I received this from my friend Desta, and thought it was fun so I'd put it on here. I won't tag anyone - I know this is a busy time of year - but if you have a minute, feel free to respond with your own answers. I'd love to hear them! (The promised photos are in photo a day, so check them out!)
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped, except for one or two big items that are left out in the open for her to see as she comes downstairs.
3. Colored or white lights on tree/house? When I first read this, I read lights on a treehouse - what? Now I see....always white lights!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but there's still lots of kissing. :)
5. When do you put your decorations up? We always did it this way growing up, and continue it now as well - the day after Thanksgiving. I can remember begging my dad to get them out, and I hope Ansley is the same way!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child. My brother and I whispering and talking Christmas Eve night about what present we'd open first, what gifts were, etc. Well, that and Present War. :)
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I'm pretty sure my brother ruined....I mean told me. :)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We never did growing up, but our tradition now is for Ansley to open one gift, and it's always a new set of pj's. (Which will be even more exciting for her this year since she is THE pajama girl!).
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? We always get a real tree - I love the smell! - and decorate it with a theme that we've had for quite a few years now. A few years ago though John found a great after Christmas deal on an artificial one, so now we have two, and that one is our memory tree - ornaments from past Christmases and some from my childhood. It's one of my favorite traditions!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love, love, love it! Never got tired of it, even when we were in Idaho. I'm hoping for more of it here? I guess we'll see.
12. Can you ice skate? *laughing*
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmmm.....my memory doesn't serve me very well. The most I can recall is last Christmas, where I got my digital camera, which I love. So I'll say that. :)
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Celebrating Jesus, being thankful I know what that means, teaching Ansley the real meaning of Christmas, family, togetherness, love.
15. Your favorite Holiday Dessert? I absolutely love the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey kiss in the middle (Desta, that's funny that we're the same!).
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I'll read that 'traditions' - there's so many! Our advent calendar that my mom made, putting up all the decorations, going to fun Christmas events as a family, creating new traditions, continuing old ones, watching the joy and wonder on Ansley's face each year, Christmas morning where all I'm thinking about is Ansley's face when she comes down the stairs.
17. What tops your tree? An angel on the real tree, and a star on the artificial one.
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Definitely giving! I love finding THE perfect gift that will delight a friend or family member.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Again, I'll read that 'songs' :) - My absolute favorite of all time is O Holy Night, but I really love the For Him Christmas CD (favorite song: Strange Way to Save the World) and the Alan Jackson Christmas CD (favorite song: Let It Be Christmas). They are both fabulous.
20. Candy Canes! Not really a big fan of candy canes by themselves, but my absolute favorite thing at Christmastime is the special edition Peppermint Ice Cream that comes out. LOVE it!
21. What is your favorite Christmas Movie? Movies, you ask? How the Grinch Stole Christmas - I especially love how Ansley goes around singing da-hoo da-hoo welcome Christmas - and The Muppet's Christmas Carol.