22 December 2009

How We Do Christmas

Here's a questionnaire (or a meme, as the kids are calling them these days) about how we do Christmas. I stole it from SortaCrunchy. (Apparently I steal all my memes from her...)


1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Well, since we will now drink only homemade versions of both of these, Ima hafta go with hot chocolate, but only because it's easier to make. I do still love me some Braum's egg nog, though.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

We don't believe in Santa. Gifts come from people who love us.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

None this year. I'll probably throw some multi-colored lights on a bush at a future house. Or maybe hang a string of lighted snowflakes. Those are cute.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Yes. Well, a plastic approximation.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Day after Thanksgiving if I have anything to say about it.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

Tricky question. My favorite from my old life is probably "sticky rolls" (refrigerated biscuits, dipped in melted butter, rolled in cinnamon-sugar, baked, and drizzled with icing). We're working on new traditional holiday foods. (I made some very tasty gravy at Thanksgiving, but that's not really a dish, is it?)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

This is odd, since my husband and I vow not to travel on Christmas, but my favorite Christmas was probably the one we spent with my cousins in Chicago. We got to housesit their neighbors' house, and there was snow, and those cousins are my favorites.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

Oy. Growing up, Santa filled the stockings. I was 7 (SEVEN!) the year I overheard my dad ask my mom where she had bought the G.T. and the Halo Express cassette tape I had found in my stocking. That sucked.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Not unless we're at a relative's house and they're giving us presents.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Quickly, enjoyably, and without much fuss.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

Love it! I know I'm an adult, but it still seems like a surprise vacation and an adventure, especially if it's too nasty to drive.

12. Can you ice skate?

Oh yeah. I wish I could do it every day. EVERY DAY. I would be so fit.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

As a child: The one that's springing to mind is ... I can't remember if her name was Kenya or Kendra, but she was this African-American doll that came with a lot of hair, a lot of hair product, and a lot of beads. Oh my goodness -- I wanted that doll so much. I got her the Christmas I was nine, and I remember thinking about how much I wanted her and realizing that that's what it was to covet. I remember showing her with pride to my grandpa (who, I had some vague idea, didn't like Black people very much), and all he could say was, "Well, they certainly captured the Negro nose, didn't they?" HA!

Looking back now, it's probably a major coup that I even got the doll at all. I can only imagine what my mom was thinking when I told her I wanted it...

As an adult: An engagement ring. :-)

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Looking forward to Jesus' return. And listening to Christmas music.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Again, tough question. Old school: Not too much tops Dream Bars. New school: I'm hoping this is delicious this year.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Watching the A Christmas Story marathon ALL DAY on TBS. (But we don't have cable. I'll have to settle for watching my VHS copy through once.)

17. What tops your tree?

This year, a star from the thrift store. Someday in the future? This!



18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

Crafting to give.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Hymn: "O Holy Night"

"Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease."

Yes, please.

Secular: Probably "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses

20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

A complete waste of sugar intake. If I'm gonna be eating sugar, it'd better be bready, chocolaty, creamy, or all three.

As a completely unwise man once said, "If you're gonna do something wrong, do it right!"

21 Favorite Christmas Show?

I assume this means movie... A Christmas Story, with It's a Wonderful Life in close contention.

22. Saddest Christmas Song?

The sad ones are cheesy and I hate them. There. I said it. "Christmas Shoes", I'm lookin' at you.

2 comments:

Brigid said...

I'm going to steal this from you, too! I madly love your thrift-store star. It's just lovely.

Becky Myers said...

Jessie M: Bringin' Down Racism One Doll At A Time.

I wish you had told me that you wanted to watch the marathon. I would have left my key with you and you could have enjoyed the marathonyness.