Borrowed from Colleenc'y.


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Egg nog with nutmeg.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Dunno about Santa, but I wrap them. Shawn wraps them with enough tape to insure that it's a serious challenge for me to unwrap them without tearing the paper (it's a thing of mine.)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Tiny, white lights on the tree and large, colored bulbs on the house.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
If I remember to get some.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
A little bit at a time, starting after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Maybe Dad's cranberry relish, although it's really acidic and can only be eaten in small, luscious doses.

7. Favorite Holiday memory:
Hunter's first Christmas. It has nothing really to do about the holiday itself, but we were at Grandma Jo's and Shawn's brother had brought their two Schnauzers with them. Hunter was about 7 months old and soon got over his initial fright; the dogs weren't quite so sure about Hunter.
Anyway, the memory itself was of Hunter sitting in the kitchen on someone's lap and one of the dogs went by and disappeared around the corner. Hunter leaned forward and tried to visually find the dog again. It was the very first indication that I'd seen of his developing the concept of object permanance, and it melted my heart.

As far as Holiday-Specific Memory, I remember watching my younger brother when it was his turn to light the menorah lights, and there was something wonderful about his intent concentration, followed by the family recitation of the familiar prayer: "As one light may kindle many others and yet lose none of its own brightness...."

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Never learned the untruth about Santa (one of the perks about growing up Jewish.) I haven't told Hunter that Santa will bring him presents (although other people have) because I'm just not hip on the idea of lying to my child. It doesn't matter how "magical" the idea of Santa Claus is: eventually, it will lead to disillusionment, and I'd rather Hunter learn about the real magic of love and sharing with others.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
The weird thing is that I could have sworn that Shawn told me that his family celebrated by opening a gift on Christmas Eve, and he denies it. Since I didn't really celebrate Christmas until I met him, I have no idea where I got that idea.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
I like lots of stuff! When we started out, I hit a bunch of after-Christmas sales and stocked up on bunches and bunches of ornaments. Now, I usually just buy commemorative ornaments, like if we go on a trip somewhere. This year, both my parents and I got a bunch of pretty, acrylic and plastic (i.e. unbreakable) ornaments. (1 toddler + 4 cats = well, you do the math.)

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it! Especially now that I have a 4WD.

12. Can you ice skate?
Vaguely. Got my own pair at a yard sale that I haven't had a chance to use yet.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
For some reason, I can't remember what it was, I just remember that Shawn gave it to me and it was absolutely perfect. He's gotten me a lot of really wonderful stuff, ranging from really pretty (but not expensive) jewelry to a talking picture frame where he tells me he loves me to cute T-shirts that are perfect for me. He's pretty nifty.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
People seem nicer to each other in general.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
I made gingerbread cookies from scratch for the first time last year, and they came out really, really well. Mmm....

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Decorating! And playing Christmas music. That's two things. My two favorite holiday traditions are decorating and playing Christmas music. And having friends over for a homemade cookies and cider party. (Can I go out and come back in again?)

17. What tops your tree?
A plush Angel Bear that Shawn won at a Christmas concert at the Sylvia Woods Harp Center one of our first years together.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
Definitely giving, especially if I find a gift that's perfect for someone.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
For some reason, I absolutely love to sing "Silver Bells." I used to sing it to Hunter as a lullaby.

20. Candy Canes?
For decorating the tree and the small bathroon near the utility/laundry room.

21. Cut your own tree, buy it from a lot, or plastic?
Buy it from a lot. I think about getting a living tree, but the ground's usually too cold to plant it afterwards (not to mention I keep forgetting to water plants....)