Christmas survey

When do you start Christmas shopping?
I shop all year round, whenever I see a good sale on something that seems like a good gift idea for someone in particular. But I usually end up doing the bulk of it two months prior.

Are you finished shopping?
Not even close.

How many people are you buying for?
Well there's thirty people on my list. I'll be surprised if I get to half of them.

What are you leaving out for Santa?
Whatever I feel like eating, since that's me.

Name 3 things you want for Christmas:
A digital video camera, a better still digital camera, and a treadmill for my big butt. I hate to walk in the cold.

Are you traveling this year?
No. I wouldn't mind traveling on xmas day itself if the plane tix were cheap. But I DID finally buy plane tix (after waiting four years) for the whole family to visit our extended family on the west coast very soon.

What kind of stockings are hung at your house?
Probably won't have any this year because the house is still in post stroke disaster mode.

Do you have a fireplace/chimney?
Not anymore. Love them.

Favorite things to get in your stocking?
Lifesavers book. Though they probably don't come in sugar free, which I need now. Oooo, some sugar free chocolate would be nice.

Any family traditions?
Opening gifts one at a time in a round robin fashion on Christmas morning. I used to have a gingerbread house decorating party every year early in December. I would like to resurrect that. I have taken my kids to a community christmas party the last two years in a row, and I would like to keep doing that. This year they featured a showing of Olive, the other Reindeer. Herr's potato chip factory puts up a spectacular light display at their company hq, and I've taken the kids to see that for the last seven years. Sometimes we have extended family over, or go to their house. When we lived in Cali, we were expected at the 'rents. Dad's on Xmas Eve, In Laws Xmas morn, foster mom's Xmas nite. My bio mom was invited to all three as well. It was exhausting.

What foods does your family have every year at Christmas?
Usually turkey and mashed potatoes.

Who is the most fun to buy for?
My six year old. He appreciates everything the most. His reactions are enthusiastic and genuine.

Who is the easiest to buy for?
My six year old. He likes everything.

Who is the hardest to buy for?
My parents. They have everything, or don't want much.

Who gives the best gifts?
I have one parent that usually gives me books, which I adore. It's usually someone different every year who might surprise me with something very thoughtful. It's never my husband, who hates Christmas shopping. Most years now we agree not to give each other gifts, in order to save what few precious dollars we have on the kids, or we agree to go out on a date to something less than forty bucks.

Any movies/specials you have to watch every year?
I love Christmas Story, the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and also The Year Without A Santa Claus, because I love the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser songs.

Who passes out the presents?
That is the perfect job for OCD girl.

Main stores you have shopped at this year:
Thrift stores, dollartree, Kmart.

What kind of tree do you have?
A tiny fake one, that we probably won't put up this year.

What are your 3 favorite ornaments on your tree?
Ones that my mom makes. I love those.

What adorns the top of your tree?
I have a very original handmade crocheted angel tree topper that was not designed for such purpose but we use it anyway. Thanks again mom.

Do you collect anything Christmasy?
If I see cheap ornaments that I like during the year, I will pick them up. That's rare now.

Whose kids are you buying for this year?
Mine, and possibly a few friends who are going through challenges.

Can you name all 9 reindeer?
Yep. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph. Didn't even have to look them up.

Ever watch Ernest Saves Christmas?
No, with no intention or interest.

What's your favorite Christmas drink?
Hot chocolate with marshmellows.

Do you like Eggnog?
No, the thought of raw eggs does not appeal anymore.

What flavor candy canes do you like?
Original peppermint, and some kind of fruity thing. Not chocolate.

When do you take your tree down?
It has stayed over an extra month or more before.

Is Christmas still magical for you?
Not usually. I don't like the total consumerism. And I prefer to worship Jesus all year round.

What is your favorite thing about Christmas?
Happy kids.

Do you donate at Christmas time?
I donate all year round, I don't usually reserve it just for Xmas. This year we donated forty coats to a holiday warm clothing drive, but I would have done it anytime, it just happened to get collected now when the weather turned cold. We never donate as much as I would like.

Do you make sure to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas?
Not usually. We don't make the effort to talk about it, or do something special. I like the Veggie Tales special about the topic, but we watch it all year round.

How many nativity scenes do you have in your house?
None, but I'm not opposed to them. If my house was less cluttered, I think they are nice decorations for the season.

Have you been naughty or nice?
Depends on what you mean by naughty. And depends on who you ask about nice.