CHRISTMAS TAG

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? It depends on how many "snoops" are around! I like the convenience of bags but they aren't SAFE if the kids are around!
2. Real tree or Artificial? For the first time this year, artificial. I love our tree that we got at a second hand store. When the kids were little, I loved to go with Dad and Dave and his family. The kids would sleigh ride and we would find a tree. I'm quite excited to not have to clean up pine needles for three months. I'm also excited to be able to plug it in whenever I want to without thinking I'm going to burn the house down.
3. When do you put up the tree? As early as possible! I took a lot of guff this year for putting it together before Thanksgiving. I WANTED THE KIDS TO HELP ME DECORATE!!! I HAD to make sure the lights worked! Hello!
4. When do you take the tree down? I used to take the real one down the day after Christmas. I may leave this one up a little longer . . .
5. Do you like eggnog? I love eggnog. I really like Dan's idea of eggnog with sprite!
6. Do you have a stocking? We have stockings but I always forget to fill them. I loved the cross stitched stockings I made for the kids when they were little (that I accidentally threw out with the trash!!). I miss them.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Ken's Mom and Dad. ERIC! I shop but he doesn't like what I buy.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Grandkids! I can find lots of things I want to buy. TOO MANY, in fact.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I love nativity scenes. I have a lot of them. I hate to put them away after Christmas.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Always mail. I love to send out our yearly newsletter. I start on it in the spring! I imagine how things MIGHT be in December. Sometimes my wishes come true - sometimes NOT! It's the only time we communicate with some of our friends and family all year. It's getting more expensive, though. This year it was a challenge to pay the money.
11. Most memorable Christmas gift you ever received? I'll have to think about this one.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to shop a little right after Christmas some times. This year I've been the slowest I have ever been in getting my shopping done. I hope I make it!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas brunch.
16. Lights on the tree? White and red this year.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I love all the songs at Christmas.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I used to want to travel because I felt like we were here all year and I wanted to go to Springville for Christmas. Now, I just want to stay home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, & Rudolph!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither. I can't reach the top and since me and the grandkids are the "decorators" there isn't one. I'm lucky if there are decorations at the top!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We used to let the kids each open one (PAJAMAS, OF COURSE) on Christmas Eve. I must admit that once before I was married Dave and I opened everything on Christmas Eve so we could sleep in!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Worrying about the shopping and financial aspect . . . wanting to do more than I can afford.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I just love Christmas. I tell Ken that I'm the biggest kid he has when it comes to Christmas.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I like to have things that we don't have at any other time.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? To have our kids come home. AND GO CAROLING!!!
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Probably the girls.
27. Favorite Christmas Tradition? My favorite was Christmas caroling. I felt like we should "give something back" for all of the blessings that we have. It was funny, too, because we became part of other family's traditions. It touched me to see the happy tears when we would sing to people. One year Carolyn Stevens said that one of the twins asked when we were coming because it didn't feel like Christmas until we did. I've missed it the last few years when I couldn't get anyone to go. WE ARE GOING ON DEC. 23 AT 7:00 FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED!!! BRING WARM CLOTHES!!