Christmas Meme

Wrapping paper or gift bags? This year is a mix. I bought several large felt toy bags for the boys this year and I plan on using all of my paper up so I don't have anymore. It feels wasteful each year, so I am going to be paper and tree-friendly from this point on.
Do you have a Nativity scene? Oh yes....On Magnolia Road on Long Island, famous for gaudy Christmas decorations.....there is a house that places a nativity scene where you see Frosty the Snowman and the three wise man. It's great. Tom and I ALWAYS look for Frosty and the Wise Man and talk about snow being the fourth gift.
Do you like eggnog? Not really.
Favorite Christmas movie? Charlie Brown Christmas and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? I mail them. Of course, I used to make cards, but I am resorting to photo cards this year and last year.

Easiest person to buy for? Me?? No, just kidding (sort of). Probably Ian. Definitely not Connor.

Real tree or artificial? I had a real tree once after my brother-in-law and sister-in-law helped us choose and bring one home (inside joke alert: my kid will NEVER have boogers like that!) and it was a mess. We have had fake ones since, all from my wonderful friend Nora, who appeared to have extra trees every year.

Angel or star on the tree top? We have a lopsided star.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? If I think someone else will love and use/cherish it more than I.
Favorite Christmas song? Any of the classics from the Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas CD-our favorite.

Do you travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, I traveled so many Christmases between two and three houses, that I am content to be home for the next several years so my boys can enjoy being in one place. I really didn't like always having to travel, so down goes the foot and home I stay.

White lights or colored on the tree? I actually like white, but we have colored.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Breakfast. I don't like making a huge meal on Christmas anyway, except breakfast.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Friends, I am a music teacher. Amazingly, I haven't sung myself silly yet this year-normally I am sick of holiday music long before Christmas arrives after singing it 8 hours a day. Yes, I absolutely can name all of the reindeer.

When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving or on a day when I am feeling completely off my rocker.

When do you take down the tree? Whenever we get tired of it.

What is your favorite place to go at Christmas? Maybe a walk around the block, otherwise home in my pajamas with my boys.

Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning. But I have to watch everyone open their gifts separately for some annoying reason.

What do I love most about Christmas? Christmas has always been bittersweet for me until I had my boys. I love watching my son's face when the cookies are gone in the morning. I love the meltdowns from present overload. I love finally giving my boys what I longed for and starting new traditions.