(no subject)
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? How about paper bags? I won’t say I haven’t done it, nor the comics section of the newspaper neither. Gift bags are easier, but wrapped gifts look nicer, I think. Also depends on the shape of the gift.
2. Real tree or artificial? I would have sworn I’d always go Real. But I must confess that for the last couple of years I’ve enjoyed the ease of putting up my 4-foot 50-year-old falling-apart “permanent” tree that I inherited from my grandmother. Also, Larry is somewhat allergic to pine, I’m a semi-invalid at the moment, and we have a 2-year-old. ‘Nuff said.
3. When do you put up the tree? About a week before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down? A day or 2 after New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yuck.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My teddy bear when I was nearly two. Or the purple vest my mom made for him to wear when I was about 5 or 6 - I remember that being the only thing I wanted that year (I was a hard kid to shop for - all I ever wanted was pencils, notebooks, and books to read).
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? We own three - an ancient battered one from great-grandparents (handpainted actually, but ugly), a beautiful porcelain one we got from my in-laws, and a simple wooden cut-out one for Little Larry. The porcelain set is up in the living room on a tall bookcase, and Larry’s wooden one is in a basket on the buffet so he can get it down and play with it.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad. He owns all the books he loves, and has a very short list of things he asks for.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Little Larry. Like he knows what gift-giving is about yet. He’s getting a potty chair.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My grandparents were still giving me underwear when I was about 13 or 14.
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail, when I get to it!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas or Muppet Christmas Carol.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Date pinwheels (a cookie my mom makes).
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I love white lights, but we only have colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol: The Holly and the Ivy. Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We’ve always traveled, but due to my pregnancy-related pelvic issues, long car rides are out for me this year. We’ll probably go up to my parents at some point (only an hour’s drive).
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Are you kidding? I’ve only taught that song a gazillion times.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, though we space out Little Larry’s presents over a few days so he’s not overwhelmed and wondering why we keep taking his new stuff from him.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? “New” renditions of classic Christmas songs that are overproduced and too “pop.” Neil Diamond singing "O Holy Night" is one of the worst that comes to mind, but there are many other examples.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? The Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. Can’t beat the reading from Luke.
24. Up early or sleeping in? Little Larry wakes up at 6:15 pretty consistently, so we don’t have a choice most days. I doubt Christmas will be an exception.
25. Who hands out the gifts? Each giver.
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? I haven’t started that yet, but maybe in the future.
27. Do you leave cookies for Santa? I never leave any cookies on the plate. I’m 4 ½ months pregnant - you think I’m leaving any spare cookies just lying around?!
2. Real tree or artificial? I would have sworn I’d always go Real. But I must confess that for the last couple of years I’ve enjoyed the ease of putting up my 4-foot 50-year-old falling-apart “permanent” tree that I inherited from my grandmother. Also, Larry is somewhat allergic to pine, I’m a semi-invalid at the moment, and we have a 2-year-old. ‘Nuff said.
3. When do you put up the tree? About a week before Christmas
4. When do you take the tree down? A day or 2 after New Year's.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yuck.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My teddy bear when I was nearly two. Or the purple vest my mom made for him to wear when I was about 5 or 6 - I remember that being the only thing I wanted that year (I was a hard kid to shop for - all I ever wanted was pencils, notebooks, and books to read).
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? We own three - an ancient battered one from great-grandparents (handpainted actually, but ugly), a beautiful porcelain one we got from my in-laws, and a simple wooden cut-out one for Little Larry. The porcelain set is up in the living room on a tall bookcase, and Larry’s wooden one is in a basket on the buffet so he can get it down and play with it.
8. Hardest person to buy for? My dad. He owns all the books he loves, and has a very short list of things he asks for.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Little Larry. Like he knows what gift-giving is about yet. He’s getting a potty chair.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? My grandparents were still giving me underwear when I was about 13 or 14.
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail, when I get to it!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas or Muppet Christmas Carol.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Date pinwheels (a cookie my mom makes).
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I love white lights, but we only have colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol: The Holly and the Ivy. Hymn: O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We’ve always traveled, but due to my pregnancy-related pelvic issues, long car rides are out for me this year. We’ll probably go up to my parents at some point (only an hour’s drive).
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Are you kidding? I’ve only taught that song a gazillion times.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, though we space out Little Larry’s presents over a few days so he’s not overwhelmed and wondering why we keep taking his new stuff from him.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? “New” renditions of classic Christmas songs that are overproduced and too “pop.” Neil Diamond singing "O Holy Night" is one of the worst that comes to mind, but there are many other examples.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition? The Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve. Can’t beat the reading from Luke.
24. Up early or sleeping in? Little Larry wakes up at 6:15 pretty consistently, so we don’t have a choice most days. I doubt Christmas will be an exception.
25. Who hands out the gifts? Each giver.
26. Does Santa wrap your gifts? I haven’t started that yet, but maybe in the future.
27. Do you leave cookies for Santa? I never leave any cookies on the plate. I’m 4 ½ months pregnant - you think I’m leaving any spare cookies just lying around?!