Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Survey

So I saw this on Heidi's blog and thought it was kind of fun (and a good way to kill this last half hour of work...) She shared about her and her husband...but I don't know I could answer half of these about Andy (sad, I know. I'll get working on that this year)

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate in the morning and Egg Nog (or Nog Nog, as I call it) at night.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Honesty... I have no idea what my parents used to do. I think they did both. I think that if it was too big or awkward to wrap, then they would just leave it out.

3. Colored lights or White light on tree/house? I used to love colored light, but now I'm all about the white lights. And definitely not the icicle lights (I used to love those...can't stand them now!)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope...but I should! :) Except I can get kisses from Andy anytime I want, so he would probably just annoyed if I made him stand underneath mistletoe.

5. When do you put up Christmas decorations? I would say that I usually wait at least until the first Saturday in December. I don't usually have a set date, but I wait until it is actually December, for sure!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Um... I guess it would be this really yummy ice cream/7-up drink that my aunt would always make for Christmas parties. I know that's not a dish, but I LOVE it!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? I think that would be when my sister and I got a home-built Barbie doll house from my mom and dad. My dad built it and my mom decorated it. It was taller than me and we loved it!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think that I just eventually figured it out. I was probably in 5th or 6th grade and I heard rumors and then just assumed they were true.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, but only if they are pajamas! I hate opening gifts on Christmas Eve, but it seems that as you get older and try to fit in all of the family parties...sometimes you just have to do it on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Well...it's different every year because I always change my mind on what I like. The first year I bought cheap decorations from the dollar store; the second year I bought some ornaments from Home Depot and I had to rush because Andy was being impatient; and this year... well we don't have a tree this year because I have all of these ideas of how I want to decorate it and it would cost a lot of money (or at least more than I want to spend right now), so we decided to just not do one. (Especially since we are getting our puppy, I just don't want to have to worry about him getting into it).

11. Snow! Love or Dread it? I love "snowing", but I don't love "snow".

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, I love it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? One of my favorite gifts was my dollhouse that my mom and dad made, and also a baby cradle that my uncle made. I still have the cradle, I think.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering our Savior and being with family. I also try to do some sort of service because that's what the Spirit of Christmas is all about, isn't it?

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Anything...nothing in particular, I guess.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We don't really have traditions anymore... I used to say it was going to Christmas Village in Ogden every year on Christmas Eve, but I just went there last weekend and it was too cold to be enjoyable.

17. What tops your tree? Go back to #10...this can change every year. I haven't found the perfect thing yet.

18. What do you prefer: giving or receiving? Definitely giving! I've always felt that way, even since I was little. I just love to see everyone's faces when the open up their presents from me. It just warms my little heart. :)

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum? Yum - only if they are like Starburst flavor, or something. Not a fan of the peppermint kind.

20. Favorite Christmas show? Hmm... I don't think I really have one I guess. I really like the church ones...they are always super touching.

21. Saddest Christmas song? Huh? Sad Christmas song? That's not possible... Oh wait, there is a country song that is sad... I think the little girl's mom dies or something in the end?

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Away in a Manger

23. Do you use an Advent Calendar? Nah...maybe one year if I can make a cute one and when we have kids.

24. Do you go to church on Christmas? Of course! It's the best sacrament meeting of the year!

25. I'm changing this question... I think the original is a stupid question to end this survey on. My question is: What is the true meaning of Christmas? I honestly could care less about Santa Clause and presents. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have presents and I would only focus on the Savior - His birth and His life. That's why Christmas originally started and I think it needs to go back to that, not the commercialization of Christmas. I guess I enjoy giving presents to others that mean something, but I hate that we feel obligated to spend hundreds of dollars on our family and friends that, for the most part, don't even "need" what we are giving them. I would love for Christmas to be all about the Savior, service and sentimental gifts. And honestly... I bet that the majority of people would agree with me once they took a step back and really thought about the true meaning of Christmas.

(p.s. The original question was What were your Christmas morning rules as a kid?" Good change, huh?) :) If anyone gets a chance to do this survey, I would love to read. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!