A Christmas Meme!

Thank you, Sarah for tagging me for this fun meme. I am going to dedicate this to my mom. She gave up her entire day to help me decorate our tree/house. I have been feeling so yucky and she was a real lifesaver.

Growing up, she always made decorating special and never shooed me away from the ornaments. She would make fudge and play beautiful music. It was a magical time. I hope someday I will relax about my decorating and let my children help. I am sure they love hearing..."DON'T TOUCH IT!!!!!!!"

I am creating the best holiday memories, for sure!

Thanks, Mom! I really appreciate your help today. You made it all so pretty!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Christmas is really the only time I wrap presents. All other occasions are bag worthy. Not Christmas. Our paper has to match our tree. I choose 3 or 4 coordinating patterns and have fun wrapping. It seems to make them more special.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial tree from the dark ages. It is probably the first artificial tree ever made. It is a hateful tree that mocks me every year. Once decorated, it is gorgeous and worth the pain and misery. I love it, but am hoping for a pre-lit tree next year.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We start the week of Thanksgiving. The kid's trees are a breeze to put up and decorate. This year the "mocking" tree has been up and naked for 2 weeks. Thanks to my mom it is DONE!!

4. When do you take the tree down?
After the New Year. Actually we pay someone to come take everything down while we are on our annual Christmas vacation sponsored by Skip's dad. He takes us all away to a mystery location for a week. When we come home our house is clean and normal. I LOVE IT!! It is a beautiful thing for me.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yes! Although this year I can't stomach it. Makes me sad. One year I bought the Halloween Nog just to start drinking it earlier!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't really remember, but my favorite gift as an adult has been the Willow Tree Nativity that I got last birthday. I am enjoying it right this minute. It is so peaceful and beautiful.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
We have 2. One the kids can handle and "play" with and my newest Willow Tree Nativity.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Loulabelle. She doesn't really play with anything. She usually plays with whatever Z will allow her to play with. She loves to get presents, but then loses interest quickly. This year she is asking Santa to bring her a stick. Seriously.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
Z-man. He actually has collections (Star Wars, baseball cards, etc). It makes it easy to shop given his interests. I think he is getting string and tape from Santa this year. That kid can make a serious set of traps. My Little MacGyver.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
Hands down, a pair of Sesame Street overalls. I was seven. Sesame Street was so over for me by then.

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Mail. That reminds me...GET THOSE IN THE MAIL!!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Polar Express, Home Alone. Is it just me or does Rudolph have the most bizarre story line? Anyway, I love snuggling with my family and watching the classics with popcorn and the glow of our tree. Special times.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Through the year I carry an idea notebook. This allows me to think about it all year. If someone says they like a certain thing, it goes on the list. It has been a handy way for me to organize my shopping list.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I will never tell...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Um, lets see. There is the appetizer feast at one home, the ham dinner at another, and the early morning Monkey bread. I love it all. I truly love the tradition of the feasts. The same foods every year make it so meaningful to me.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
The main tree is clear...all 1400 strung by ME. It is a hateful tree.
Z's tree is red with red chili peppers. He has a cowboy room.
Lou's tree is white, vintage crystal bulbs. They all burnt out today. I get to take her whole tree down and replace them. I am so thankful that it wasn't the main tree, but still...

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O' Holy Night by any male singer.
Mary Did You Know by ????

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
All of our family lives in town. One celebration is at our home with my family sleeping with us. The next night we sleep at Skip's sister's house for his side of the family. Spending the night feels like we travel, even if it is just a block away.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Yada Yada, Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
The main tree has an angel, Z's tree has a cowboy hat and vest, Lou's tree has a copper angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
When lights go out! The commercialism. The busyness of our schedule.

23. What I love most about Christmas?
Family, friends, lights, movies, traditions, church. I could go on and on. Like Sarah, my wedding anniversary is this month. I love the romance of the season when celebrating our life together.

I would love to see all the B-Town bloggers tackle this list. It was so fun!

Merry Christmas!!