Oy, I've been tagged -- sort of!

I was reading the blogs on my bloglines and came across one that had a meme on it and when I got to the end of the blog posting it said, "if you've reached number 25, consider yourself tagged!"

Ok, so I did read the whole thing so, obviously, I thought it was worth reading....so here it is, with MY answers. But I'm not going to tag anyone. If you want to do it, then Yuletide Cool; if not, that's fine, too.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I LOVE wrapping paper, ribbons, AND gift tags!

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. We were given an artificial tree by my sister, Denise, who said that when she and her husband put up this artificial tree for the first time they had a horrible fight (it was hard to figure out the directions) and they vowed to never put it up again, so they gave it to us. We love it, and have used it every year for the past 3 or 4 years.

3. When do you put up your tree? It varies a lot. Sometimes early in December; one year when we were still buying fresh trees and the boys were with us and we had just moved we didn't get a tree until Christmas Eve. I like to put up our artificial tree as early as possible, to enjoy it the longest.

4. Do you like eggnog? NO. But my husband and both my boys DO! So I'm the odd person out.

5. Favorite gift received as a child? A hand-sewn teddy bear with button eyes that I named Christopher. I will never forget him! I was about 8 or 9 and I will love him forever. My mom bought him at a church bazaar.

6. Worst christmas gift ever received? I can't think of one that I didn't like.....!

7. Hardest person to buy for? My husband. He just doesn't need anything, and he never seems to WANT anything either!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My parents; I love to think of something extra special for them!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Amazingly, no. I need to rectify that because I love the whole story of the Savior in the humble Manger.

10. Mail or email christmas cards? MAIL!!! Even if we email and/or text each other all through the year, a Christmas card must be something you can hold in your hands and see your friends or family member's handwriting, and know they took precious time out of their busy lives to write it and send it. It is so much more meaningful, like spending time with someone as opposed to just sending a gift.

11. Favorite christmas movie? Hands-down: "It's a Wonderful Life." It's not Christmas without it!

12. When do you start christmas shopping? That varies a lot. One year I actually started in July! ONE year! Usually I start handmade gifts in September, and I start buying gifts in November. It's always a rush. I love to go out and find the perfect gift for people; it's an unfortunate fact of life that the process is usually rushed; that's why I prefer birthdays for gifts!

13. Have you ever recycled a christmas present? No.

14. Favorite thing to eat at christmas? I have to say chocolate-covered cherries. Since they were small, my boys always got me a box at Christmas because they know how much I love them. I still do!

15. Lights on the tree? Absolutely!! We always put lights on our tree. I love to turn off all the lights in the house and just enjoy the lights on the tree, and the fireplace.

16. Favorite christmas song? "Little Drummer Boy." I also love "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

17. Travel or stay home? I love to be at home, but will travel in special circumstances, like this year we have been invited by our older son and his new bride to spend Christmas in their home. Can't pass that up!

18. Can you name all of santa's reindeer? Of course, can't everyone??? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen!

19. Angel or star? I prefer Angel, but we have a star; must do something about that this year!

20. Open presents christmas morning or eve? Always in the morning. When the boys were small they always got jammies, which they opened Christmas Eve and wore that night. I miss those days!

21. Favorite ornament theme or color? We like green and white, or blue and white, on our house. I like all-white lights on the tree because it reminds me of snow. I don't have a favorite ornament theme, unless you consider hodge-podge, whatever-the-boys-made-when-they-were-little a Theme!

22. Favorite place for christmas dinner? Wherever my Family is.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I hate getting caught up in the advertisers' web of you-must-buy-this-or-your-recipient-won't-be-happy trap. Christmas is about spending time together, reconnecting with loved ones, and I hope (especially this year) we can remember that.

24. What do you want for christmas this year? I already bought some "holiday clothes," so I don't need anything more. I want everyone in my family to be happy and content with their lives, as I am.