Christmas Meme

This meme sounded too much fun not to pass up . . .

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I prefer hot chocolate. Actually, I favor hot mulled cider over hot chocolate - I've never been much of a milk drinker. Egg nog is usually served at my parents' home, and of course, hubby loves it (gotta keep a close eye on his egg nog consumption . . . )

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Isn't it fun to tear all those wrapping paper off? I'm looking forward to seeing Kai playing with all those wrapping paper.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored. It's prettier that way.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Never have . . . my family just wasn't too into decorating with greenery.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Always in December, about a couple weeks before Christmas. We aren't getting a tree this year, though - too expensive and we aren't going to be doing any holiday entertaining, so what's the point? We'll just enjoy the tree over my sister's . . .

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Smithfield smoked ham. It's a true Virginian delicacy, and my father prepares it for Thanksgiving and there's usually enough to last till Christmas. Yes, some of my roots lie in Virginia . .

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going over to Grandmother's home for Christmas dinner.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember when I learned the truth - I must have put two together when I woke up one night and saw some unusual activity beyond the dining room to the indoor porch where we would have our Christmas tree with all those gifts underneath it.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not as a child. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It's more prone to getting opened on Christmas Eve if I suspect it's fiber-related.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? When we're in the mood and in good shape financially to have a tree, we decorate it with old and new ornaments. I have a nice assortment of ornaments that I have collected over the years, and some which my parents passed on to me when there was no longer a need to put up the tree at their home.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! Hate the cold, though.

12. Can you ice skate? Unfortunately, no.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Umm, hard to remember right now. I'm sure there were several gifts that were my favorites, but as the years go on, some supersede others as the favorites.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I love being with my family, some of who I only see a few times each year.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Well, right now I don't really have a favorite. I love to bake, though, and sometimes I'll try a new recipe. I suppose if we're fortunate enough to have children of our own, we'll come up with a favorite holiday dessert.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Being with family.

17. What tops your tree? I think it's a star. Or is it an angel? Didn't put the tree up last year, so I don't remember what I have.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Do I really have to answer this question?

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Silent Night, Holy Night. I love this solemn song.

20. Candy Canes… yuck or yum? Umm . . . for the most part, yuck. I'm not a big fan of peppermint except in chewing gums.