A Little Christmas Fun!

I saw this linky on Amy Lemons' blog and HAD to join in because you know we're not really thinking much about school right now anyway, right? I know my head is already on Christmas and vacation, at least. Just glad I only have 1 1/2 more days before the weekend. I'm taking a half day on Friday to get ready for Keagan's 2nd birthday - YIKES!! Go link up with Michelle at Fabulous in First to join in on the fun!

Hot Chocolate or Eggnog? 

Hot chocolate. I LOVE it and always get very excited when the weather is cold enough to snuggle up with a warm cup of it. Eggnog just sounds gross to me...

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree? 

Since Keagan is still very young, we haven't really discussed "Santa". However, we left one large present unwrapped last year (his kitchen) and plan to do the same again this year (tricycle). I guess that's Santa for us. We don't want to make a big deal out of it, so Santa may continue to just do one big gift and a stocking. Then we'll wrap the rest.

Colored lights or white? 

I love white, but the hubs disagrees. We've actually had many debates about this and need to find a good compromise. Right now, I have a fake tree up front with my lights, and I think it's absolutely perfect!

Then our real tree in the living room has colored lights and all of our fun ornaments. I just feel like it suffers from an identity crisis, and it drives me a little nuts. I'm wondering if maybe I would prefer it if we got the BIG colored lights that remind me of gumdrops...

When do you decorate? 

We have started as early as November 1, but it's almost always basically done by Thanksgiving. The only thing we wait to do is our real tree because we want it alive and well by Christmas. It's just easier, and we both LOVE Christmas so much that we just can't wait!

Real or Fake Tree? 

We do both. Fake tree up front (and a small one in Keagan's room) and a real tree in the living room. We actually cut one down out in the woods one year when we had an endless ceiling...

Yes, that tree is about 12 feet!

...but now that we're in a normal house with regular ceiling heights, we just go to Food Lion or Kroger and buy one. They always have great trees, and we can get them for about $30 each year. Not bad!

What Tops Your Tree?

A star for both. If you noticed from the picture above, I was using some pick-thingy, but it drove me crazy. Target had a pretty red star on sale for $5, and I grabbed it up early in the season to trade out!

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?

Opening one gift on Christmas Eve (usually pjs) and enjoying a fun dinner with the family.

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child? 

I don't remember actually getting her, but it would probably be when I got my Red-haired Cabbage Patch Doll, Daisy. I still have the doll today, and she went EVERYWHERE with me when I was little. I guess she's kind of like my "Woody" from Toy Story. She even went to college with me!

Do prefer giving or receiving? 

I prefer watching other people's reactions when they get gifts over opening gifts in front of other people (that makes me feel weird, and I suggest opening at the same time), but I do like to get gifts :::hangs head in shame:::. I think it's probably about equal for me if I'm completely honest. I LOVE buying gifts for kids!

What is your favorite Christmas song? 

I'm cheating and picking two because Christmas music is some of my favorite music of the year. Seriously, I can't wait to put it on my iPod (and may leave a few songs on all year), and I start listening right after Halloween! 

- Mary Did You Know by Mark Lowry - makes me cry every time! 

- I Celebrate the Day by Relient K - if it was in my range entirely, I would love to sing it at a Christmas service. Such a POWERFUL song! 

Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum? 

They're fine, but I want the chocolate!

Favorite Christmas Movie? 

Charlie Brown Christmas (especially when Linus gives the entire story) and ELF

Do you shop online or at stores?

Both, but I'm beginning to do more of it online, especially now that I can get cash back with ebates!

Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card? 

I prefer photo cards because they're cute and simpler (and you can get them for pretty cheap), but we're doing an actual card this year because Steven's students have some as fund-raisers. We are putting a picture in the card, though. Just still need to take it...