I saw this on a friend of mine’s blog and it was fun to read. So naturally I stole it for my blog!

A Christmas Interview…

1. WRAPPING PAPER OR GIFT BAGS?

For under the tree, wrapping paper all the way. There is just something about watching the kids tear into the paper on Christmas morning.

2. REAL OR ARTIFICIAL TREE?

I grew up with a real tree. And they are by far my favorite. But the hubby 2 out of three of the kids are allergic so we have had a fake tree now for years.

3. WHEN DO YOU PUT UP THE TREE?

Sydney’s birthday is Dec 1st. And Kinsey’s is January first. When I was pregnant with Kinsey my bishop found out my due date and gave me a big lecture about how his birthday was just a day or two after Christmas and it was such a rip off as a kid because he was always getting combined Christmas and birthday presents or worse yet “left over christmas presents”. He was so adament that such a birthday so close to christmas could scar a kid that I have gone out of my way to seperate them. So the tree doesn’t go up till after Sydney’s birthday and comes down before Kinsey’s birthday. And you know what? Neither of them have ever said they felt gypt for having birthdays close to Christmas. So thanks Pres. Rennick for the advice. It totally paid off!

4. DO YOU LIKE EGGNOG?

I do in moderation. It yummy but too much gives me a stomach ache. Todd on the other hand LOVES eggnog.

5. FAVORITE GIFT AS A CHILD?

There are only two gifts that really stand out vividly to me from my child hood. One was a Carebear that my Grandma got me. (Cheer bear) She appearently had to really fight for it in the store. And the other was the Porcelin Soldier on a musical rocking horse. When you wound it up the rocking horse rocked back and forth as it played “Some day my Prince will come”. I can’t say really why I loved it so much. But I did.

6. DO YOU HAVE A NATIVITY?

I do. One painted for me by my mother.

7. HARDEST PERSON TO BUY FOR?

My Father, hands down. He is alot like me in that if I really wanted it I would just buy it. So he is a tough one. I started getting him gift cards a couple of years ago even though I know he hates that. But what can you get the guy who have everything?

8. EASIEST PERSON TO BUY FOR?

Kinsey is definitely the easiest. She always has a list a mile long of wants.   Though none of the girls are too bad.  Tatie is the second easiest with Sydney being the hardest of the three, but generally not too difficult at all.

9. EMAIL OR CARDS?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting Christmas cards in the mail. I know its a dying tradition. But I am hanging onto it tight with both hands!

10. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE?

White Christmas. No contest. I can quote the whole movie I love it so much.

11. WHEN DO YOU START SHOPPING FOR CHRISTMAS?

It depends on the year. But generally around Halloween.

12. FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT DURING CHRISTMAS?

Pumpkin Cake Roll, Deviled Eggs, Dad’s butterscotch cookies, Dip, Turkey.

13. WHITE OR COLORED LIGHTS?

White. I am purist.

14. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG?

It’s a Marshmallow World in the Winter – Johnny Mathis
Do You hear what I hear – by that guy with the really deep voice on this Christmas compilation record I grew up with.

15. TRAVEL FOR CHRISTMAS OR STAY HOME?

Christmas morning at home. But both Christmas Eve and Christmas day it’s off to the Grand’s.

16. CAN YOU NAME ALL OF SANTA’S REINDEER?

You betcha!

17. ANGEL OR STAR ON THE TOP OF THE TREE?

Star. Its gold, like my tree.

18. DO YOU OPEN PRESENTS CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS MORNING?

One gift on Christmas eve night, and the rest Santa leaves when he stops by in his sleigh after every one is asleep.

19. MOST ANNOYING THING ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR?

It goes by too fast. I miss the slowness of the holidays when I was a kid. Now it feels like a marathon getting there. Rush Rush Rush.

20. UP EARLY OR SLEEP IN?

Up semi early. The earliest we have ever gotten up was 5 am (Kinsey couldn’t wait any more). But generally its between 7 and 8am.

21. ARE YOUR GIFTS FROM SANTA OR MRS. CLAUS?

Santa. You don’t mess with the big guy!

22. DO YOU TELL THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

On Christmas eve as we are waiting to hear Santa’s sleigh bells so we know when it’s time to go to bed.

23. DO YOU LEAVE COOKIES OUT FOR SANTA?

Yes, with milk, carrots and a note. Sometimes the notes are rather funny. Like the girls telling Santa they were getting a restraining order because an old man sneaking into their house was just creepy.

24. FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION?

I love them all really. I am kind of a stickler for the routine of Christmas. But I think some stand outs are St. Nicholas day, Santa bells at bed time, Christmas cards in the mail, and Christmas morning just before the wrapping paper starts coming off – seeing the excited sleepy faces just busting to see what gifts await them.

Just 9 more days!