Christmas Is Coming..

                                           Christmas is coming

                                         The goose is getting fat

                               Please put a penny in the old man's hat

                              If you ain't got a penny, a half a penny will do

                             If you ain't got a half a penny, God bless you!!

                          

                     

Got this from, you got it from:  Russ...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper because the kids can't sneak in and look to see what's in there.  Gift bags are awesome though--they are easy, and I love getting them because I can reuse them again. 

2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up with a very stifftriangular shaped artificial tree--nothing like a real one, but, now after years of real trees, I've given in to the artificial one.  My husband had a very real looking artificial tree before we were married, and for the last 3 years, and we've been setting it up.  Save a tree, buy artificial. 

                                                      

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually it's the first weekend in December. 

4. When do you take the tree down? The first weekend after New Years. 

5. Do you like egg nog? No, I hate it.  I don't know what's so great about it either.  I guess it would taste better with if I added some liquor.

                                                                                            

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Hmm..  Probably my red easy bake oven.  It's a toss up between that and my Barbie kitchen and Discotec that had a real looking phone booth in it, and psychedelic dance floor! 

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have two of them.  One high on the shelf, where the youngest can't reach, and another one set on eye level so Nicholas can see.  He has hidden baby Jesus at least a dozen times.  Last night he had put baby Jesus on top of the manger with the lamb and donkey.  I want to make sure that my kids don't forget why we celebrate Christmas--with all the other things going on, sometimes they tend to forget. 

8. Hardest person to buy for? Older children.  I refuse to give them cash, but they are no longer happy getting teddy bears, or dolls...  It's sad when kids grow up and already have everything..

9. Easiest person to buy for? My 12 year old son Andrew always has a list made out of what he wants, and it's always helpful.  My youngest son who is only 3 loves everything.  I could buy him a Dora doll and he would be content. 

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Christmas cards--each with a little note.  E-mail cards to people I don't have addresses to. 

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm..  I've been pretty lucky, but once I got a fix it wrench set.  I wasn't very amused.  Sorry, honey. 

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life--  Because I love Jimmy Stewart.  I however do really like the movie ELF.  It's hilarious..and Will Farrell looks cute in tights.

                  

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? After Thanksgiving, and the insanity doesn't end until Christmas Eve.  I never seem to be done. 

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  Nope.  If I don't like it, I'll try and return it.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies!!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored lights with tinsel!! 

17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Oh gosh..  I dunno..  No 12 Day of Christmas, or anything sung by Barbara Streisand, or Celene Dion!!  Give me ELVIS!!  Blue Christmas is nice, or I'll Be Home For Christmas, or anything sung by the fat snowman, Berl Ives--is he dead?  I grew up listening to Gene Autry Christmas music.  I still remember the cover of the record album.  I loved that record!  Whenever I hear that man's voice, I feel like a little kid again dancing near the fireplace.  "Out On The Rooftop" is my favorite.

     

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home.  I once spent a Christmas in Portugal when I was a teen.  It was really nice; and less commercial that it is in the states, however, home is always best.  I would love to take the kids to Disneyland one Christmas.  May be next year.. 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yeah, but I always confuse Blitzen with Nixon.  No, Nixon was not a reindeer..

 

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A lighted star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both.  We always open Santa's presents on Christmas day. 

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The rude and inconsiderate shopper, and parking at the malls.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Handmade ornaments, and each of my children's first Christmas ornament.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We are going to have Christmas Eve dinner with my husband's brother and his family, and on Christmas day we are going to my brother's house.  I will be making turkey, pork roast, potatoes...salads..etc..  and lots of different desserts.  I'm getting fat just thinking about it now.