Christmas 411

It's time for a Christmas survey! I heart surveys. So fun. Here goes nothing!!!

1) Wrapping paper or gift bags? I really like both, honestly. I tend to use more gift bags because I really suck at wrapping presents.

2) Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. My dad is allergic to all sorts of things and he happens to not like live trees. So we always had an artificial one. And, it seems like way too much work to saw down my own tree, get it home, get it inside and then decorate it. Just not my idea of a good time.

3) When do you put up the tree? Usually during Thanksgiving break, if we have time.

4) When do you take the tree down? Usually before we go back to school/work, so probably somewhere during the first or second week of January.

5) Do you like eggnog? I have honestly never tried it, but I think I would hate it. I cannot stand milk. I hate how thick it is and I am really not a fan of the taste, either. And from what I can tell, eggnog is just as thick and probably tastes ten times worse.

6) Favorite gift received as a child? Hands down, Talking Baby. I got this doll that I just adored. When I squeezed her stomach, she said something and I took that doll everywhere... seriously. She went to Disney World (inside the park, not just in my suitcase), all over Texas with me, wherever I went, she was there. I loved that doll.

7) Hardest person to buy for? My dad, only because when we ask him what he wants and he always says "I don't need anything; just by something for yourself". The only reason this is really hard is because I know he will get me something and then I'll have nothing for him. And, whatever he wants, he usually goes to buy himself because he would rather us spend our money on us. Such a sweet thought, but it makes Christmas and his birthday and Father's day reallllllllly hard.

8) Easiest person to buy for? Either my Mom or my sister. We all like a bunch of the same things--movies, jewelry, clothes. Ya know, girl things! :)

9) Do you have a nativity scene? I don't. But when I get my first job, I will be getting a gorgeous one.

10) Mail or email Christmas cards? My instinct was to say mail, because I don't wanna be one of those detached weirdos. But then, I remembered the elfyourself cards that I've seen through the internet the past few years. So ridiculously cute. So for that reason, I'm all about web/email Christmas cards.

11) Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I honestly can't think of one right off the bat. I've never been to any "white elephant" parties or anything, so I've never really gotten a gag gift.

12) Favorite Christmas Movie? Oh goodness. I love the Christmas season, so this list could be loooooong. But if I had to choose one, I'd definitely say The Holiday. Then White Christmas.

13) When do you start shopping for Christmas? I honestly shop all throughout the year. Probably because I only have 3 main people I MUST buy something (my mom, my dad, my sister). If I am somewhere and I see something they want or would like, I usually just buy it then. Also, that seems to solve the problem of spending tons of money in the 10 days before we open presents. It works for me.

14) Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I did this year, actually. My mom found some still wrapped blanket/throws in her house while going through a closet, and so I gave those as part of my $20 gift for my Dad's side of the family. I taped 20 bucks of iTunes cards to them, and called it good. It was a huge hit.

15) Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I looooove pecan pie that my Meemaw makes. And, thankfully, she usually sends me home with at least one full one (retarded family members trying to get some of my pie... ugh) to have alllllll for myself. Because she rocks like that. And because I'm the youngest, and therefore most spoiled her most favoritest grand-daughter ever.

16) Lights on the tree? Is this a yes or no? If it is, then yes to lights. I heart lights and twinkling lights are wonderful.

17) Favorite Christmas song? I happen to loooooooooooooooove Christmas music. The 'NSync Christmas album rocks out loud! This year, I'm pretty obsessed with Casting Crowns; I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day, to be exact.

18) Travel at Christmas or stay home? I have actually done both. When we were growing up, we spent Christmas Eve with my Dad's side here in L-town and then got up before the sun on Christmas Day to spend the day with my Mom's side and open presents with them. It was exhausting for my parent's, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. It also worked out good for my sister and I because that meant we would get to open our presents (from our parents) at least a day before Christmas Eve, because we wouldn't be home on Christmas Day.


19) Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? No, no I can not. I can almost get all of them, but there is someone missing. Must. Go. Google.

20) Angel on the tree top or a star? An angel has usually always been on top of our family tree. For my own family tree one day, I could go either way. An angel has always struck me as being kind of cruel---have you ever paid attention to the fact that you are sticking a tree limb up her dress? I'm just saying...Poor girl.

21) Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? See question 18.

22) Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The craze over shopping and getting things that are "bigger and better" than last year. It really bugs me that people go out shopping (supposedly for others) and get tons of stuff for themselves instead. I mean, really? Nothing says "the season of giving," like "look! 50% off a purse that I've always wanted!"

23) Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the sentimental ornaments on our family tree. Things from when we were kids, our first ornaments, ornaments from places we have traveled.

24) Favorite for Christmas dinner? Have I mentioned I LOOOOOOVE pecan pie?

25) What do you want for Christmas this year? Honestly, I wish I could say that I want nothing at all. Because that would mean I fully believe I have everything I could ever want/need. But, I will admit to sending both my parents and my sister a list of books/DVDs/DS games that I would love to get this year.

26) Have you ever been caroling? Only a few times. I went with my church one year to a nursing home and it was pretty fun, but I am fully aware that my voice SUUUUUUCKS so I was practically whispering.