Christmas Questionnaire

I got tagged by Aaron because I read his blog first, and I am going to use the same rules as he did, read on:

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends."

1. Wrapping or gift bags?

Both

2. Real or artificial tree?

Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree?

I have always tried to put it up soon after Thanksgiving, and usually manage to get it up at least two weeks before Christmas.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Shortly after New Years

5. Do you like egg nog?

Sometimes, but much like Pumpkin Pie, it is one of those things I have to really be craving to want at all.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

No question, my Schwinn Pixie at age 4 from Santa.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Somewhere I have a little nativity scene made from popsicle sticks by my college band director. He made over a hundred of them and gave one to each band member.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

The same year Aaron got a muffin splitter I got napkin rings. I was about 15 at the time and I had no idea what to do with them.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards?

No, I used to want to do them, but since my career path has been so academically driven I have pretty much given up. I suppose if I did them in August before school started I could send them out.

10. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Toss up between Nightmare Before Christmas and Love Actually.

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I try to do as little shopping as possible. I suppose I usually start halfway between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

I love too many things. Potato Baloney, Gramma's Spritz Cookies, and anything my future mother-in-law makes.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Multi-colored

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)?

I would say almost all of the contemporary Christmas songs Sean has turned me on to. Most of all, the album Snow Angels by Over the Rhine.

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

It looks like the new tradition will be Christmas eve in the burbs with Sean's folks. Christmas day at home. And the weekend after Christmas in Des Moines with the Johnsons.

16. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes.

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

both and then some.

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

The shitty attitudes of people. I hate going out to do any errands this time of year. I have had to deal with too many ass faces in the last two weeks.

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color?

Nope, just all the miscellany I have collected over the years.

21. What do you leave for Santa?

Nothing, he doesn't come here.

22. Least favorite holiday song?

I don't know for sure.

23. Favorite ornament?

I love all of the ornaments people have made for me, and my favorite one is a blue star with swirly coils and glitter that Theresa made for me a few years ago. While each ornament has a story and is special to me, that one is definitely one of the best.

24. Family tradition?

not any more/not yet

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Eve services?

Yes.

Now, I am to tag seven people. I hereby tag the first seven people that read this. After you have read this post, say so in comments and do your duty. We're working on the honor system here people, so no cheating, it's Christmas after all.