On the 9th Day of Christmas…

Because I, too, truly believe that it’s still Christmas, I thought I’d have some fun with the following meme. (And I do mean have some fun.)

Thank you, Tracy, for having tagged me.

Thank you, and please forgive me.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I can’t see that it really matters, as long as they’re done up prettily. What’s the saying? It’s the thought (and the money you’ve spent) that counts?

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it comes pre-lit. (I’m lazy.)

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually we set up our tree on Gaudete Sunday (the 3rd Sunday in Advent) but this year I caved and did it two weeks early. Lately, though, I’ve been feeling a little Donna Reed-y and I’m thinking next year that we’ll wait ‘til Christmas Eve to set it up. Plus I just like to torture the little ones.

4. When do you take the tree down? We don’t. (I’m really lazy.) Given my response to Question #3, however, I don’t suppose that you believe that. Fine. We take it down on the Feast of Epiphany or shortly thereafter.

5. Do you like eggnog? Does it come with just a touch of whiskey? Then yes, I do.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Jovan Musk cologne and big, poofy pom-poms for my roller skates.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No. I have three.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Oprah.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can’t say that any gift is truly bad (because I’m far too polite–snort–for that), but I can say that my husband has been known to psych me out on several occasions. One year he wrapped up a ghastly not-even-worthy-of-a-flea-market oil painting when my real gift was a camera. (Of course I reacted.) This year he printed out a fake receipt for—of all unnecessary things—a great big countertop water cooler and left it on the printer for me to find. (My real gift was something I really want, thank goodness: a Kitchen Aid stand mixer.) I mean, really. I’m surprised the guy’s still standing.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail. I’m an all-out Christmas card, Christmas postage stamps, Christmas mailing label-type gal. The cards may be late but they will be accessorized!

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life, if not just to hear little Violet quip “What’s wrong with that?” (I was a little Violet.)

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Goodness, I’m supposed to shop? No wonder my extended family has stopped calling…

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Getting a little personal here, aren’t we? Who do you think we bloggers are? When have we been known to (re)gift and tell?

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food, and copious amounts of it. (See #21.)

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Our big, beautiful, pre-lit tree came with clear lights and so that’s what I go with. Frankly, we’ve got so much color going on with all the ornaments that the clear lights provide a nice contrast.

16. Favorite Christmas song? “O Holy Night,” but it has to be sung really well by someone who can hit the high notes. (Who am I to be so judgemental, by the way? It’s not like I could hit the high notes.)

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home on Christmas Eve; travel on Christmas Day. We like to share the love.

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Of course I can. Can’t you?

19. Angel or star on top of the tree? The former. I feel that an angel provides a subtle impetus threat to the children regarding their behavior throughout Advent.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or the following morning? Both, preferably. (I’m a great big greedy goose.) Actually, our family tradition is to do them on Christmas Eve after Mass and supper.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The ten annoying pounds I always gain.

22. Best thing about this time of year? The gift of our redemption. Hands-down.