried bargaining with her, telling her she needn't get me anything else, it was all I wanted. Opened all the gifts, no radio. I was trying so hard not to cry, when she said "Oh look, Santa must've run out of room, I think I see something else on the window ledge" and there it was, one for me and one for my sister! My best friend got one too and we spent the day listening to our radios in "STEREO". It sounded better as at that time there was only mono. Great gift and memory.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My future son in law who, when asked what he would like for Christmas, invariably says "nothing" or "I don't know". It's a real challenge to find things for him.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My oldest daughter J, she isn't picky, as long as it isn't clothes that is, and I can always come up with things I know she'd like.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

No, although my mom had one I inherited, but I think I gave it to one of my girls, might've been J.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Always mail, I love to get them and I love to send them, it's nice to receive something in the mail that ISN'T a bill!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Had to be the sweater my husband and his cousin picked out for me from Marks and Spencer. The colour defied description, sorta a light, browny, grey, pearl knit monstrosity better suited to a 60 year old with no fashion sense than to a 21 year old young woman, but the thought was there!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

A Christmas story is a family favourite and A Christmas Carol.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

October usually, especially if I've thought of something that's a little pricey. I wish I'd had the idea about a large screen TV for the hubby back in August, would've given me more time to save for it, as it is, looks like he will be getting it for father's day instead.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Yes, to my mother in law, a gift I had no use for but knew she would like.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Besides the obvious of turkey and stuffing, I love love love shortbread cookies and candy canes, peppermint canes only though.

16. Lights on the tree?

I love hundreds of multicoloured lights! There must be close to 850 lights on this tree, to me, it's the single most important decoration to go on...hate putting them on and taking them off is no joy either but the finished product is gorgeous!

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Lots, Rockin Around the Christmas tree, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, mostly what I grew up hearing but I got to mention Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer and my personal fave, Monty Pythons, Ho Ho Fucking Ho!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We don't travel, my oldest daughter and I take turns each year hosting the dinner. It's my turn this year.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Yes, Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen and Rudolph. I got to say here, all my life I thought it was DONNER, but everywhere I see DONDER..maybe a case of mistaken lyrics?? OK I just googled it to get the answer and it seems either is correct!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

This year it is a star with lights, from my mother I inherited this horrid looking spire, that has what is supposed to be "angel hair" in the middle. We were always told not to ever touch the hair in the middle, I think cos it was made of finely spun fiberglass. I keep it and use it though cos it was my mom's and it feels like a little part of what Christmas meant to her.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

We open gifts Christmas morning, although we always used to let the kids open one Christmas eve and even though my youngest daughter at 20 is no longer a child, she insists on continuing the tradition.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Without a doubt, it is the crowds of people! The parking lots are a close second. I despise hoards of people at any time of the year with Christmas shoppers being the absolute bottom of the barrel, there is no holiday spirit, its me me me and mine mine mine and they will run you over like your invisible. Which leads up to the reason why I'm heading to Walmart this morn at 730 am, at least this way I can shop relatively unscathed, the people who bring their screaming brats will all still be asnooze. I do this every year and it saves my sanity!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I like them all. I think only a two colour theme lacks the prettiness of all the colours of the season, my place is a hodge-podge of all the Christmas colours

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

Traditional turkey with my delicious homemade stuffing. No stove top for my bunch, they'd string me up if I dared!

25. What do you want for Christmas?

Materially I have asked for a new microwave and a blender for making smoothies. The most important thing for me though would be peace of mind.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, whichever you prefer, to everyone!

Cathy