Sally (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shiredancer) wrote2007-12-30 01:33 pm
shiredancer) wrote2007-12-30 01:33 pm
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The Christmas Meme (late...)
So, ummm, here's that meme that went around a couple of weeks ago... yeah, I'm late *g*. But still! For what it's worth,
Christmas Meme
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both, and homemade cloth bags that my younger sister gives us each year too. It depends on the size/shape of the gift -- boxes get wrapped in paper, awkward or large things get put in cloth bags, and in-between things in store-bought paper gift bags.
2. Real or Artificial tree?
Always real! I'm the only one in the family who still goes out to buy a real tree anymore.
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as I can after the start of December, usually the second weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Epiphany or Twelfth Night, January 6. Or earlier if it gets dangerously dry.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Not the real stuff like my mother used to make... blechhh! I like the store-bought stuff in the carton, preferably a light variety. Horizon Light is yummy. I don't like any alcohol in it, either.
6. Favorite gift you received as a child?
I was around 6, or 7, or 8 -- anyway, it was the really magical period of my childhood when we were living in snowy Connecticut, and I received the beautiful, life-like baby doll I had been hugging every time we visited Toyland at the Groton Naval Base. I still have her, sitting up in my book loft. She has straight (not the usual curly) blonde hair and blue eyes, and came in a pink-flowered and satin-edged nightie, covered with a little hooded jacket, and wrapped up in a bunting. That was awe-inspiring enough, but she was sitting on top of the most amazing miniature nurse's pushcart, with all sorts of toy nursing implements, and a nurse's cape and hat to top it off, literally. I was reading the Cherry Ames mystery books then and wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. At first I was stunned that this amazing set of gifts was all for me. It's the only time I remember actually having my mouth drop open and just standing there in disbelief. *Glows*
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Hee! Yes, my parents' old set that I grew up with. When they got a shiny new creche, I asked for it and they gave it to me as a gift that Christmas. The manger is made of sturdy cardboard, and they bought it for 25 cents at Woolworth's. I love it because the background has a beautiful scene of the stable receding back, with the animals peeking out -- very well-done. There's a hole at the top to put a lightbulb, and a cut out star shape in front of it so it gives a 1940s-era impression of starlight. The figures are ceramic, and my dad (who has strong artistic ability, though he was never able to do anything with it) had painted them himself when they were old and fading. Some of the colors are rather alarming, and the facial features are a bit cock-eyed, but I cherish them.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Just about everybody in my family, these days! It seems like we all have more of everything than we can possibly need or use. And food gifts are hard because of so many different dietary restrictions as we get older... sheesh. It's gotten to where we ask for gift cards, which is practical but seems less caring.
9. Easiest people to buy for?
Kidlet and Peter.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Guess I put it right out of my mind, because I can't remember any. I'm grateful for any gift I receive, anyway, so don't tend to think like that.
11. Christmas Cards
I try, really I do. They usually turn out to be New Year's cards (as will happen this year, I hope).
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Just about all versions of A Christmas Carol, although the Muppet version and the Alistair Sims version are the favorites. And I have to watch It's A Wonderful Life or it just isn't Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Most of it's in the last week before Christmas, but if I can make it to the annual World Marketplace at our natural history museum the first weekend of December, then I can start early.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present?
Nope. If I don't like 'em, I give 'em to the thrift store.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
The spinach lasagne and saffron risotto I make for my annual holiday luncheon, and the mashed potato casserole and green bean casserole we have for Christmas Day dinner.
16. Clear lights or colored or both on the tree?
Colored looks the most festive. White or clear lights are pretty, but seem formal and sophisticated.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
The Holly and the Ivy and Good King Wenceslas and Il E Ne (sp?) and Do You Hear What I Hear?
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We have our little family Christmas on the 23rd and light all our candles and listen to the music; Kidlet gets a stocking the next morning (and so do the pets). Then we spend every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my folks' house, an hour south of us.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
Oh, of course! "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen; on Comet, on Cupid, on Dunder (or Donner) and Blitzen!" And Rudolph, naturally.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
A star, with a little elf hanging on just below it.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Christmas morning only!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The stress.
23. Favourite Christmas tradition?
Baking, wrapping, being together, sometimes going out to see holiday light displays. Walking out in the wee hours of Christmas morning (after wrapping the last gifts, or maybe after midnight church) to see the stars. Listening to my mom reading "The Night Before Christmas" with my family. Kidlet's and Peter's singing events.
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays?
None.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration?
We used to always attend midnight church (Episcopal), but haven't in several years -- I was finding it too hard to stay awake, and there's nobody left that we know at my folks' church anymore. No point if there's not a sense of community to it, although sometimes I'm in the mood to revive the tradition somehow.
Christmas Meme
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Both, and homemade cloth bags that my younger sister gives us each year too. It depends on the size/shape of the gift -- boxes get wrapped in paper, awkward or large things get put in cloth bags, and in-between things in store-bought paper gift bags.
2. Real or Artificial tree?
Always real! I'm the only one in the family who still goes out to buy a real tree anymore.
3. When do you put up the tree?
As soon as I can after the start of December, usually the second weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down?
Epiphany or Twelfth Night, January 6. Or earlier if it gets dangerously dry.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Not the real stuff like my mother used to make... blechhh! I like the store-bought stuff in the carton, preferably a light variety. Horizon Light is yummy. I don't like any alcohol in it, either.
6. Favorite gift you received as a child?
I was around 6, or 7, or 8 -- anyway, it was the really magical period of my childhood when we were living in snowy Connecticut, and I received the beautiful, life-like baby doll I had been hugging every time we visited Toyland at the Groton Naval Base. I still have her, sitting up in my book loft. She has straight (not the usual curly) blonde hair and blue eyes, and came in a pink-flowered and satin-edged nightie, covered with a little hooded jacket, and wrapped up in a bunting. That was awe-inspiring enough, but she was sitting on top of the most amazing miniature nurse's pushcart, with all sorts of toy nursing implements, and a nurse's cape and hat to top it off, literally. I was reading the Cherry Ames mystery books then and wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. At first I was stunned that this amazing set of gifts was all for me. It's the only time I remember actually having my mouth drop open and just standing there in disbelief. *Glows*
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Hee! Yes, my parents' old set that I grew up with. When they got a shiny new creche, I asked for it and they gave it to me as a gift that Christmas. The manger is made of sturdy cardboard, and they bought it for 25 cents at Woolworth's. I love it because the background has a beautiful scene of the stable receding back, with the animals peeking out -- very well-done. There's a hole at the top to put a lightbulb, and a cut out star shape in front of it so it gives a 1940s-era impression of starlight. The figures are ceramic, and my dad (who has strong artistic ability, though he was never able to do anything with it) had painted them himself when they were old and fading. Some of the colors are rather alarming, and the facial features are a bit cock-eyed, but I cherish them.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Just about everybody in my family, these days! It seems like we all have more of everything than we can possibly need or use. And food gifts are hard because of so many different dietary restrictions as we get older... sheesh. It's gotten to where we ask for gift cards, which is practical but seems less caring.
9. Easiest people to buy for?
Kidlet and Peter.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Guess I put it right out of my mind, because I can't remember any. I'm grateful for any gift I receive, anyway, so don't tend to think like that.
11. Christmas Cards
I try, really I do. They usually turn out to be New Year's cards (as will happen this year, I hope).
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Just about all versions of A Christmas Carol, although the Muppet version and the Alistair Sims version are the favorites. And I have to watch It's A Wonderful Life or it just isn't Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Most of it's in the last week before Christmas, but if I can make it to the annual World Marketplace at our natural history museum the first weekend of December, then I can start early.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present?
Nope. If I don't like 'em, I give 'em to the thrift store.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
The spinach lasagne and saffron risotto I make for my annual holiday luncheon, and the mashed potato casserole and green bean casserole we have for Christmas Day dinner.
16. Clear lights or colored or both on the tree?
Colored looks the most festive. White or clear lights are pretty, but seem formal and sophisticated.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
The Holly and the Ivy and Good King Wenceslas and Il E Ne (sp?) and Do You Hear What I Hear?
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We have our little family Christmas on the 23rd and light all our candles and listen to the music; Kidlet gets a stocking the next morning (and so do the pets). Then we spend every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at my folks' house, an hour south of us.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
Oh, of course! "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen; on Comet, on Cupid, on Dunder (or Donner) and Blitzen!" And Rudolph, naturally.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
A star, with a little elf hanging on just below it.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Christmas morning only!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The stress.
23. Favourite Christmas tradition?
Baking, wrapping, being together, sometimes going out to see holiday light displays. Walking out in the wee hours of Christmas morning (after wrapping the last gifts, or maybe after midnight church) to see the stars. Listening to my mom reading "The Night Before Christmas" with my family. Kidlet's and Peter's singing events.
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays?
None.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration?
We used to always attend midnight church (Episcopal), but haven't in several years -- I was finding it too hard to stay awake, and there's nobody left that we know at my folks' church anymore. No point if there's not a sense of community to it, although sometimes I'm in the mood to revive the tradition somehow.