JJ's Crazy Days: Christmas Fun

One of my mission companions forwarded this Christmas questionaire to me. I thought it'd be fun to share on the blog. I'd love to read about your traditions too.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper

2. Tree--Real or Artificial? Artificial, but I LOVE the smell of fresh pine. The ideal scenario would be to have both – one for all the kids’ glittering creations & one that would just be pretty and festive.

3. When do you put Christmas tree up? The weekend after Thanksgiving Jon gets it out of the box, but it often takes me another week to shape the branches and get TONS of white light strands on it before the kids can help decorate.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually in January after we’ve visited family in Utah. We aren’t traveling this year, so we’ll see.

5. Like egg nog? No. I’ve never been a fan of drinking my calories. I’d much rather spoon them up in ice cream.

6. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. My grandma gave us one years ago. I added the Little People Nativity this year, so my youngest children would have a hands-on set. I also have a mini set that we use to decorate a cake remembering Christ’s birth (kind of like a birthday celebration with the young kids).

7. Favorite gift received as a child? I probably had a new favorite each year which meant the world to me at the time. Off the top of my head I remember the tippie toe doll that could push her stroller & my blue 10 speed bike. We did always look forward to the Life Savor Storybooks we got in our stockings each year. How cool to have 8 rolls of candy all to myself!

8. Hardest person to buy for? Jon. I quit buying him gifts after our 2^nd Christmas when he returned everything. He buys for himself & I get to wrap it.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My Kids. Jessica is so thrilled with EVERYTHING & I love all the little girl things. My boys tell me EXACTLY what video games they’d like (even though I’d rather be giving them something else). They make it easy to know what items will be winners.

10. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I’m bugged by the tv ads that seem to say that unless you spend WAY to much money, you must not really love the special people in your life. Even if you find a great deal, the implication is that you should then buy way MORE presents. I don’t like all the STUFF about Christmas. I’m even uncomfortable receiving gifts. I like the activities, moments, letters from friends, and memories. I also don’t think it’s appropriate to have Victoria Secret models seducing innocent watchers all set to Christmas carols. BUGGY!

11. Mail or email a Christmas Card? I prefer to mail, but I preprint labels and letters. They aren’t handwritten anymore.. I sometimes send an e-mail version to friends whose address I don’t have or who are out of the country.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? I LOVE “The Gift of Love.” It came out when I was a kid. Marie Osmond is the leading lady. I watch it EVERY year along with Mr. Kruegar’s Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not the present, but I might reuse a nice gift bag or save special ribbons.

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Growing up mom always made a breakfast casserole that I loved. We haven’t established our own tradition. We are often getting ready to travel so we are cleaning out the fridge, so no fancy ham or turkey dinner for us. We try to enjoy the Ward Christmas Dinner earlier in the month.

16. Clear or colored tree lights? clear/white lights on the tree. Our outside lights are swags of colored lights. Our house looks more like a gingerbread house instead of one covered in icicles. I like that it’s NOT cold enough here to have ice.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? My favorites change. I’ve loved “Breathe of Heaven” & “My Grown Up Christmas List” by Amy Grant. I love the classic “Silent Night” & "O Holy Night.”

18. Travel during Christmas or Stay home? I’ve always wanted our kids to remember Christmas in their own home. So we always have Christmas morning at our house – even if we have to petition Santa to visit us on the 23^rd or 24^th. We regularly travel to Utah in between Christmas & New Years depending on how many vacation days we have left. Some years we have been greeted with a White Christmas & an abominable flu virus. Other years we miss the snow completely. We enjoy spending time with all the cousins & Grandparents. This is part of our tradition too. We’ll be missing you all this year!!!

19. Do you have a special treat that you make at Christmas? Yes. We started baking poppy seed bread years ago. Now it’s become a tradition. Last Saturday I baked 20 loaves. We share many and eat many ourselves. The hardest part is getting them all delivered.

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star