Christmas Chain Mail

A friend sent me one of those chain mail messages where you have to answer a bunch of questions and then forward via email to all of your friends and family. The letter warns that if I don't respond, I will be a SCROOGE! So rather than responding, I'll just post my answer to the blog. Does this get me out of the SCROOGE curse?

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? We do whatever is easiest based on the size of the gift and the amount of time we have to get it wrapped.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. We bought one when we first got married and we love it. It came pre-lit. It takes some hassle out of the holiday season and we love that a tree doesn't have to die to give us some holiday cheer.

3. When do you put up the tree? Per CJ's childhood tradition, we put it up on Christmas Eve.

4. When do you take the tree down? The plan is on New Years Eve, but I have been known to be a little lazy about this.

5. Do you like eggnog? We both like it if diluted with skim milk. I don't like it enough for the amount of calories it has in it, but will tolerate it in the spirit of holiday fun.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I got a red tent that went over my bed. I was sleeping under that tent for at least 3 years!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Everyone! I really don't like the pressure of holiday gift giving.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Myself of course :) How is that for holiday spirit?

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? In the interest of protecting the "innocent", I can't divulge. But what I can tell you is that CJ gave Sean the worst present he had ever received a few years back. He gave him a styrofoam head that he drew a face on and glued his dog's hair to. The disgusting thing had a full head of hair! The look on Sean's face as he opened the gift was priceless.

11. Mail or email Christmas card? I don't think I've ever successfully gotten Christmas cards out the door to our family! I have a bunch from previous years that didn't make it out the door in time. This year I won't even try...maybe I'll post a Christmas greeting to the blog or something.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Scrooged (Bill Murray) - We have a tradition to watch it every year with Sean and Kendra. The tradition started when CJ and I first met. It is a lot of fun, but usually ends in us all falling asleep partially through it and waking to the annoying "Put a little love in your heart" song.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? We try to shop all year round. We find some good online deals from time to time.

14. Have you ever recycled/re-gifted a Christmas present? Again, to protect the innocent...I refuse to answer. I can tell you that I've been known to re-gift gift certificates from time to time.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? We love summer sausage and cheese. On Christmas Eve, while putting up the tree, we watch "Its a Wonderful Life" and pig out on cheese, crackers, and summer sausage.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? We have white and blue lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I don't have one, but I can tell you what ISN'T my favorite.... "Santa Baby" - Madonna.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? After travelling for Thanksgiving this year, we're excited to stay home.

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Rudolph and then I just make up all of the others. (Blonner, Dickson....)

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning....all of you Christmas Eve openers are cheaters!

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People leaving their Christmas lights and/or decorations up all year long.

22. Best thing about Christmas? A week off of work! :)