A Christmas Survey (It's Going Around)

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate? Hmmm.... I think I'd have to say Eggnog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? I've always been under the impression that, in my family, he drops them off in November so that my mom can wrap them herself, and then tease me about them.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights on the house, colored lights on the tree. Though my mom likes white lights on everything, so that's what we do at home.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? My parents don't, but I did last year for the holiday party.

5. When do you put your decorations up? At home, Thanksgiving weekend. With Becky, sometime before the holiday party.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Aunt Mary's eggplant parm.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: When I got a phone call from Santa, to ask what I wanted for Christmas and to make sure that I was behaving myself.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can't recall a time I didn't know that he always brings me good presents. :)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes! Always Christmas pajamas.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? At home, white lights, sparkly balls, and lots and lots of ornaments, most of which carry lots of memories for me. With Becky, colored lights and lots of ornaments, most of them lovingly made and given.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!

12. Can you ice skate? Moderately well, meaning I don't have to hold on to the wall beyond the first few times around, but I haven't been in a long time. I'm dying to go. Maybe this winter I'll finally make it....

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think I might have to say Mikey. He was a Christmas present way back when I was little, and is the one I still treasure the most. :)

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my friends, doing all the traditional things with my family, and picking really thoughtful gifts. And listening to Christmas music.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Meema's tarts!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Looking for Rudolph's nose in the sky on the drive home from Staten Island on Christmas Eve.

17. What tops your tree? At home, a pretty angel that we've had forever. With Becky, an angel that I made.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I love the actual process of picking out and purchasing presents, even though I also find it stressful; I often have more fun doing that than getting gifts myself, although I like that part too. :)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Wow, I could never choose! So I'll say the one I'm currently most interested in, which is called something like the Cherry Carol.... I have to find a recording of it, I heard it at my parents' over the weekend and forgot to ask them to burn it for me. If you haven't heard it, it's about Mary and Joseph walking in a cherry tree grove, and Mary asks Joseph to pick her a cherry, because she's pregnant (it's more poetic in the song). Joseph says "let he who made you with child pluck a cherry" (harsh!), and then suddenly all these cherries fall out of the tree and into Mary's hands. I forget how it ends, but can't you just imagine the look on Joseph's face?

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum??? Yummmmm! And they last so long that you don't keep snacking all the time.