Me & my grandpa under the tree
When Holly tagged me for the Holly Jolly Holiday Tag, I was super excited because I love the Christmas season! It is my favorite holiday and truly a time of miracles. People usually get annoyed by my excitement, but whatever…they can’t help being Scrooges, right? 😉
Now for the questions!
1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?
I am a major early bird shopper, basically shopping all year round. I bought my first Christmas gift for 2012 in February. Call me crazy, but the best time to shop is when everything is marked WAY down when holidays end. I usually still pick up a few odds and ends until just before Christmas because I like to spoil my hubby.
2. If you could be in any Christmas movie what would it be?
Hmmm…well, my favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone, but if I could be in any movie it would definitely be Babes in Toyland!
3. Which do you like better: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve! The anticipation of Christmas is always so fun and romantic; my grandparents were married on Christmas Eve, so I’ve always found this day extra special.
4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?
My hubby and I put up our tree usually the day after Thanksgiving. We waited a little longer this year though due to his work schedule/studying for his huge engineering test in April. We always decorate it together. This year was even more fun since my cousin lives with us and his girlfriend was here too!
5. White lights or colored lights?
I love both, but have colored on my tree. I love houses that are decorated with white lights outside, and would love to someday have an all white tree!
6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?
I wait for the surprise, but admit to peeking as a kid sometimes (come on, EVERY KID PEEKS at least once!….sorry, Mom).
7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa’s Workshop?
Definitely Santa’s Workshop!
8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!
Hmmm…well, when I was a kid we would spend time with my mom’s family first, then my dad’s. My uncle always made homemade raviolis and we opened a few presents. On our way back home, my dad would point out the airplane lights and say that was Santa’s sleigh, which I thought was super magical of course. At my grandma’s house, it is/was always the same: a ton of people yelling, singing, someone that nobody knows usually shows up, and we just eat wherever we can find a seat, which usually ends up being the floor. Last year we did shots of blackberry brandy (my grandma’s cure-all) in honor of my grandma who passed away three days before Christmas. After going back home, my parents usually let us open one present before going to bed.
At my house, my husband and I go to mass and have dinner, then we usually watch Home Alone, which is my favorite Christmas movie of all time!
My husband’s family is a bit strict in their traditions to say the least. Everything is planned out. Every year they watch It’s A Wonderful Life, have a bunch of snacks, and go to midnight mass.
9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?
My hubby of course! We actually have a mistletoe in our kitchen.
10. What tops your tree?
A star!
11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?
Yes, thanks to John Denver’s Muppets Christmas album. No, seriously! 🙂 12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a leaping, 9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans a swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. Did you know all of this will cost $107,000?
12. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Yes, nursing homes when I was younger.
13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?
Yes! Only eight days!
14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?
At my grandma’s, she always served the same thing (this hasn’t changed since she died): spaghetti, chicken rice, cheesecake, lemon meringue pie (and a few other pies), sloppy joes, cheesy potatoes, several salads, and ham and rolls. My mom always makes a bunch of baked goods, most notably her sugar cookies. My husband’s family is all about hors d’oeuvres: shrimp cocktail, shrimp dip with Fritos, cheese and crackers, cocktail sausages, and again, cheesy potatoes. As for me, I don’t eat meat so I don’t eat a lot of the stuff that ends up getting served.
15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you’ve grown older?
Christmas is a time for giving and helping others when they need it. We should do that all the time, but I feel like people really take that more seriously when the Christmas season rolls around. It’s definitely a time to celebrate the people that we love, and people who need love.
People I tag!
My BFF, Delina @Discovery of D
My friend Krissy @Viva la KP
horrendous color 