The Xmas thread

[Not Afraid]

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg Nog. It's the only time of year I drink it. Although, I do miss my MIL's thick, thick boozy nog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrapping is part of the fun (and a PITA to do without your spouse seeing you.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I've been a white girl for a long time, but if I were to put lights on the exterior of the house, I'd go with the old fashioned large colored ones.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. It's VERY poisionous to cats.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
When I can find the time. Sometimes never. I've gotten lazy as I've gotten older - and we don't do Xmas Eve here any more.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)
Pick one? No way. Stuffing, potatos, yams all rank high.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:

As a child, I don't know, but my favorite contemporary memory comes from last year. On Christmas day, we had already opened all of our gifts and were just relaxing when the doorbell rang. A delivery man was standing on the porch with a very mangled box in his hands. I signed for it and brought it in the house. The box had obviously come from somewhere in Asia and had had a rough trip. Chris told me to open it. Inside, still in great condition, was a remote controlled Nekobus (from Totoro) that he had ordered from Japan. I spent the rest of the day playin with it, knowing that I was the only "kid" on my block to get one of these cool toys for Xmas.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Probably about the same time I learned my Dad was not my siblings dad.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Xmas eve is the big day in my German household and, since my parents are both gone, it remains the big event.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
White lights and lots of blown glass ornaments - I especially like antique ones. My tree is very colorful and covered in unique ornaments that I've collected over 20+ years. Each ornament seems to have a memory attached to it.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
What is snow?

12. Can you ice skate?
NO! I hate it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
A complete child-sized pink kitchen.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Taking a break from busy life and enjoying others.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pupmkin Cream Cheese Pie with Pecan topping or my Cranberry Orange Plum Pudding with home made sauce.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
We've changed our traditions so much over the years I can't say there's one thing that remains consistant and a favorite.

17. What tops your tree?
A gold leafed angel.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
Giving is best, but more difficult.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
How can I possibly pick just one? Must Be Santa by Mitch Miller and his Orchestra has always made me happy and the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet of Little Drummer Boy is fantastic. I can't choose just one.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Just ok.