Second Initial

Christmas Fun

Says Chris:

I received this e-mail from a neighbor. It’s one of those things where you read their answers, then fill in your own and pass it on to the people you’d like to hear back from.

Please feel free to leave your own answers in the comments, or post to your own blog and link to it in the comments. Merry Christmas!

So here’s mine:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Not particularly fond of egg nog. Don’t hate it, but don’t crave it. So hot chocolate it is.

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?

Always wrapped.

3. Colored or white lights?

Can go either way. Mom always had colored on the tree while growing up, so that’s what I’m most accustomed to, but she’s done white the past few years and it’s looked nice. I think she’s going back to colored this year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

The only person with whom I’d care to be caught standing under mistletoe doesn’t need such silly representations of Christmas lore to be an excuse to kiss me.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

In my youth, things went up the Friday (or the weekend, at the latest) after Thanksgiving and came down the weekend after New Year’s. That tradition has waned a little in recent years.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

Mom’s turkey I’d have to say tops the list.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

There’d been little bits of snow in central Florida back in…1977 I think. Not at Christmas day, but in January. Whatever the year, the following Christmas, my brother and I conspired to wake up before my parents, sneak out to the living room, and holler, “Mom! Dad! Come out here! It’s snowing again!” When they came out, we both were standing in the living room with our presents to them and just said “Merry Christmas” with, of course, perfect little angel faces smeared across our heads!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I truly have absolutely no idea.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Once in a while. Nothing traditional about it.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

For a number of reasons, I’ve never put one up in my place, but I can answer regarding my parents’ tree. As mentioned above, my mom used to do colored lights. They went along with all manner of personalized/family ornaments. Recent years has seen her doing themed trees with white lights, red ribbons, and other matching decorations. This year, I think she told me she’s going back to the traditional decorations.

11. Snow: Love it or hate it?

Hate it. Why do you think I stay in Florida? It’s slushy, makes getting around hard, it kills grass, it causes accidents, it leaves black crap all over the roads, and it’s monochrome. I like color.

12. Can you ice skate?

I can stay up, but I’m only barely past beginner level.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I’ve had enough well-received gifts that no single one stands out as a favorite.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Being with my family.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Never having had much of a sweet tooth (you can ask my mom), there’s never been a hands-down favorite dessert. But I will say that I enjoy a well-made pumpkin pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Christmas eve dinner was, for many years, a large platter of deli meats, cheeses, crackers, etc., that we ate in front of the Christmas tree. Haven’t done this in a while, and I’m not exactly sure why not.

17. What is on top of your tree?

Growing up, I seem to recall a lighted star, but mom’s using an angel these days.

18. Which do you like best giving or receiving?

This is a loaded question. The most honest answer is both, equally.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I’m rather fond of certain versions of O, Holy NIght. But moreso, there’s a particular sound, and I don’t even have any idea how to describe it. There are certain songs that just seem to sound drenched in the holiday sound. In fact, what most would consider different genres of song styles can all still have that same type of sound I can’t describe. For example: Jingle Bells and Christmas Waltz from Michael W. Smith’s “Christmastime” album, Winter Wonderland from Amy Grant’s “Home for Christmas” album, All I Want For Christmas Is You from Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas” album, O Little Town of Bethlehem from Peter White’s “Songs of the Season” album, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Christina Aguilera’s “My Kind of Christmas” album. All of these have that certain sound that does it for me.

20. Do you like candy canes?

Can take ’em or leave ’em

21. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Like Chris, technically not a movie—but I watch Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live every year. I’ve actually attended a concert once and hope to go again soon.

» Posted by ALBj at 02:32 AM (ET)
Category: Journal, Musings

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