A Christmas Survey

Merry Christmas Eve! I saw this Christmas survey on Amber’s blog yesterday and I thought it would be fun to chime in with my answers. Enjoy!

Favorite Christmas movie?

The Santa Clause, followed closely by Elf. The Santa Clause will forever hold the number one place in my heart because of how many memories I have attached to it. My brother and I quote it frequently all throughout the year. I like to watch it every Christmas Eve night!

Favorite Christmas song?

It’s a tie between Carol of the Bells and Go Tell It on the Mountain.

White or colored lights?

I like white lights on the tree and colored lights everywhere else. This year, we have white lights on our tree, red lights bordering a window, and I have colored lights for my cubicle at work. I’m equal opportunity, I guess you could say. 😉

Christmas Eve traditions?

We don’t have any Christmas Eve traditions in my family. We celebrate on Christmas Day, usually. This year, my aunt is hosting a family dinner on Christmas Eve, since they’re going out of town on Christmas. Usually, Christmas Eve is about watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, and anticipating the following morning!

Oh! I do have one fun Christmas Eve tradition that my brother and I used to have where we would try to stay up all night, in anticipation of Christmas morning. Once we had our own rooms, one of us would sneak into the other’s room and we would spend the night playing games, reading, and talking. And, it never failed, we would eventually fall asleep around 1 or 2. The only year we were successful with staying up the whole night was when we stayed at my uncle’s on Christmas Eve and had his collection of movies to keep us entertained. (I believe we ended up watching Independence Day and Men in Black? Quintessential Christmas movies, I know!)

How did Santa deliver the gifts?

So I’ve lived in apartments my whole life, and in all the movies, Santa enters through the fireplace. We didn’t have a fireplace. (Also: Florida.) So, when I was little, I asked my mom how Santa delivered our Christmas gifts, and she said he entered through the front door. ?!?! As a five-year-old, I thought this was an acceptable answer. And Santa’s gifts were always wrapped, another thing I thought was odd because, in the movies, Santa gifts were never wrapped! I don’t remember thinking much of it, though. I stopped believing when I was around seven when everything stopped making sense to me. I guess you could say I am easily skeptical.

Christmas Day traditions?

When I was a kid, Christmas Day started around 4am or 5am. My brother and I would wake up and go through our stockings. Then, we would wake my mom and dad up at 6 to open gifts. My dad would make breakfast, and we would play with our gifts before going over to a relative’s house for more Christmas presents and dinner.

Nowadays, Christmas is different. This year, my mom and I will open presents in the morning, but probably not until 8 or 9. (I’ll probably still be up early because I still get little kid excited about Christmas morning!) Then, we’ll clean up and start cooking Christmas dinner. This year, it’s a small gathering, something my brother requested. It will just be my mom, my brother, my sister-in-law, my nephew, and me. (My mom’s fiancé is going to be on the road. Bummer!) They’re coming around 2 to open presents, eat dinner, and hang out. It’s going to be a busy day, but a fun one!

Favorite Christmas cookie?

I really love Joy the Baker’s double chocolate peppermint cookies. I made them for the first time last year, and they’ve become my go-to. I also make a mean M&M cookie, something my mom requests I make for family get-togethers. What I don’t love is sugar cookies with frosting. I have a raging sweet tooth but even those are way too sweet for me to handle.

Favorite Christmas candy?

Hmm… I like chocolate-covered cherries, but that’s about it. Oh! And Snickers nutcrackers. Somehow, those taste better than a regular Snickers bar to me.

Eggnog… yes or no?

Yes and no? I’m slightly lactose intolerant, so I really shouldn’t be drinking it, but I make an exception for eggnog every once in a while. It’s one of those drinks I’ll have if it’s around, but don’t go out of my way to have it.

White elephant exchanges… love them or hate them?

I love White Elephant gift exchanges! My work throws one every year, and it’s hilarious to watch people fight over the gifts. It gets cutthroat! I always get stuck with a lame gift, but I don’t even mind it. The experience more than makes up for it.

Do you send Christmas cards?

I haven’t sent Christmas cards for a couple of years now. I used to send them to blog friends, personalized cards with a message, but it was such an intense project and a little costly that I stopped last year. I think sending Christmas cards is more fun when you’re married and/or have kids. For me, right now, not really worth the effort. (Hashtag Grinch?)

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Hm… well, I posted my wish list for this Christmas last week, so anything on that list would make me happy! But, really, this year more than ever before has shown me how incredibly blessed my life is. There is a lot to be grateful for, so I guess I’m just happy I’ll spend my holidays surrounded by family.

Have a fun and safe and blessed Christmas, my friends. I’ll be back next week with my usual year-end wrap-up posts.