christmas fun...

this is a response from my sis-in-law, kristine.

rules: copy, paste, answer, send...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper with cute ribbon!

2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? REAL all the way. we like to get a wild balsam which is kind of skinny and sparse- it is it's own kind of pretty.

3. When do you put up the tree? usually the first or second weekend in december. we are not usually organized enough until then and i can't do it alone so we wait until papa is around. we did it on the 7th this year.

4. When do you take the tree down? sometime around the new year

5. Do you like eggnog? yes in small doses

6. Favorite gift received as a child? i don't remember a favorite, but once i got a make-up making kit and i got all dolled up and uncle doyle started laughing when he saw me. i was so sad. i don't know why i shared that, but not to make him feel bad for sure.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, i have many. i love them. most of them child-friendly, or so i thought. jojo and lilo have broken a few pieces of my wood scenes this year by dropping them on the hard wood floor- sad. i think it is important to have some (or at least one) that the kids can touch and play with- because they will try whether i allow it or not. i remember not being able to play with mom and dad's white ceramic one and i totally understand why it was restricted but i think the problem could have been solved by getting one that was not breakable. lilo loves to say, "bake-able."

8. Hardest person to buy for? papa's parents

9. Easiest person to buy for? H. she is going to score this year.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever got? can't remember

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? i love sending and receiving christmas cards. i absolutely love it, but i am struggling with all of my junk mail (christmas cards not considered junk mail) and all of the waste paper we accumulate and i sort of wish i could allow myself to just be happy with emailed cards, but i'm not there yet.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? the grinch who stole christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? whenever i want to

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? i don't think so

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? chocolate covered marzipan. i also love mim's fish soup on christmas eve

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear always

17. Favorite Christmas song? once in royal david's city

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay at home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid, donner, blitzen, rudolph (did i miss any?)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? an angel that papa bought for me for my birthday in greenwich village about 10 years ago

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve? one- usually jammies

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? travel congestion

23. What I love most about Christmas? papa gets a whole week off of work and we just stay at home and play