I Have Been Tagged!!!

My pal, Sarah, tagged me! This is the perfect tag for me...as I LOVE Christmas!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Now this is a toughy... I love them both! If I had to choose I guess I would say Hot Chocolate (I had a cup last night)

2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

As a kid - they were placed under the tree... now the presents are wrapped! It's so much fun to be surprised!

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white?

OK... I warned you... LOVE Christmas! I have 7 trees in my home. Now, they aren't all big! Each bedroom has a tree - white lights. The Living Room tree (my fav) has colored lights w/ antique ornaments; The Family Room tree has white lights, the back hall table top tree has white, and the small tree in the mudroom has colored lights w/ homespun type oranments. I told you I love Christmas!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Yes... I have some hanging from the light over the front door entry...

5.When do you put your decorations up?

Since I put up so much, and I don't host Thanksgiving I begin the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The bedrooms and Family Room are done at that time. The Living Room is decorated the day after Thanksgiving... I have to leave one fall room in tact through Thanksgiving. I do mine as I also decorate my mother-in-law's, my mom's and our Church. This year I have decorated 12 trees... believe me... I am ready to sit back w/ the cup of hot cocoa and relax!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Water Chestnuts wrapped in bacon! YUM! And of course Turkey!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

I remember one of the last Christmases we spent in Crown Point, IN. I was in 2nd grade and Christmas morning was just magical. Whenever I hear the old Christmas songs by Perry Como, Andy Williams, Nat King Cole etc... I get all warm and fuzzy inside. I always loved that our stockings were filled w/ an orange, apple, banana and some nuts - wish my mom still did that for us! Uh, I mean Santa! After we opened our gifts we would head to our grandparents out in the country for a family Christmas dinner. It was a time of happiness and innocence. It wasn't too many years later that my parent's divorced and things changed. I cherish those memories and hold them close to my heart.

8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I was one of those kids who fought the truth about Santa tooth and nail. In the 4th grade... deep down I knew... but I never let on because my sister's were younger and I didn't want to spoil it for them. Plus I feared I wouldn't get good gifts! Ha Ha I still tell my nieces and nephews they can still believe... Santa is just different. :)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

As a kid it was always Christmas Day. We do open gifts w/ Jim's side of the family on Christmas Eve - that was their tradition.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I have been collecting Christmas Decorations for years (ever since I was a kid)
Like Sarah, every ornament has a memory. I would call my decorating very traditional.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?

LOVE IT! Winter is inevitable so it might as well snow. It's so much prettier than rain and mud. I embrace it. God gave us the seasons and I appreciate each one. There is nothing more cozy than a snowy day, in front of my fireplace w/ a cup of coffee. If I have to venture out - bundle up in my favorite scarf and coat and be careful!

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes... haven't for years... so I am assuming it's still yes! Having a lake house we enjoyed skating all over the frozen lake when we were younger. I might enlist my sister and her kids to head out to the rink during Christmas break this year! Then we will see if I can still skate!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I don't think I had a particular favorite. Everything was always wonderful!

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?
I have to echo Sarah: "Being with family and making memories." also that it's the birth of our sweet Savior! What joy that brings me!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Ummm just about any dessert! Hee Hee I do love Cream Puffs. Jim and I make them together and give them to our friends and neighbors

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I would have to say the whole season. I cannot pick just one thing as I love to decorate, I love Christmas Eve Service at Church, cooking, family time... I love it all!

17. What tops your Christmas tree?

Antique Christmas Finials

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

It's funny... so many folks say it's better to give than receive. I feel you can prefer and enjoy both. God gave us His son - so we emulate Him when we give. However, we must receive His son... so we also must learn to receive gifts w/ grace and thanksgiving. So yes, I love both! I love to see the joy a gift I give brings to a loved one, and I appreciate the love and thoughtfulness that goes into a gift given to me!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Another toughy because there are so many I enjoy. O Holy Night is a favorite. It moves me to the depths of my soul. I love Nat King Cole's Christmas Song... White Christmas by Bing Crosby... I'll Be Home for Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.... Silent Night sung in German... OK, I'll stop

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?
Yum!

21. What do you want for Christmas?
I would really like a nice dutch oven - the ceramic kind. Other than that... lots of surprises! :)

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

Yes... a few work related parties. One at the Grand Ballroom at Union Station downtown - very nice. The others are more relaxed and comfortable open house parties.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?

I usually wear a fluffy sweater or satin blouse for Christmas Eve service - but once home... it's comfy jammies!

24. Do you own a Santa hat.

What do you think after reading my other answers! ha ha - Yes... we have a few... they hang on coat hooks etc. They don't get worn - unless a nephew or friend picks one up and puts it on!

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

Christmas Eve w/ Jim's side of the family... Christmas Day w/ mine at my mom's.

Now I get to tag 5 people

Angie... By Faith Ang Baylis
Paula... Spears Family Nebraska
Tracy.... My Cup Runneth Over
Kelly... Aroma of Joy
In Case You were Wondering


Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions.
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag!