2. Real tree or Artificial? Real...I don't think we EVER had a fake tree growing up...cedar tree from Central Utah...but never a 'wanna-be'. The tradition continues!!!
3. When do you put up the tree? Between Thanksgiving and Christmas...the most logical time...usually the day or two after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Before it becomes a major fire hazard...usually within a week after Christmas. I did it Christmas Day once...don't know if that will happen again.
5. Do you like eggnog? I know it's like earning a rite to passage, but I'll take my milk with cookies...no raw eggs, please!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I loved my American Girl doll, but I think the gift I treasure most is my 'Puddin' Doll...she's a Madame Alexander doll, and I loved her to pieces!!! She would cry when you tilted her backwards and forwards, and her eyes would open and shut. To this day, she has no bangs (we tried to re-curl them and melted them off), her hair is...well...needing some work (too many hair-dressings by mommy Deanna), and she has no eyelashes. I don't even think she cries anymore. I cherish her, and treated her like a real baby, probably till I was eleven or twelve. (This image is of one on e-Bay...apparently she's vintage and worth $200...My Puddin is Priceless!)7. Hardest person to buy for? Ryan...he just buys it if he wants it that bad, and I can't keep a secret...though this year, I am bound and determined!!! I hope he likes it!!!
8. Easiest person to buy for? Tanner...he knows what he wants!!! Not to say that he gets it, but he keeps reminding you, over, and over, and over, and over!
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Kinda-Sorta. I have a cheap set from Deseret Book for the boys to play with, but they're choking hazard size. My Grandma Crandall gave me a carved nativity...of Mary and Joseph holding the Christ Child, carved from olive wood. I think the birthday following that Christmas she gave me three camels to go with it...I'd like to add to it... Someday I also want a Nativity with a removable baby Jesus...funny, I know, but my set is carved and attached. We had a tradition growing up that each morning (during the Christmas Season) to get Baby Jesus from the mantel and kiss him before catching the school bus. Fond memories!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Hmmm...Totally Mail...but I was going for inexpensive this year, and those of you who were not blood related got our 'blog-mail card'...if you 'happened' to get a card, your address is known. Everyone else, consider yourselves hugged. (I do have four left...any takers?)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmmm, again...I remember one year I had been pleading for a new watch...mine had broken and I really needed one at the ripe ole' age of about 12. Well, Christmas Morning came and my little sister, Stephanie, who was probably 6 got a watch...was she even in 1st grade? I don't remember, but I do remember catching my mom looking at my dad with a "that went in the wrong stocking" look as my sister was fastening it to her wrist...they didn't have the heart to make her give it to its intended owner...I laugh now, but I was pretty bummed.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Gotta say that one about Sesame Street...We watched it EVERY YEAR! I kinda miss it. When Ryan and I got married, I begged for us to have the classic "Frosty" and "Rudolf"...the one where he gets stuck with the misfit elf who wants to be a dentist...yeah. Those are my favorite.
13. When do you start shopping? With three birthdays two weeks before Christmas, we shop starting with the sales after Christmas for the following year. Just to spread out the expense, you know?
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Can't really think of an instance, but I do recycle the gift bags, if they look presentable...and Ribbon is if can be pressed and re-used. I know, I'm a dork.
15. Lights on the tree? Only wrapped around every single branch and twig! We grew up with color, and until this year, I used the lights my mom used...wow. I think when she 'graduated' to a nice tree without all the kids' ornaments, she got white lights and I got the old, shorted out ones. I have finally thrown them out, but am keeping the tradition of colored lights alive by purchasing our very own, four strands of multi-colored lights. No shorts this year! (rest easy, Stevie!)
16. Favorite Christmas song? Any Christmas hymn, particularly Angels We Have Heard on High, Picture A Christmas from the Children's Song book, and Amy Grant's version of The Night Before Christmas.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year we're changing it up a bit by driving to St. George after opening presents on Christmas Morning to celebrate with Ryan's parents. They're working at the Temple there for the winter. We have always spent it at my parents' house, and not to break tradition, will stop there on the way home for a few days. It's going to be a quiet Christmas morning at our house...I think we'll keep it that way. It's too frustrating to haul everything down and back.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes. Can You?
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Currently, a red light...Our star is too heavy, but it's also new. Up until this year, I had a bow, with the 'tails' streaming around our tree.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning? What kind of question is that!?!? Christmas Morning, always. Exceptions: Pajamas on Christmas eve, and things bought for Christmas before Thanksgiving that we couldn't live without...yeah, those are opened right away. :)
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". I can respect other's beliefs, but somehow, it wouldn't be CHRISTmas without CHRIST. Some have forgotten the reason for the season.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? My favorite color has to be red, especially for this time of year, but I someday want a Christmas tree filled with Stars. And not just on the top.
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? hmmm...something that says comfort...Like Ham and Au'gratin potatoes and pistachio salad. I think we're doing McDonalds in Tremonton this year...unless we are on top of things and fix peanut butter samwiches for our cruise to Southern Utah.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? For us to arrive and return safely from St. George and all that traveling and screaming in the car. I'd also like for us to quit finding things to buy...maybe learn to exercise some self control on the spending side of things. It's starting to get a little out of hand.
25. What is your all-time favorite Christmas Tradition? My all-time favorite would have to be going to our grandparents' and great-grandparents' and some aunts and uncles to 'perform' the Nativity. I usually got to be Mary, Keith got to be Joseph, and whoever was the youngest was always the Baby Jesus, everyone else filled in. I know it was hectic for my parents, but we really did enjoy going to visit family and making those memories...no matter how many times we went kicking and screaming.
Do share! What are some of your traditions...from growing up, or what you've started with your own families?
9 comments:
I loved reading this. I am a sucker for people's traditions. And you need to get a Fontanini Nativity set. It's plastic, looks ceramic and the baby Jesus comes out. I love mine. I only have the holy family of that brand right now, but plan to add more as time goes on.
This was very fun to read. Your traditions are great!
I love the family nativity tradition . . .though I never got to be Mary! What a jip! I wish we still lived in st. George because then we could see you! I hope you arrive safely to St. George too. That will be fun. And I agree, hubby's are hard to buy for!
That is a long trip to St. George - I hope it goes well for your sanity, I mean sake, too. My favorite tradition (that is no more) was sleeping over at Grandma Harwards on Christams Eve every year, opening presents and then the whole family would come over for breakfast Christmas morning. Still to this day I don't know how she could cook so much for so many people and it always tasted so good!
Megan - ahhh..Aunt Hortense...I was always jealous you guys got to do that, and we had to stay at our own house!!! So fun!
I remember your Puddin' doll...Grandma Crandall loved her!
Oh Deanna! I'm soo sorry about the watch! I loved it dearly though! ;) Hope you don't mind!
Deanna--I love your blog--finally I can comment. You are so talented
Have a safe Christmas
XOXO
Joan
haha, the watch thing is too funny...you're too nice for allowing her the pleasure...megan would have said something for sure...haha jk. my favorite tradition, like megans...was grandma making a huge breakfast that was fabulous...and just chuckling at all the presents we got. i think my favorite tradition now that bran and i have started is watching the forgotten carols....it's nice to watch it in the comfort of your own home with some good hot chocolate and toast. :-)
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