1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
This is a hard one…I actually really love both, but egg nog is really only available this time of year, so during the holidays it’s probably my favorite!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa WRAPS the presents and then sets them in neat little piles for the individual receiver on the couch.
Santa WRAPS the presents and then sets them in neat little piles for the individual receiver on the couch.
3. Colored or white lights on the tree/house?
I used to not really care…but now I definitely prefer white lights.
I used to not really care…but now I definitely prefer white lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but I should!
No, but I should!
5. When do you hang up your decorations?
Sometime after Thanksgiving. We got our tree last week (on December 4th)…a week and a half after Thanksgiving…not bad, considering I sometimes went home for Christmas break while at BYU and my mom still didn’t have the tree up! (Sorry mom….)
Sometime after Thanksgiving. We got our tree last week (on December 4th)…a week and a half after Thanksgiving…not bad, considering I sometimes went home for Christmas break while at BYU and my mom still didn’t have the tree up! (Sorry mom….)
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Definitely the "Christmas Morning Casserole" we used to eat every year at my Grandma Johnson’s house. Christmas morning still wouldn’t be the same without it!
Definitely the "Christmas Morning Casserole" we used to eat every year at my Grandma Johnson’s house. Christmas morning still wouldn’t be the same without it!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I always really loved Christmas Eve and everything associated with it! Singing carols, reading a Christmas story, driving around looking at lights, and sleeping in new pajamas! Christmas morning was also SO MAGICAL…I LOVED waking up and looking at all the presents on the couches wanting to rip them all open, but not wanting it to be over. I loved that my family always took turns opening presents…it helped stretch out the anticipation. The year Joe and I dated was also one of my favorite Christmas years. He came to California with me, then flew home on Christmas Eve. I did the 12 Days of Christmas for him, and he gave me a bunch of my "favorite things." We talked hypothetically about marriage on the phone on Christmas day...I was so giddy afterwards...my family probably hated my annoying-ness, but it was really fun to imagine my future life WITH someone.
I always really loved Christmas Eve and everything associated with it! Singing carols, reading a Christmas story, driving around looking at lights, and sleeping in new pajamas! Christmas morning was also SO MAGICAL…I LOVED waking up and looking at all the presents on the couches wanting to rip them all open, but not wanting it to be over. I loved that my family always took turns opening presents…it helped stretch out the anticipation. The year Joe and I dated was also one of my favorite Christmas years. He came to California with me, then flew home on Christmas Eve. I did the 12 Days of Christmas for him, and he gave me a bunch of my "favorite things." We talked hypothetically about marriage on the phone on Christmas day...I was so giddy afterwards...my family probably hated my annoying-ness, but it was really fun to imagine my future life WITH someone.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
This is probably really weird, but I have no idea how or when I learned. Knowing my sister, she probably told me right after she found out. I just remember my mom telling me that we still had to believe so that the magic wouldn’t end!
This is probably really weird, but I have no idea how or when I learned. Knowing my sister, she probably told me right after she found out. I just remember my mom telling me that we still had to believe so that the magic wouldn’t end!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We always get a new pair of Pajamas…still!
We always get a new pair of Pajamas…still!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
After Joe and I first got married, I worked for American Insurance. Every year the office gets a tree, then a few days before Christmas, you enter a drawing for the items you want off the tree. The year I worked there, I won the tree skirt and star that goes on top. After the drawing, there were still tons of wooden star ornaments, berry balls, cinnamon sticks, red beaded hearts, angels, and bells. When no one else claimed them, I did! So…thanks to American Insurance, we still have a really cute tree designed by someone else!
After Joe and I first got married, I worked for American Insurance. Every year the office gets a tree, then a few days before Christmas, you enter a drawing for the items you want off the tree. The year I worked there, I won the tree skirt and star that goes on top. After the drawing, there were still tons of wooden star ornaments, berry balls, cinnamon sticks, red beaded hearts, angels, and bells. When no one else claimed them, I did! So…thanks to American Insurance, we still have a really cute tree designed by someone else!
11. Snow? Love it or dread it?
I definitely DREAD driving in it, but I love looking at it and occasionally playing in it. I love sitting by the window in the middle of a big snowstorm watching it fall. After January, however, I’m ready for it to be gone. We've had TWO big snowstorms in the last ten days. After each of these, I've had to call Joe. The first time I couldn't pull into the garage...I thought I was going to run into the house every time I tried. Yesterday I got stuck trying to pull into the driveway! Poor Joe...it's going to be a long winter! I HATED winter in Finland. It was so cold one time that my eyelashes froze. I looked at my companion and thought she'd thrown snow on her face because her hair and eyelashes were white. We both laughed at how ridiculously cold we were and how ridiculous we looked. Wintertime in Utah is much more bearable and pleasant!
I definitely DREAD driving in it, but I love looking at it and occasionally playing in it. I love sitting by the window in the middle of a big snowstorm watching it fall. After January, however, I’m ready for it to be gone. We've had TWO big snowstorms in the last ten days. After each of these, I've had to call Joe. The first time I couldn't pull into the garage...I thought I was going to run into the house every time I tried. Yesterday I got stuck trying to pull into the driveway! Poor Joe...it's going to be a long winter! I HATED winter in Finland. It was so cold one time that my eyelashes froze. I looked at my companion and thought she'd thrown snow on her face because her hair and eyelashes were white. We both laughed at how ridiculously cold we were and how ridiculous we looked. Wintertime in Utah is much more bearable and pleasant!
12. Real tree or fake tree?
Growing up it was always real. I loved going out and picking the tree, then coming home and listening to Christmas music while decorating it. Joe and I still get a real tree, but we’re thinking that this year we might check out the after-Christmas sales and get a fake one. I have a mistletoe candle that smells just as good as the real one, anyway!
Growing up it was always real. I loved going out and picking the tree, then coming home and listening to Christmas music while decorating it. Joe and I still get a real tree, but we’re thinking that this year we might check out the after-Christmas sales and get a fake one. I have a mistletoe candle that smells just as good as the real one, anyway!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The year Kimberly got Dutchess was probably one of the most fun years…we all carried her around showing her off all day long. I think I got a bike that year…that was really cool, too. When Joe and I were first married, my parents gave us some really nice down feather pillows…I was really excited. The year I got the ski clothes was great, too. A few years ago Joe gave me "Karaoke Revolution" for X-Box. We sat around in our pajamas for a few hours playing…it was great (until we had to rush to get ready for church—Christmas was on Sunday—and realized that the water had been shut off in our whole apartment complex…we rushed to my parents’ house to shower and still miraculously made it on time).
The year Kimberly got Dutchess was probably one of the most fun years…we all carried her around showing her off all day long. I think I got a bike that year…that was really cool, too. When Joe and I were first married, my parents gave us some really nice down feather pillows…I was really excited. The year I got the ski clothes was great, too. A few years ago Joe gave me "Karaoke Revolution" for X-Box. We sat around in our pajamas for a few hours playing…it was great (until we had to rush to get ready for church—Christmas was on Sunday—and realized that the water had been shut off in our whole apartment complex…we rushed to my parents’ house to shower and still miraculously made it on time).
14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Being with family. I love the hustle and bustle BEFORE Christmas, but I really love when the day actually comes, the shopping is done, presents are wrapped, and we can remember what Christmas is really all about!
Being with family. I love the hustle and bustle BEFORE Christmas, but I really love when the day actually comes, the shopping is done, presents are wrapped, and we can remember what Christmas is really all about!
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
CHOCOLATE!
CHOCOLATE!
16. What is your favorite tradition?
Starting sometime mid-November, Joe and I watch a Christmas movie every Sunday night. This started when we were dating and has sort of continued. Joe gets really into the Christmas spirit early on…it makes the season really fun for me!
Starting sometime mid-November, Joe and I watch a Christmas movie every Sunday night. This started when we were dating and has sort of continued. Joe gets really into the Christmas spirit early on…it makes the season really fun for me!
17. What tops your tree?
A cute wooden star (compliments of American Insurance)
A cute wooden star (compliments of American Insurance)
18. Which do you prefer…giving or receiving?
I honestly love both. I love receiving stuff that I know a lot of thought has gone into. I also really love finding (or making) the "perfect" gift for people and watching their reactions.
I honestly love both. I love receiving stuff that I know a lot of thought has gone into. I also really love finding (or making) the "perfect" gift for people and watching their reactions.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I love "O Holy Night", "Silent Night", and "Away in a Manger". More contemporary favorites would have to include "So This Is Christmas" by Sarah McLachlan, "Prayer of the Children" by Kurt Bestor, and MANY more!
I love "O Holy Night", "Silent Night", and "Away in a Manger". More contemporary favorites would have to include "So This Is Christmas" by Sarah McLachlan, "Prayer of the Children" by Kurt Bestor, and MANY more!
20. Candy Canes…yuck or yum?
I like stirring my hot chocolate with Candy Canes, but don’t really love eating the peppermint ones alone. The fruity See’s Candy ones are great, though.
Favorite Christmas Movie?
I like stirring my hot chocolate with Candy Canes, but don’t really love eating the peppermint ones alone. The fruity See’s Candy ones are great, though.
Favorite Christmas Movie?
21. Favorite Christmas Movie?
A Christmas Carol, Polar Express, etc. Joe and I had our first kiss after watching A Muppet’s Christmas Carol and Mr. Krueger’s Christmas, so those also have to be on the list!
22. What do you leave for Santa?
I don’t remember leaving him anything, but my kids will definitely be leaving something chocolaty with milk!
I don’t remember leaving him anything, but my kids will definitely be leaving something chocolaty with milk!
23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?
Christmas morning casserole for breakfast, waiting to look at the presents until everyone was awake, my dad taking lots of not pretty morning pictures of me, etc.
Christmas morning casserole for breakfast, waiting to look at the presents until everyone was awake, my dad taking lots of not pretty morning pictures of me, etc.
24. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?
I would have to say probably on-line. If I could have everything sent to my house I would be happy! I definitely enjoy GOING to the mall just to feel the excitement, see the decorations, be a part of the hustle and bustle, etc., but actually trying to find exactly what I want in all that mess isn’t very fun for me!
I would have to say probably on-line. If I could have everything sent to my house I would be happy! I definitely enjoy GOING to the mall just to feel the excitement, see the decorations, be a part of the hustle and bustle, etc., but actually trying to find exactly what I want in all that mess isn’t very fun for me!
25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?
Eventually hopefully we’ll be enough on top of things to actually write a letter, but for now just a card. Last year we didn’t even get to that, so we sent a Valentine’s Day card. We might have to resort to that this year too unless I get my booty in gear TOMORROW!
Eventually hopefully we’ll be enough on top of things to actually write a letter, but for now just a card. Last year we didn’t even get to that, so we sent a Valentine’s Day card. We might have to resort to that this year too unless I get my booty in gear TOMORROW!
3 comments:
I am glad you decided to complete this VERY long Christmas survey...however, I really enjoyed remembering all of these fun Christmas memories along with you. Do you think we will ever get sick of that Christmas morning casserole? That casserole just reminds me of all the great memories we have of spending time at Grandma J's and playing with our cousins. Merry Christmas!
I don't remember you talking to Joe on Christmas day. Also, was it just "a" kiss after Mr. Krueger's Christmas? I think we need to play Karaoke Revolution more often...
I loved reading your list...except for the fact that none of my kids remember EVER leaving poor Santa any fattening goodie! I swear we did. What kind of lamo mom would not leave a treat for Santa?! Oh well, at least the rest of it sounded like we made it through ok. I LOVE that picture of Parker!!! What a fun post!
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