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Taking a break from cleaning and tree-trimming, but I think I may have done this before. Well, if I don't remember, I'm sure no one else does!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Mostly what is reused or leftover from years ago, but this year may use some Chico bags as part of the present.
2. Real or Artificial tree?
Real tree, only. Did love Eastern Red Cedar for the smell, but they are so prickly, so have switched to Leyland Cypress.ETA: actually, they were sold out of everything but the standard firs, so we got one of those.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Around Dec. 10 or so, but is late this year b/c Bill just got back from Chicago. So this afternoon and tomorrow morning, I hope. Visitors tomorrow night, so has to be by then! ETA: Is done.
4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year's Eve, usually.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Oh, yes. My family always made our own (very rich, cream, eggs, bourbon) for after church on Christmas Eve. We still make it, sometimes.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?
The doll with a complete wardrobe handmade by my mother, including fur cape and spangled dress.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Three—one a porcelain gift we never put up, one tin from Oaxaca, one weird little pottery one I made years ago when kids were young.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Older son. Doesn’t need much, has lots, and Doug makes him whatever knitted or cooked he could use.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received
Kitten-printed magnetic grocery list.
11. Christmas Cards?
You will see that, later.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I consider LTR a Christmas movie.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Some where in mid December, unless I see something that seems really great earlier.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present?
Oh, yes. In fact, the fruitcake that just arrived has been put by the door to head right off to some unwary soul…
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Not fruitcake. Oyster pie? Buche de Noel?
16. Clear lights or colored or both on the tree?
Colored on the inside tree with ornaments, clear outlining the limbs of the outside tree.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
Hmmm, right now it would be “There is a Rose of Swich Virtu”—but it changes
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
When my kids were little, staying home was all I wanted. Right now, I wish we’d planned to go someplace new and different. Family Christmas keeps dwindling as the kids move away and the old folks die off. During the rest of the year, new friends and interests make up for it, but at Christmas, I’m very aware of it. Also, except for Lydia, we really have no kids at all in our family, and we seem to just do the same thing every year with very little variation. I used to like trying to make things different, but now I just want to get it over with.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
Actually, I can. Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer,Vixen. And that other guy, if he counts.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
Star—painted tin, from Oaxaca.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
See # 18. When there were kids, we saved it all for the morning, but now we open at whatever event we’re at with the people we’re exchanging with.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The “Christmas War” hoo-hah. I don’t run into it personally, but just heaing about it in the media is enough.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition?
Baking stollen for the whole family and listening to Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols (and now Anonymous 4, thanks to [Bad username or site: ”maever-rigan” @ livejournal.com]) on Christmas Eve morning. I know stollen are supposed to be made way in advance, but they’re pretty good fresh, too. Occasionally I do some other sweet traditional bread. Also love the first glass of champagne on Christmas Eve night, signifying that my work is done—presents bought and wrapped, house cleaned, food bought and cooked, myself bathed and dressed. Nothing left but the good stuff!
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays?
Nobody, really. My nephew’s ex used to be a bit of a pain, but she’s no longer part of the family, and everyone else is good to be around.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration?
No—used to when my parents were alive, and occasionally in a special place (like big cathedral in Prague, etc). In my tradition, there aren’t any solstice celebrations, so we shut the Dharma Center and do fundraising instead.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Mostly what is reused or leftover from years ago, but this year may use some Chico bags as part of the present.
2. Real or Artificial tree?
Real tree, only. Did love Eastern Red Cedar for the smell, but they are so prickly, so have switched to Leyland Cypress.ETA: actually, they were sold out of everything but the standard firs, so we got one of those.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Around Dec. 10 or so, but is late this year b/c Bill just got back from Chicago. So this afternoon and tomorrow morning, I hope. Visitors tomorrow night, so has to be by then! ETA: Is done.
4. When do you take the tree down?
New Year's Eve, usually.
5. Do you like Eggnog?
Oh, yes. My family always made our own (very rich, cream, eggs, bourbon) for after church on Christmas Eve. We still make it, sometimes.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?
The doll with a complete wardrobe handmade by my mother, including fur cape and spangled dress.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Three—one a porcelain gift we never put up, one tin from Oaxaca, one weird little pottery one I made years ago when kids were young.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Older son. Doesn’t need much, has lots, and Doug makes him whatever knitted or cooked he could use.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received
Kitten-printed magnetic grocery list.
11. Christmas Cards?
You will see that, later.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I consider LTR a Christmas movie.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Some where in mid December, unless I see something that seems really great earlier.
14. Have you ever "recycled" a Christmas present?
Oh, yes. In fact, the fruitcake that just arrived has been put by the door to head right off to some unwary soul…
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Not fruitcake. Oyster pie? Buche de Noel?
16. Clear lights or colored or both on the tree?
Colored on the inside tree with ornaments, clear outlining the limbs of the outside tree.
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
Hmmm, right now it would be “There is a Rose of Swich Virtu”—but it changes
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
When my kids were little, staying home was all I wanted. Right now, I wish we’d planned to go someplace new and different. Family Christmas keeps dwindling as the kids move away and the old folks die off. During the rest of the year, new friends and interests make up for it, but at Christmas, I’m very aware of it. Also, except for Lydia, we really have no kids at all in our family, and we seem to just do the same thing every year with very little variation. I used to like trying to make things different, but now I just want to get it over with.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
Actually, I can. Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer,Vixen. And that other guy, if he counts.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
Star—painted tin, from Oaxaca.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
See # 18. When there were kids, we saved it all for the morning, but now we open at whatever event we’re at with the people we’re exchanging with.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The “Christmas War” hoo-hah. I don’t run into it personally, but just heaing about it in the media is enough.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition?
Baking stollen for the whole family and listening to Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols (and now Anonymous 4, thanks to [Bad username or site: ”maever-rigan” @ livejournal.com]) on Christmas Eve morning. I know stollen are supposed to be made way in advance, but they’re pretty good fresh, too. Occasionally I do some other sweet traditional bread. Also love the first glass of champagne on Christmas Eve night, signifying that my work is done—presents bought and wrapped, house cleaned, food bought and cooked, myself bathed and dressed. Nothing left but the good stuff!
24. Family member you always try to stay away from during the holidays?
Nobody, really. My nephew’s ex used to be a bit of a pain, but she’s no longer part of the family, and everyone else is good to be around.
25. Do you attend any actual religious services in celebration?
No—used to when my parents were alive, and occasionally in a special place (like big cathedral in Prague, etc). In my tradition, there aren’t any solstice celebrations, so we shut the Dharma Center and do fundraising instead.
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From:
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It's true, as the family dwindles, our little gatherings get to be more and more... little gatherings. I miss the days of scavenger hunts (though the folks did put one together for me this year, which was a blast) and stuffed stockings and mass chaos, but I suppose its hard to do that without a younger generation around. It's hard to believe that going on 28, I am still the baby of the family. I still feel like I shouldn't be at the adult table with everyone else, and that my role is just to sit and listen (fortunately, the stories are as good as ever, and now I actually get most of them).
"Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer,Vixen. And that other guy, if he counts."
Ahem, I believe he is the most famous reindeer of all.... except possibly Randolph.
From:
no subject
I often think how lucky we are that we don't really have any family dramas (aside from one we won't discuss).
And I have that song that includes Randolph on my iPod...
From:
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From:
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