Colored lights or white lights? White for me, though I love colored ones out and about in the neighborhood. But no blinking lights, please.
Real tree or fake tree? We always had a real tree and cut it ourselves until we moved to California. Because we traveled back to Colorado for Christmas, we bought a fake one. But it has pine cones on it and I wire even more pinecones on it.
What is your least favorite thing about the holidays? Stressed out people. (Including me at times!)
What is the one thing that you would like to see under the tree this year? A new video camera.
What is your favorite thing to do/build in the snow? I like to sit inside by the fire and watch it fall.
What is your favorite holiday drink? Don't really have one. Just need that coffee each and every morning as usual!
What is your favorite holiday smell? Christmas tree!
Who is your favorite reindeer? Rudolph--I still have my Rudolph book from when I was little.
What is your Christmas Eve ritual? Eat soup. Open presents in our little family. Make reindeer food. Set out cookies for Santa. Sit by the tree until I can't keep my eyes open any more. (Yep, that's about 9:30!)
Are you a Friday after Thanksgiving shopper? Never!
What is your favorite holiday food? Before tonight, I might have said Christmas cookies, but I OD'd today. Ugh. So...maybe the Christmas brunch we eat every year at my mom and dad's.
How did you find out that Santa wasn't real? I don't remember, but my mother says I was devastated. So I've always told my girls he's not real. But we all pretend to believe--even though we don't.
Who do you want to be under the mistletoe with? Toben!
Have you bought all your presents yet? Yes--though I made most of them. All wrapped, mailed, and under the tree.
Do you spend Christmas with a lot of family? Yes--us, my parents, my sister and her family.
Do you still make snowmen and snow angels? It's been too long.
Do you still have snow ball fights? Also been too long.
What's your favorite Christmas movie? Seven Brides for Seven Brothers--not really Christmassy, but they do get snowed it.
What do you plan to do for New Year's Eve? Not a thing.
What's the most expensive thing you've ever gotten for Christmas? Tiffany pearls.
How early do you wake up on Christmas morning? Same time as usual--about 5:30.
What do you usually get in your stocking? All kinds of little stuff--nail polish, gum, toothbrush--all wrapped and all from my mother.
What is your favorite religious Christmas carol? Too hard to choose! I love ALL of them!
What is your favorite non-religious Christmas song? Baby, It's Cold Outside
How long do you leave up your Christmas decorations? Until New Year's Day, usually. But I'm considering leaving them up through Epiphany this year.
Consider yourself tagged!
I love the Christmas season. It makes me feel festive and happy! My uncle gave everyone in my family a Christmas present each [he's Christian]. Can't wait to open it!!
Posted by: Puva | December 13, 2007 at 05:40 AM
The Dean Martin version of "Baby..."? That rocks!
I recently watched "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck. It was pretty good...but not the classic that "It's a Wonderful Life" is!
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | December 13, 2007 at 09:06 AM
We love Christmas carols at our house.
I would have to say my two fave CHRISTmas ones are "Oh come Emmanuel" (have you heard third day's version!?) and "Oh Holy Night".
About the whole Santa thing-we never had Santa at our house growing up, and I continued that with my kids. When my oldest was about 4, I had explained to her about who Santa really was, and that he had died a long time ago. So I am at the doctor, having every woman's favorite exam, and Jess was waiting just outside the door. The nurses asked her what Santa was bringing her for Christmas. She just said, "Santa's dead." I heard this roar of laughter from inside, and didn't know exactly what had happened until I was finished!
Now I tell my girls not to spoil it for anyone else! :)
Posted by: Beth | December 13, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Fun meme, Joanne! Be sure to get out in the snow this year and have a snowball fight (or two). And make some snow angels. Can you tell I miss snow? LOL Then you can have hot chocolate by the fire and snuggle with the kids. Maybe read your Rudolph story........oh, there I go again, living vicariously through my bloggy friends who live up north! Can't wait to be there myself! :)
Blessings,
Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 13, 2007 at 01:53 PM
nice to get to know you better and hear about your Christmases !
coincidence but "baby, it's cold outside" is the title for my today's post !! ;)
(I can't believe you have all your gifts made, wrapped, sent, and under the tree ! wow, i'm far from this -- but working on it !)
XO
Posted by: Valerie | December 13, 2007 at 03:20 PM
Oh, I forgot to mention. I love the colourful baubles hanging on Christmas trees! They're so pretty!
Posted by: Puva | December 13, 2007 at 06:33 PM
How do you make reindeer food? Please share!
Posted by: Wendy | December 13, 2007 at 08:40 PM
I love this time of year. My favorite song is by Celine... the one where she sings... "it's Christmas eve and they can see we're in love"! Oh, so exciting!
Posted by: Amanda | December 14, 2007 at 12:59 AM