Christmas Meme

I found this meme over at Jessica Aspen Writes and I do love Christmas.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Both please! Of course, I drink hot chocolate all year-long, egg nog is a special holiday treat. I never make my own, neither David nor Amber will drink it, but every year my mom makes a batch- delicious. At home, I have to settle for the store-bought king, not nearly as good.

Do you hang mistletoe?
Usually we have plastic mistletoe that we hang up. I actually can’t picture it being hung anywhere this year, though. Wonder where it is?

When do you put your decorations up?
We start the weekend after Thanksgiving and I’m still working on some things now.

What is your favorite holiday dish?
I don’t know. Do cookies count as a dish?

Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
One year we went to Heinz Hall at Christmas, probably to see the Nutcracker, and I just remember being so impressed by the decorations and the size of the tree they put up there.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don’t remember actually believing in Santa.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We used to, but I think that’s one of the traditions that has fallen by the wayside. We do always leave a little something in my daughter’s room for her to see when she wakes up.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Well, we have an artificial tree that my mom gave us for my birthday last year. I love it. My husband puts the lights on as he puts it together then the star goes on top and I put on the strings of reddish wooden beads. Then the three of us put on the ornaments. We don’t have small kids and our dog leaves it alone, so we don’t have to worry about which decorations go where. I like to have Christmas music playing or a Christmas movie on tv while we decorate, but this year I had to settle for a Penguins games. At least hockey is wintery.

Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Hate it! Okay, it is pretty, as long as I don’t have to go out in it, or drive in it.

Can you ice skate?
Not really. We did go last year and had fun though.

Do you remember your favorite gift?
When I was a kid, my grandmother got me a cabbage patch doll. That was the present that year and I’m sure she waited in line for it. I actually still have her.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Family and friends.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
All of them!! Well, except the ones with nuts.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Every year we go to the 11:00 candlelight service at church. I love the songs, the candles, the coming out after the services and it being dark and cold, but Christmas Day. I was so sad a couple of years ago when I was sick and couldn’t go. I think that’s the only Christmas Eve service I’ve missed since I was a kid. There was even one year when it was so icy we couldn’t drive, so I walked over to the church by myself. David stayed home with Amber, who was just a baby then.

What tops your tree?
A tin star.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
I know I’m supposed to say giving, but I really enjoy both.

What is your favourite Christmas Song?
It’s so hard to pick! At first I was going to pick a hymn I love and there are so many, but it says song, not carol, so I think it might be “Let It Snow.” Even though I hate the cold, I do love being snuggled up inside.

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?
I love peppermint, but I don’t usually eat the candy canes, unless they’re chopped up and sprinkled on cookies or hot chocolate.

Favourite Christmas Show?
I love Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

Saddest Christmas Song
I don’t listen to the sad ones. I turn the radio off until they’re over.