Getting to Know Me -- Christmas Edition

I was tagged by The Editrix! Christmas happens to be my favorite time of year, so how could I pass up a "Christmas Tag"? *smile*
Here I go...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper! I love spending time with my family (those of whose gifts are not out.) while wrapping presents...the fire crackling, the Christmas Tree glowing and sparkling, ribbons, scissors, decorative paper and tape scattered about. Various gift boxes are piled up nearby and smiles light up every face as Harry Connick Jr. plays softly in the background. Beside me is a steaming cup of hot cocoa topped with a generous helping of whipped cream and peppermint flavoring. *yummy* Stuffing gift bags just doesn't give one those same delightful feelings. Dost thou not agree? :-)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I always thought that having a "real" tree would be exciting, but as I've never had one I can't say. Artificial has always worked well enough for us...and at least I can be sure there are no creatures and/or bugs hiding in its branches. :-) Someday I'd like to try out a real tree, methinks.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after the day after Thanksgiving. :-) We generally set it up directly after Thanksgiving, but this year, due to Black Friday shopping, we had to abstain and commence the following day. :-)

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in January, I believe.

5. Do you like egg nog? Yes. In moderation, mind you. After a while you just feel absolutely stuffed...egg nog is a bit too thick in my mind, but I still savor the delicious taste of it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My American girl doll, I think. I got "Felicity" when I was...oh...9 or so. I had wanted her so badly for a good while and then when I received her from Mom and Dad on Christmas morning, I was simply thrilled to pieces! :-)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! Several, actually. I personally own a Precious Moments set, and my parents have a gorgeous antique-ish looking one. :-)

8. Hardest person to buy for? My parents, I think. Not because I don't know what they want, but because I have sooo many ideas of what to get them but cannot decide between the several. lol.

9. Easiest person to buy for? William. He would enjoy anything I got him. Even a tea set. Of course, he would use it as cannon balls or something, but still. Hehe. At least it would come into use. :-D lol...

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both! Mail is preferable though as I love looking through old Christmas cards that have been so sweetly bestowed upon me. It's this special feeling that emails can't give, I guess. But email's tend to be cheaper and as money doesn't grow on trees anywhere near me, I have to generally resort to emails.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I won't say on here as it was rather embarrassing...*cough*

:-)

12. Favorite Christmas movie(s) ? That's a hard decision! But here's a few, "White Christmas", "The Nativity Story", "It's A Wonderful Life" and "The Ultimate Gift"!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I think maybe once or twice.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Dark and White Chocolate Swirled Macadamia Nut Bark. *happy sigh* Nothing has yet beaten it. :-)

16. Clear or colored Christmas lights? Clear on the Christmas tree (well, they have these "flash" settings on them, though...) and colored outside on the deck and in my room!! :-)

17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? TOO many to count! But here's a few,

"For Unto Us A Child Is Born" (Handel's...of course. :-))
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (Andy Williams)
"Home for the Holidays" (Perry Como)
"Joy to the World"
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" (Third Day)
"Bethlehem Dawn" (Todd Agnew)
"Two Thousand Decembers Ago" (Joy Williams)
"What Child is This?" (Caedmon's Call)
"Sleigh Ride" (Diana Krall)
"Let it Snow!" (Michael Buble)
"Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella"
"I Saw Three Ships"
"The Twelve Days of Christmas"
"The Holly and the Ivy" (Bing Crosby)
"Here We Come A-Wassailing"
"O Come O Come Emmanuel"
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Newsong)
"Winter Wonderland"
"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" (Perry Como)
"Feliz Navidad" (So I'm from Texas...*grin*)
"Little Drummer Boy" (Josh Groban)
"The Christmas Waltz" (Michael W. Smith)
and lastly, "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" (Frank Sinatra...of course. :-))

Well, hehe, it did ask for my favorite song(s)!! :-D

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home!! Though if I was traveling to spend Christmas with my family then that would be an absolutely different matter all together.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Dixon, Comit and Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph! (Not sure if I got them all. Hehe.)

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have an angel on the top of ours! But I like both. :-)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Some on Christmas Eve (ornaments and pajamas) and then the rest on Christmas morning!

.22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When the roads are too icy for our friends and Church family to get together with us. :( And I absolutely hate it when people at stores and such greet me with a "Happy Holidays". I always make sure to answer them with an enthusiastic "Merry Christmas!" :-)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love my family's tree which is decorated in the colors of gold and a deep red (almost maroon). We have crosses, stars, golden balls and such.

24. Favorite dinner for Christmas? I can't quite decide. I hardly notice what I'm eating as I'm generally just so thrilled about the day. :-)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Love, Joy, Peace and Happiness! What else? :-D And to see my Sister, Brother in law and Nephew! :-) I'm so excited that we get to be all together for the Christmas season! Is there any felicity in the world superior to that?

26. Do you bake lots of goodies during the holidays? Yes! We make Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bark, Pine Nut Brittle, Truffles, Snowballs, Pralines, Cheescakes, homemade egg nog...(the list goes on.).

27. Do you decorate different rooms of your home? Just the Living Room. We used to decorate the upstairs balcony with garlands, beads and lights, but we haven't done it yet this year.

28. What decorations do you put outside? Only lights on our deck, usually (and they looks so festive to me!). I was never really "into" those inflatable Santa Claus Figures. Sorry. :-)

29. How do you spend Christmas Eve? With my family. When we lived in Texas we spent it with my extended family, but as we are now in Illinois we either spend it as a family or with a family from Church that also doesn't have relatives in Illinois! :-) The older ones of us generally stay up late, enjoying some snacks and such while having a good old late night chat. :-)

30. Is Christmas your favorite holiday? Yes, without a doubt! Christmas, Easter and the Fourth of July rank as my top three favorites. Then, of course, comes Valentine's Day, May Day, Epiphany (Twelfth Night), New Years Eve, etc. :-)

I tag anyone and everyone! :-)

Oh, and as an aside, if you have not seen the film, "The Nativity Story", you truly should do so this Christmas. HERE is my (rather short) review of the movie that I wrote when it first came out in theatres.

Have a very blessed Christmas season this year, y'all!! And though it is said too often to count, remember not to forget the real reason for the Season...Jesus!

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of ,there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it,
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."
-Isaiah 9:6-7

In Christ Alone,

Jessica