Christmas Meme.

Oy, I have so much to write about, but I'm taking the easy way out today with a little Christmas quiz I found from Lindsey, who found it from Unofficial Mom. Life updates headed your way after Christmas.

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate, but I really don't drink hot beverages.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them! And, yes, Santa still comes to my house. Cheesy as it is, it's cute.

Colored lights on tree/house or white? We have colored lights outside, one tree with colored lights and our family ornaments from forever ago, and one "fancy" tree with white lights and gold and silver and cream ornaments.

Do you hang mistletoe? No, but my Grams does, does that count?

When do you put your decorations up? Outdoor lights have gone up as early as beginning of November, but we don't turn them on until Thanksgiving night. The weather here is so bipolar that we take advantage of a warm fall day when it's around. Everything inside goes up around Thanksgiving Day, into the week after. It just depends on what our Thanksgiving schedule is like. Here's some pictures since I never did the holiday tour I wanted to do.

Foyer.

Foyer & living room tree.

What is your favorite holiday dish? Jello with fruit cocktail in it and sweet mayonnaise on top! Delicious. And sweet mayo is a horrible name for a delicious topping that has nothing to do with mayonnaise.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Going to the Yuletide Celebration every year with my mom and our mother/daughter friends. Even if I did get the flu every year after we went.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I'm thinking I found gifts before Christmas (total snooper) and then my mom tried to say they were from Santa? I do remember finding the cookies we sat out for Santa that he claimed he ate (oh yea, he left us a note!) so that was a pretty good tip-off, too. Sad day.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Sometimes only one, sometimes all. Which I hate. I'd rather do just one, if any at all. We need kids in the family to make Christmas fun again.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Whoops, already answered this. How about some pictures instead?

Family tree in the family room.

Fancy tree in the living room.

Snow, love it or hate it? It's really beautiful and we've had a lot this year already (and more coming the next couple of days), but I hate how messy it makes things and how people don't know how to drive in it, and how snow = cold. Love/hate relationship.

The backyard of the people I babysit for (err, babysat for)

Can you ice skate? Ha, no. I can't even ice skate with those assistant walkers for the little kids.

Do you remember your favorite gift? I've received a lot of great gifts over the years! Probably my barbie house was one. But all the jewelry I've received in recent years has been really special.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I spend a ton of time with my immediate and extended family as it is, but I just soak it up during the Holidays. My only wish is that the true meaning of Christmas didn't seem to get as lost as it does.

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I don't have one. Although, I did make this chocolate/peppermint pudding pie one year that was delicious! Or, "dog chow!" Chex-mix, cheerios, M&M's, mixed together with white chocolate. SO good!

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve with my Mom's family and Christmas Day with my Dad's. I love that I get to see everyone. As a kid, the elf would always come to my Grams' house and leave holiday pajamas on the front porch for all the grandkids. It was always a game to see if we could spot the elf! I can't wait to do this with my kids :)

What tops your tree? A angel on the family tree, a big bow on the fancy tree.

Our Christmas village. See the tree in the middle? My momma painted it.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving? I like getting gifts, but I really love watching someone open up a gift and see how excited they get.

What is your favorite Christmas Song? Way too many! That's kind of how I am about most songs though; 9 times out of 10, the radio is playing my "favorite" song!

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Delicious. Peppermint bark = yummy. I love the cherry flavored rainbow ones, too!

Favorite Christmas Show? Hm, The Christmas List is a fave, A Christmas Story will forever be an all-time fave, It's a Wonderful Life, and Miracle on 34th Street. Of course, Home Alone 1 & 2, but I watch those year around.

Saddest Christmas Song? Who the heck would write a sad Christmas song?

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones and pray for safe travels for all!