It's Christmas Time

Christmas for me is a hit and miss holiday. Sometimes I LOVE Christmastime, and other years... I get so tired of the commercialism and greed. Needless to say I really have to work hard to get myself in the proper frame of mind. This year is still up for grabs. I haven't really felt strongly one way or the other. Financially, Joe and I are doing well this year, and though I am very happy with our gifts we have purchased for our children and family, I am also very happy with the donations we have been able to make this year. One in particular is special to me. There is a family I know who has had a pretty rough year so far. They found out in August that their two-year-old, Brynlee, has cancer... needless to say it's been a rough year for this beautiful family and Brynlee's grandma has set up a BLOG to keep track of Bryn's progress and a PAYPALL ACCOUNT to help the family out. If any of you feel the need, you are more than welcome to contribute to Brynlee's account. Heaven knows how expensive treatment has been (and will continue to be).

The girls are being pretty good for me so far this year. Lacey loves undecorating the bottom of the tree. I finally gave up and just collect the ornaments she has removed and only replace them once a day instead of all day long... Lil loves looking at the gifts that are slowly collecting under the tree. She keeps asking if it is Christmas yet. We are gonna be having a little talk here soon on what Christmas is really about (as in, not about getting presents). I am also gonna take the girls out to get presents for Daddy and each other. (Yes Joe- I am gonna start that this year- no worries... I was thinking the dollar store would be an ideal shopping place for the girls).

So... my cousin Connie tagged me earlier this week for a survey that is all about Christmas. So, on with the show!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper unless the gift is odd shaped...
2. Real tree or artificial tree? Artificial all the way!
3. When do you put up your tree? I usually try to get it up the day after Thanksgiving... but this year it was up two days after.
4. When do you take the tree down? As soon as I get around to it...
5. Do you like eggnog? Sure. But I have to dilute it with milk to make it drinkable.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Well- I wasn't really a child per se, but I think my favorite gift would be the last one I got from my dad (and my mom too of course) and that would be my Letterman Jacket. If you really want a CHILDHOOD gift then I would have to say my Cabbage Patch Doll...
7. Hardest person to buy for? My brother in law
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have two- both with broken pieces from the kiddo's... I may have to invest in the Little People Nativity.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I like to receive mail. I suck at sending it though- so e-mail wishes are great for me!
11. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th. I am always on the lookout for a good gift!
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeah. Last year I received a game for my girls that had been given to me by the same person the year before! So I gave the game to a friend.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Well- I would have to say my mom's homemade candy. Especially the English Toffee.
15. Lights on the tree? White only.
16. Favorite Christmas song? Most people don't know my favorite one, since it is a Primary song (a youth song from my church) it's called, "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus." My favorite MAINSTREAM song is "Little Drummer Boy/Teach the Children"
by David Bowie and Bing Crosby
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both. Travel to see family in the area, after spending the morning at home.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Commet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, Rudolph, and Olive (you know- Olive, the other reindeer?)
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
20. Do you open Presents Christmas eve or Christmas day? The girls open a specific present (containing Jammies) on Christmas Eve, everything else waits for Christmas Day.
21. The most annoying thing about this time of year? Commercialism and Greed
22. Favorite ornament theme and color? I don't have a favorite theme, I do a traditional country style tree. But I do have a favorite Christmas ornament STYLE. Blue and White Snowmen... hard to explain. I may just take a picture and post it here to show what I am talking about...
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Something easy. OR a big family feast with the extended family.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? I am happy with the idea of the donations made being my main gift, but my girls are more than welcome to get me little things for the home (like a new large sauce pan or a new bathroom rug...)
25. Favorite Christmas tradition? Well- Joe and I are still in the midst of finding our own little traditions, but we do like sitting down with the girls and telling the Christmas Story to them on Christmas Eve (with the visual help from one of our Nativity sets).

As far as tagging others is concerned... I will tag Julie, Diane, and anyone else who feels the need to do this tag as well! But especially Julie and Diane...

Hope you all have an amazing, spectacular, and festive holiday season!