All Dressed Up

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. This year, I haven’t bought or wrapped a single gift. We don’t have the big tree up. We’re not traveling or rushing to get anywhere. It’s sad that those things have come to identify Christmas for me. This year, there’s no commercialism at all, there’s no rushing, there’s no stress. It’s peaceful, but doesn’t feel a whole lot like Christmas.

Tomorrow night, we’ll be going to Christmas Eve service and then home to open some gifts that family members were kind enough to send. Then on Monday, there’s Christmas Day service and then dinner at my dad’s. We’ll also be going to the movies to see either Eragon or Night at the Museum. It’s been a family tradition to go the movies for the last 14 or 15 years. I have a large extended family and Christmas used to be about rushing to each grandparents’ house and eating. When I was 16, we moved out of state and all of the sudden, Christmas was just the three of us and it was over by noon. So, we started going to the movies. I remember the first movie we went to… The Muppet Christmas Carol. It’s one of my favorite traditions. I can’t wait until Maddie’s old enough to go with us.

I’ll leave you with the holiday meme that’s going around. I hope you all have a joyous, safe and loving Christmas.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg Nog.

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? He wraps them.

3. Colored or white lights on the tree/house? We own white lights for the house, but they’ve never been put up. White lights on the tree, too.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put up your decorations? Usually the middle of December. I get tired of Christmas when it starts in November.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Ham.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? My parents taking me to see the Christmas lights at Nela Park in Cleveland.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I’m not sure how old I was, but one year I realized the gift tags that read “from Santa” had the same handwriting as those that read “from Mom.” I questioned her and she caved.

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Yes. Gerald’s family opens most of their gifts on Christmas Eve. In my family, we get one on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With white, non-flashing lights and sentimental ornaments. Some, Gerald and I made as kids and others are gifts.

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

12. Can you ice skate? I could when I was a kid. I’m way too old and clumsy now.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I’m going to have to be cheesy here. Gerald says that Maddie is our gift this year, so I’m going to have to choose her as favorite.

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Showing family how much you love them.

15. Favorite holiday dessert? Walnut Fudge or those little snowball almond cookies.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to the movies on Christmas Day.

17. What tops your tree? I think it’s an angel. It’s been two years since we put up the tree, so I can’t remember. (We have two 100lb labs that would bring it right down, so it stays in the attic.)

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Both. I’m not to proud to admit that I love receiving. Giving makes me feel good, too.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Let it Snow.

20. Candy Canes? Yum!

Filed under: uncategorized on December 23rd, 2006