A CHRISTMAS TAG
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper! It's way more fun to rip off.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I used to be a die-hard fan of real, but when we ended up with a free fake one (Ryan likes to say we stole it) that is really quite pretty, I sure am happy to not have to shell out $40+ every year. And I don't have to water it, saw off the bottom 3 inches, or make sure it's standing straight in the holder.

3. When do you put up the tree? First chance after Thanksgiving. That's another nice thing about fake trees. You can put them up early and don't have to worry about it drying out.

4. Do you like eggnog? Eeeew! That would be a no.

5. Favorite gift received as a child? Toby. He was the cutest little seal-point Siamese kitten! I mean, who actually gets a kitten for Christmas? I did! And he was the sweetest cat ever.

6. Hardest person to buy for? In general, men. The stuff they really like is so expensive. ATV's, barbeques, football tickets, power tools, etc. A $5 candle just doesn't cut it with men. It's also difficult to shop for people who are in transition, i.e. my SIL who's in Korea for the next few months, then will be moving to Germany. Or a few years ago, my parents, who were in El Salvador on missions. What do you buy people who have a weight limit on their stuff?

7. Easiest person to buy for? My kids. I could buy them billions of toys and they'd be happy. Actually, I have to restrain myself so I don't buy them billions of toys!

8. Do you have a nativity scene? Ryan laughed at me because I have so many. Not really. I think I have 5-6. Two are from Brazil. One is from El Salvador. One is from the dollar store, but I painted it in high school.

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mostly mail, but last minute and people I don't know well get it by email.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I'm gonna plead the 5th on this one.

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Either the ORIGINAL Grinch or Charlie Brown Christmas. A Christmas Story is always fun, too.

12. When do you start shopping? I don't think I really have a set time. Sometimes I'm done by Thanksgiving, other times I'm scrambling to finish it all up mid-December.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't know. But if someone else would like something better than I did, why not?

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Sugar Cookies with lots of frosting!!!

15. Lights on the tree? White

16. Favorite Christmas song? This one's hard because I love everything that isn't hip-hop or rap. In general, Oh Holy Night and Angels We Have Heard on High. But it's just not Christmas without The Carpenters, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, and Harry Connick, Jr.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I love to stay at home, but I also love to be with family. Maybe they should all come to my house?

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course! And it's Donder, not Donner, people!

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have an angel, but I wish it were somehow illuminated like so many stars are. She's pretty, though.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas morning.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Feeling compelled to give people gifts. I don't especially love being assigned family members to give gifts to, but it's a lot better than trying to shop for everyone!

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? Color: Red Theme: Snowflakes

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not a big fan of meat, as most of you know, so my favorite Christmas-time meal (whether it gets served Christmas Eve or Christmas Day) that my family started (meaning my parents and siblings) is hoagies, potato chips and onion dip, and Dream Salad. Mmmmm!

I tag Lora, Melanie, Renée, and Kat, although I'd love to hear everyone else answer, too!