Fun Questions from Pam

So I got these questions in an email from Pam, and I kept her answers because she had some great suggestions! (I had forgotten that there was such a thing as Swedish Apple Pie, and I loved her ideas on Christmas Songs...and figured other readers would too, especially my mom.)

So my answers, if they differ from Pam's, are in Turquoise because it's my favorite color!

Here we go - and would love to hear your answers, as well!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. Real (love the smell!)

3. When do you put up the tree? Ideally the day after Thanksgiving, but that hasn't happened since 2003. (First, I just have to say that I think this is a hilarious answer. ) Break/Break: I am DEFINITELY not organized enough to have a set day every year. The sooner the better as soon as it turns into December.

4. When do you take the tree down? Soon after New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog? No, but MacKenzie and Benjamin are nog-aholics, so I have it in the house for them. Sure! The Grown-up kind with a little dividend of Brandy in it. :)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Probably my first bicycle without training wheels in 1st grade. Two, actually. Guitar and my very own diary.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. Ours is quite frankly the most beautiful one I've ever seen, or my mom has ever seen. The figures were carved in the Italian Alps; the set was a gift from John's parents.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Brother. MY DAD! But John and Armour and I have a good one (we think) for him this year!

9. Easiest person to buy for? Mom, kids. Oh definitely my Mom! We always like the same things!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't think of anything other than a blue pleated skirt that I opened Christmas Eve one year (elementary age). I thought it was going to be something awesome since it was wrapped in a tube instead of a traditional clothes-size box, and was disappointed that I opened up clothes for my one Christmas Eve gift. Not really a "bad" gift though. Lanz nightgowns. Of course, I LOVE them now - but as a kid, getting clothes was icky.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. Last year, some of you got Christmas-on-Labor-Day cards. {Sigh}

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original cartoon version), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (the cartoon version with the mouse family…haven't seen this one in years!). Diehard. (It's a Craig Family Tradition...)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In earnest sometime in November, although this year I started picking up items last December, more in June (supposed to have been Benjamin's b-day gifts to take back to the states over his b-day but I forgot them--so I re-shopped for his b-day and saved those for Christmas), and more in August and September. Most of my extremely early shopping is done when traveling--unique items from other countries...I even have a few things set aside for next Christmas. I shop all year!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. I shall never tell...

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Fudge, homemade Christmas cookies, Swedish Apple Pie (especially leftover for breakfast). Ok, I'm a foodie - so here's a list...and it never changes - this is what we do if we're with the Craigs:

While we're opening presents - Aunt Nan's fruitcake and coffee (Dad & John) or Champagne (the rest of us!)

Throughout the day - Stilton cheese with warm crusty bread and other snacks

Supper - Prime Rib roasted in the oven with carrots, potatoes and onions around it, Yorkshire pudding, broccoli with hollandaise sauce. It is the best ever!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Mini white. Colored! As a kid we had big huge ones. I wish I could find those again.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Religious: Silent Night (by candlelight at Christmas Eve service), Mary Did you Know? (by Reba McEntire). Secular: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas (by Gayla Peevey: sample at http://hippochristmas.ytmnd.com), Santa Baby (by Madonna), non-traditional and updated versions of classical songs such as on Reba's "Secret of Giving" album, "Our Favorite Things" by Tony Bennett, Charlotte Church, Placido Domingo & Vanessa Williams, Boney M's "The 20 Greatest Christmas Songs" album…and too many others to list (I have dozens and dozens of Christmas CD's, we literally have to start listening to them before Thanksgiving to get through them all by Christmas). The one about the little Drummer Boy, and "My Grown-up Christmas List" by Natalie Cole.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home, usually…although Christmas in Rome last year was nice (Christmas Eve midnight mass with the Pope and Christmas day papal blessing!). John and I always travel to be with family

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? YES! If I sing the song where they're all named I can.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel. Star!

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One family gift on Christmas Eve, stockings before breakfast Christmas morning, gifts after breakfast. (We do this exACTLY the same way! I think that's amazing!)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Stores decorating for Christmas before Halloween is over! Long lines at stores...

23. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme? Tons of white lights, all glass/crystal ornaments. Nope - completely eclectic - though if I had tons of money, I'd have a bunch of themed trees - I like that idea. I'd ask my "sister" Stephanie to help me since she's got great taste in decorating.