Getting To Know Me-Christmas Style

My sister sent me this earlier this week. I always think these are fun.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Both. But I definitely prefer it if most of the stuff under the tree matches or coordinates in some way.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artificial because it just makes sense from a convenience and natural resource perspective. But I'd definitely prefer a real one that we'd spend a day out in the country at the tree farms searching for with hot chocolate and fun. Oh well.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Generally, the first weekend in December. But this year that probably won't happen. I am slammed this weekend with 4 social engagements--one of which I've had to take a day off of work to prepare for (cookie exchange).

4. When do you take the tree down the tree?

The weekend after New Year's Day.

5. Do you like egg nog?

I love it. It's on my Death Row Food list. I'd like to swim in it. Years ago (like, high school) I had a home made recipe for it that was published in either L.L. Bean or Lands' End. It was sublime. I've never been able to find it again. You need fresh ground nutmeg and spiced rum to make it heavenly.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My shiny white, stiff ice skates. Don't know why---I'm hardly Katerina Witt. But I remember opening that box and it was like the case in "Pulp Fiction"--some brilliant light shone from it and my heart soared. For some reason I also distinctly remember getting "Battleship" and thinking that was totally awesome.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Ummmm. Yes? Does a Fisher Price "Little People" one count?

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Ugh. My mother. Painful. She's like some nun who's shunned wordly goods or something. If anyone knows what she wants, please drop me a line.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

Are you kidding? Connor. He's had a list going since June. Haven't gotten one thing yet, though. I'm too busy at work. I come home at 7:30 every night and collapse by 9pm.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

A bra. Like, one of my first ones. Who's bright idea was that? Every pre-pubescent girl loves opening a box with everyone watching to find her first boobie holder. Put that in the book of things you should NOT do to your daughters. I was scarred for years.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Love, Actually

13. Have you ever recycled a Chrismas present?

Yes, I'm a re-gifter.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Breakfast. For the past three or four years I've made this incredible savory breakfast casserole with proscuitto and cheese that is just spectacular.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Generally, white. But last year we mixed it up and Connor likes colors.

16. Favorite Christmas song?

Good King Wenceslas Don't ask me why. It's a year round ear-worm for me. I've got some kind of micro-cellular imprint of it in my brain.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay home. I'd love it if we had company, though. But everyone wants to stay home. I guess that's they way it should be.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?

Duh.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Morning. There are no presents on Christmas Eve. Santa has not come yet. What are you people talking about??

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Traffic and see #3. Too many social engagements makes them all less fun because you're just thinking about logistics and the next one.

21. Favorite ornament theme or color?

No favorites. I like to change things up. I do love my Santa collection that's been accumulating, though.

22. Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

Beef of some sort. Tenderloin. Last year we had incredible rib-eyes that we grilled.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Nothing material, really. I could use a new purse, but I'm really fussy about that so I'll need to pick it myself. I really want to take some time off work and spend some days going downtown and to Baltimore to lots of museums with Connor.