christmas w/me

My mom emailed this to me and I thought you all might enjoy playing along- and since I know she reads my blog, I know she'll get the response. Thanks mom!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper- I love to wrap presents!

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have a real tree this year, and I'm coming around to it. Especially since I figured out I got hosed because they're way cheaper at other vendors.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving but we were a little later this year.

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Year's. I'm always loath to take it down because I love the light it puts off.

5. Do you like eggnog? I do! But not when Cory and Zach put too much whiskey in it. Ouch.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Samantha. 'Nuff said.

7. Hardest person to buy for? This year, my brother! He's been my stumbling block.

8. Easiest person to buy for? I agree with Mom- Liam! He's getting a lot of clothes this year.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I don't have a nativity scene. I have 4.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail... mine will be coming after Christmas this year. Sorry, guys. I ordered them but they're not being shipped until the 23rd.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hm... I got a mug one year. Woo!

12. Favorite Christmas Movies? Any version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Including the Mickey Mouse one. And the 2 Home Alone movies and most importantly National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Uh- towards the end of October, beginning of November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Unless you mean strategically leaving a gift we got at my in-law's last year... no.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? GINGERBREAD!! And the cream cheese and jalapeno tamales from Bob's.

16. Color of Lights on the tree? Multi-colored.

17. Favorite Christmas song? The Little Drummer Boy.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at HOME! I enjoyed going to Disney World in 2005, but it didn't feel much like Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen (Rudolph) and I say them in an Arnold voice in my head a la Jingle All The Way.

{aside: this question originally came in this form: "Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?" Dear Lord- it isn't reindeer's. First off- it was plural with an 's' you wouldn't use the apostrophe. Secondly reindeer is plural for reindeer. It's not reindeers. Would you say "I saw a bunch of deers in the field?" I think not. Okay- I'm done. Your gammer lesson for the day is over.}

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? My pretty German glass glitter star from Pottery Barn.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We open gifts with the Kennedys on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day we do the intimate family gifts.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Getting out in the traffic.

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? I need a nativity in as many places as possible. That's about it.

24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? Whatever- I'm more interested in BREAKFAST!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A happy baby all day on the 25th. And a couch. I dream about a couch.