Figgy Pudding - this list of questions came from somewhere, and with Christmas so close...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? When someone has taken the time, money and effort to think of me, buy/make me a present and give it to me - it really doesn't matter how it's presented. Having said that, paper or bag, it's always extra special when the giver has added extras - tissue paper, bow, ribbons, straw etc.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Now. We always had a real one when I was growing up. Then we bought "our" very own tree the year we got married, got a new fibre optic tree in 2005 and "Santa" bought us a really lovely big tree in 2006.

3. When do you put up the tree? When we are in the mood. This year it went up early because I wanted it up for my Creative Memories Christmas Class. My SD and my sister have a "not before December 1st" rule, but we don't. We have made Christmas our own holiday, and we celebrate it "our" way.

4. When do you take the tree down? Again, when the mood strikes! Sometime after new years day. In 2007/08 it might come down early - I need somewhere to put my new treadmill!! - if it doesn't stay where we've put it for now, behind the dining room table.

5. Do you like egg nog? No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'd have to say my bike, or my roller blades. I used those blades ALL the time!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No, it's something I'd like to have,but don't really have anywhere to put it. I did buy a battery operated light up glass ornament nativity scene for one of the teachers, that I ended up keeping as it was scratched - but I doubt anyone would even notice it is a nativity scene, it's so small:



8. Hardest person to buy for? Really, my middle dd. She never actually "wants" for anything. The others will ask, "can I have......?" LOL

9. Easiest person to buy for? My middle dd. Hardest and easiest. She is always happy with whatever we get her.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I always sent LOTS. Then I started to get less and less, and one year I didn't get around to it. That was it. Now I send emails, or return cards...that's it. I have started making cards, so maybe next year I will be able to send some of those :)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I keep getting really odd things from a lady I'd really rather not receive things from. I'm not sure if it's the items, or the giver.

12 . Favorite Christmas movie? Miracle on 34th street...Santa Clause 1.2.3...It's tough. I like all the feel good ones and the ones that make me laugh. I think it's more about sitting around as a family watching the movies, than what we actually watch.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I shop all year round. I have a place where I keep all these gifts. However, as the children grow, and their tastes change throughout the year I'm tending to shop closer to Christmas.

14 . Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. But I did win a ring that I gave to a friend for her birthday :0

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham. It's the only time of the year that we buy a real ham. But of course there are lots of other things that seem to only get eaten at Christmas - gingerbread, mince pies, white christmas, rumballs, nuts in their shells, Christmas pudding.

16 . Clear lights or colored on the tree? We have coloured...for no particular reason.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I like lots of them. I don't like to sing silent night - although I do like the words. I don't like it when people sing common songs in a way that makes it hard to sing along.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We prefer to have it just the five of us at a restaurant for lunch, my sister's family at breakfast - year about at her house or ours...and whatever happens for tea. We like to spend the night away from home if we havent' gone away.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? ...maybe....

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? It's a star, a wobbly star.

21 . Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning. We have opened some Christmas eve if we have lots from out of town..otherwise it's too overwhelming on Christmas day.

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? Impatient and rude people at the shops!

23. Favorite Christmas ornament? I have a new favourite every year! This year I bought a singing Christmas tree. The ornament that starts conversation is my big purple ornament that sings when you make a loud noise!

24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Prawns. It's something that we don't seem to cook. I love to have an Italian Fruitcake, but it usually gets eaten for breakfast!!