Memey Christmas
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? - Either, paper for presents for kids, sometimes for adults, bags for adults if something will fit nicely, but I don't buy bags, I just reuse.
2. Real or Artificial tree? - Artificial because we lived in an apartment for so long, but the last few years I've been pondering how messy a real one may be.
3. When do you put up the tree? - After Rohan's birthday, whenever we get around to it.
4. When do you take the tree down? - After New Year's.
5. Do you like Eggnog? - It really depends on the brand. Some are nice, some are icky. And I never remember which is which from year to year.
6. Favourite Gift you received as a child? - Lego, probably? The Vic-20 was fun too.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? - I was given one, but I don't bother getting it out of the basement. It's huge and I have nowhere to put it and it drops glitter everywhere.
8. Hardest person to buy for? - Probably Michael. He's into instant gratification, so whatever he might remotely want, he's already bought.
9. Easiest person to buy for? - Me. Or is it wrong for me to be amazed at what Santa brought me?
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? - I've gotten some less than useful things, usually through office exchange and obligatory acquaintance gifts, like coffee beans, alcohol or boxes of chocolate (can't/don't consume any of these) but those are handy for regifting. Oh wait, one year I got a cheap stuffed toy from someone who didn't understand the office exchange wasn't for gag gifts. I had actually drawn a nice snowman themed cookie jar, which I wasn't personally all that keen on, but when the woman at my table opened the crappy toy, she was so upset that I offered to trade. She was utterly amazed, and the cat got mild amusement out of the toy before I threw it out.
11. Christmas Cards - Yes, but at the last minute so they arrive quite late.
12. Favourite Christmas Movie? - The Grinch who Stole Christmas is traditional in my family.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? - When I see things I know someone might absolutely love. The hard part is remembering months later that I have done so.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present? - See item 10.
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? - Christmas Pudding, with rum sauce. Mostly the sauce, actually. I think it's probably the only alcohol I willingly consume.
16. Clear lights or coloured or both on the tree? - I have a lazy prelit tree that's coloured lights.
17. Favourite Christmas Song? - Christmas at Ground Zero by Weird Al Yankovic. It's just so catchy, and if you don't pay attention the the lyrics, quite Christmasy.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? - We used to travel all over, and it was so tiring and stressful that when we bought our house, I dictated staying home henceforth, but that instantly evolved into visiting one set of parents on the weekend before, and the other the weekend after. After Rohan though, my folks come to us, and we only have to do one weekend of travelling. I grew up with an at-home Christmas, just mom, dad, me and my brother, and anything else just feels a bit strange.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? - There are people who can't?
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? - Michael likes an angel, but I always miss the leprechauns my parents have topping theirs.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? - Morning! First, you see what Santa brought, and you can play with that before breakfast because he doesn't wrap. Then it's long leisurely breakfast that must involve cinnamon buns. Finally, around 10am when kids are about to explode, we open presents. Slowly. This whole process drives Michael crazy.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? - Crowds and bad driving. Oh, and late-scheduled exams.
23. Favourite Christmas tradition - I love the baking. There's some recipes it's not Christmas without. I can live without presents and dinner and decorating but never ever keep me away from shortbread cookies, fruitcake and orange squares.
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays? - There's nobody I would try to avoid, but it does seem weird to have more than just absolutely immediate family.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration? - Nope. There's religion in Christmas? Oh yeah, all those songs do mention something, don't they?
2. Real or Artificial tree? - Artificial because we lived in an apartment for so long, but the last few years I've been pondering how messy a real one may be.
3. When do you put up the tree? - After Rohan's birthday, whenever we get around to it.
4. When do you take the tree down? - After New Year's.
5. Do you like Eggnog? - It really depends on the brand. Some are nice, some are icky. And I never remember which is which from year to year.
6. Favourite Gift you received as a child? - Lego, probably? The Vic-20 was fun too.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? - I was given one, but I don't bother getting it out of the basement. It's huge and I have nowhere to put it and it drops glitter everywhere.
8. Hardest person to buy for? - Probably Michael. He's into instant gratification, so whatever he might remotely want, he's already bought.
9. Easiest person to buy for? - Me. Or is it wrong for me to be amazed at what Santa brought me?
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? - I've gotten some less than useful things, usually through office exchange and obligatory acquaintance gifts, like coffee beans, alcohol or boxes of chocolate (can't/don't consume any of these) but those are handy for regifting. Oh wait, one year I got a cheap stuffed toy from someone who didn't understand the office exchange wasn't for gag gifts. I had actually drawn a nice snowman themed cookie jar, which I wasn't personally all that keen on, but when the woman at my table opened the crappy toy, she was so upset that I offered to trade. She was utterly amazed, and the cat got mild amusement out of the toy before I threw it out.
11. Christmas Cards - Yes, but at the last minute so they arrive quite late.
12. Favourite Christmas Movie? - The Grinch who Stole Christmas is traditional in my family.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? - When I see things I know someone might absolutely love. The hard part is remembering months later that I have done so.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present? - See item 10.
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? - Christmas Pudding, with rum sauce. Mostly the sauce, actually. I think it's probably the only alcohol I willingly consume.
16. Clear lights or coloured or both on the tree? - I have a lazy prelit tree that's coloured lights.
17. Favourite Christmas Song? - Christmas at Ground Zero by Weird Al Yankovic. It's just so catchy, and if you don't pay attention the the lyrics, quite Christmasy.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? - We used to travel all over, and it was so tiring and stressful that when we bought our house, I dictated staying home henceforth, but that instantly evolved into visiting one set of parents on the weekend before, and the other the weekend after. After Rohan though, my folks come to us, and we only have to do one weekend of travelling. I grew up with an at-home Christmas, just mom, dad, me and my brother, and anything else just feels a bit strange.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? - There are people who can't?
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? - Michael likes an angel, but I always miss the leprechauns my parents have topping theirs.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? - Morning! First, you see what Santa brought, and you can play with that before breakfast because he doesn't wrap. Then it's long leisurely breakfast that must involve cinnamon buns. Finally, around 10am when kids are about to explode, we open presents. Slowly. This whole process drives Michael crazy.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? - Crowds and bad driving. Oh, and late-scheduled exams.
23. Favourite Christmas tradition - I love the baking. There's some recipes it's not Christmas without. I can live without presents and dinner and decorating but never ever keep me away from shortbread cookies, fruitcake and orange squares.
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays? - There's nobody I would try to avoid, but it does seem weird to have more than just absolutely immediate family.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration? - Nope. There's religion in Christmas? Oh yeah, all those songs do mention something, don't they?