Well, I'll be tagged!

I was reading kablot's Christmas list and thinking how I would answer the questions and lo and behold, when I got to the bottom, there was my name! So, here goes:

1. Paper wrapping or gift bags.
A combination. I wrap the gifts for family because they all have to be sent somewhere else, and bags don't fare too well that way. I use bags for party jingle gifts and things I get for friends here, because I see so many really pretty ones.

2. Real tree or artificial.
When I was a child we always had real ones because we lived on a farm and just went up on the hill behind the house and found one. There is really nothing like the smell of a real tree. But now, it is artificial; gets put back in its box every year. The "real Christmas tree" spray ain't.

3. When do you put the tree up?
We always put it up on Christmas Eve as I was growing up. When my son was young, we would put it up on Dec 1. I haven't put up a tree in several years now; not since he moved out. We talk about it every year, but never seem to find the time to actually do it.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Because we used a real tree, it usually was gone by the middle of January. My birthday is the 17th, and I don't ever remember a tree being in the house for my party. During my son's growing up years, we took it down on January 2.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yeah boy! Best tastin' stuff I can think of! Especially when you make your own!

6. Favorite gift received.
Three years ago, L got me a pair of rhodalite (purple) garnet earrings that he chose without my being with him. I was here, he was still in Ohio. It told me he put a lot of thought into the selection, because he knows I like silver or white gold and really like my birthstone. The purple of this pair is similar to an amythyst. I still wear them a lot.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
No, I have never had one; either indoor or outdoor.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
That would have to be multiplied by 5. The quints' birthday is Dec 12, and trying to buy for both celebrations for that many in one family presents a real challenge.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
L. Buy anything having to do with birds (even a bird, I did that one year); or clothing. He loves shirts, sweaters, ties (yep, ties.)

10. Worst gift I have received.
One year, my ex husband got me a neclace and earring set in an orangish stone. He really was trying to be nice to me, but I don't wear anything orange. I think I wore it once.

11. Favorite ornament
I have 3 sets of tiered glass bells that are sort of like chimes. When the tree moves, they tinkle and sparkle, and they pick up the reflection of the tree lights.

12. Favorite Christmas movie
Has to be "It's a Wonderful Life." I can watch that one over and over again. Reminds me that one person not only can, but does make a difference in the world, so often not even realizing the impact he or she is having.

13. When do you start Christmas shopping?
Usually right after Thanksgiving (NOT Black Friday) because of the quints.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift?
Once or twice when a gift I have gotten as a party jingle ended up being nice, but not what I would use myself. If I think it fits someone I am buying for, I will regift it.

15. What is your favorite Christmas food?
Eggnog! And homemade stuffing.

16. Clear lights or colored?
Colored, and the more the better! Clear is nice too, but I really prefer the colored ones, and no twinking. I have had as many as 1100 lights on a 7 1/2 foot tree!

17. Favorite Christmas song
O Holy Night

18. Traveling or staying home?
Traveling. Most of L's family now live in and around the Metroplex, so we go there for the holidays.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Well, I can't say I didn't cheat, since I read Kablot's post, but I won't look back and give it a go: Prancer, Dancer, Donder Blitzen, Rudolph...nope. And I can even hear Burl Ives singing!

20. Angel or star on the top of the tree?
A star. We have always had a star on the top of the tree. Some have been lighted, some have not. I like lights, remember?

21. When do you open the gifts?
One on Christmas Eve, and the rest on Christmas morning. Mom and Dad would not let us open anything until Christmas morning.

22. Most anoying thing about the Christmas season
The Christmas music that (now) starts before Halloween! By the time Christmas actually arrives, I am sick to death of hearing it.

23. Does Santa always wrap the gifts?
Not always. Depends on the size of the gift. I got a bicycle for my 8th Christmas/9th birthday--it wasn't wrapped, just had a great big bow on it.

24. Did you ever leave cookies for Santa?
No, we lived so far out in the country that Santa didn't have time to stay and eat. Actually, "Santa" would only leave one gift for each of us. The rest were from mom, dad, grandparents, etc. We usually got clothes, shoes, fruit, etc. Not much in the way of toys. We needed the other things too badly.

25. What is your favorite Christmas memory?
Watching my son help "decorate" the tree when he was little. His dad is 6' 4", and he would put Aaron on his shoulders and let him put the ornaments on the upper branches and help place the star. Then he would throw tinsle at the tree. Some of it actually stayed there.

Ok, now I tag marme and rhondiemarie