A Christmas Questionnaire

Finally....it's Christmas break. Ahhhh...exhale :-) Time to relax and spend time with family. I'm in Florida with my mom and stepdad - we already spent a day on the beach and I've got some color! I feel like I look so much better with a little tan.

But I digress.

On with the Christmas Questionnaire, brought to you by Fabulous in First.

Hot Chocolate or Eggnog? 

Definitely Hot Chocolate. I mean, maybe I'd like Eggnog, but I never really tried it, probably because of the egg part of the eggnog name of it. Sounds strange. If it's cinnamon-y, that reminds me of Horchata. Does it taste like that? (Don't like Horchata.) I'll pass...bring on the Hot Chocolate, and garnish it with a candy cane, please.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them underneath the tree? 

I don't have my own kiddos yet, but when we were little, Santa wrapped our presents and put them under the tree. But he always had his own special paper that was different than my family's paper. So it seemed legit.

Colored lights or white? 

I think we've always had white lights. And now, my own tree, I also have white lights. Here's my tree:

So I used to have a themed tree - with all these pink decorations. But, ever since I moved to Chicago, I've been going to the Christkindlmarket and getting ornaments every year. Well then this year, my best friend sent me this:

We're going to Europe next summer, so I loved this ornament. So now I think I'm going to forego the themed tree and just collect lots of cute ornaments inspired by memories every year. One of my other best friends got me a really cute Chicago one, too. (Since I'm in Florida, I don't have a pic, but trust me....totes adorbs!) Oh - and the one I picked for myself: Sushi. I started liking it this year, so it was perfect (and glittery!)

So to answer the question: White lights :-)

When do you decorate? 

The weekend after Thanksgiving is my favorite time to do so. That's the usual, but this year, I spent Thanksgiving in Phoenix, so I waited another whole week. I don't have lots of decorations - just the tree and well, really that's all. 

Real or Fake Tree? 

I don't think we've ever had a real tree. I have a fake one now, but this season I was thinking it would be cool to go out to the country, pick one that was growing on a tree farm, and cut it down. I don't think I'd ever buy a tree from some little sales guy in the city...so my fake tree is good until I can make it out to the country.

What Tops Your Tree?

A bow. But, I just read this book:

Have you read it? It's a great story! Anyways, in their story, one family in this little Appalachian town has to donate a Christmas tree to the town church every year. The child from the family who donates the tree gets to be the Angel in the church's play that year. The little girl is so cute and she's the angel, and a matching angel is put atop the tree. Anyways, just in initial thoughts right now, but I think I'm going to be on the lookout for an angel for the top of the tree.

Favorite Christmas Memories or Traditions?

I love making Christmas cards and sending them out. I started doing this the year I moved to Chicago - in 2009. Here is my first card from 2009 and this year's card:

2009

and this year's card :-)

Last year I started writing notes on the back of them too, just to fill family and friends in on what's been going on the last year. I guess most people can follow me via facebook, but it's still a good tradition either way!

Do you remember your favorite gift as a child? 

Not really, but I do remember this picture I had of all my gifts one year - I was probably like 6 or something - but I had set all my gifts upright on the couch and taken a picture. There was a Popple in there (remember those?) and a little purse with some kind of cartoon character on it? I think I also got a glo-worm one year that I loved.

Do prefer giving or receiving? 

I really love to find the best gifts for people and then watch their reactions as they open them. Now that I'm an adult though, most of my favorite family and friends live far away, but it's still cool to get them gifts and then get a text saying that a box just arrived and is under their tree.

What is your favorite Christmas song? 

Okay don't judge me, but I love all the poppy Christmas songs - like Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by N*Sync and All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. I also love any of the songs associated with Home Alone. Love that movie!

Gotta love a young JT!

Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum? 

They're pretty good. Chocolate and peppermint candy is some of my favorite, so if you can find a way to mix it, that would be awesome.

Favorite Christmas Movie? 

In addition to Home Alone, love Elf. Still trying to talk someone into watching it with me!

Do you shop online or at stores?

Well, I love to go to stores to shop, but I was so busy this year with finishing up a semester of grad school and work and friends visiting. Plus, the traffic in Chicago is a nightmare, so I shopped lots online this year. I like both...especially when there's time to get out to the stores.

Photo Cards, Letter or Store Bought Card? 

Photo cards, of course! I hope there are more cards waiting for me when I get home - seems like it was a slow year for cards this year!

Merry Christmas Blogging Friends! Hope you enjoy all your time with your family and friends!