Getting to know me, Christmas style

There are a bunch of fantastic Cavalier mommies that I've come to know and love over the last five years. We regularly chat with one another on a message board and last year we did a cute round robin of our favorite Christmas things.  I dug up my answers and thought it would be fun to post them here as well.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Paper definitely, and fun fabric ribbon.

2. Real tree or artificial?
Real all the way. We go to a farm to cut ours down.

3. When do you put up the tree?
The first weekend in December. Except for this year. We leave Saturday for a cruise and I didn’t think a decorated Christmas tree would be the safest thing to leave behind for Angus and Devin (our cats) to play with. I could just imagine our pet sitter coming in one morning to find two furry tales stick out from beneath a toppled tree.

4. When do you take the tree down?
By the 28th. I get sick of it quickly.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Not at all.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Probably a tie between my Easy Bake Oven and my first TV.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My in-laws. Confession- I don’t like them (hubby's dad and step-monster) all that much and am not motivated at all to be creative when it comes to gift-giving for them. Plus they get my husband and me crappy stuff and I get in “tit for tat” mode.  I am so evil.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My sister.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. I LOVE our cards this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can’t think of any but I’m sure there’ve been a few.

12. Favorite Christmas movie(s)?
Christmas Vacation and Love Actually.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Not until after Thanksgiving. And this year it will be MUCH later than that. I’ve bought only a handful of presents so David and I are in for a marathon shopping trip when we get back.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Kind of. I gave a friend a present I received at one of my bridal showers to her for Christmas. Thankfully she was not at the shower and she absolutely loved the gift (Le Cruset baking dish).

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
A little of everything but Christmas cookies and Yorkshire pudding are my kryptonite.

16. Lights on the tree?
It used to be white lights only but last year Dave threw a fit and we used multi-colored lights and ornaments. Not sure which direction will go in this year.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Blue Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We used to have a biiiigggg celebration at my grandparent's farm but since Hop died (2006) I've done a small dinner at my house for my mom, sister, her fiance, hubby and hubby's brother.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Not a chance.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning. Santa doesn't come until after I've gone to bed.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Trying to get out of the parking lot at Tysons.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I’ve been collecting Cavalier ornaments since I got Spencer. Each year he gets whatever tricolor gem I can find.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Our traditional dinner of prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, oven-browned potatoes and Lady Baltimore cake.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Honestly, I can't think of anything in particular I'd like.  Whatever goodies I get I am sure will be lovely.