Welcome to the Holiday edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, unless it is a strange size or shape, then definitely a bag. I miss having Katie here to do the pretty wrapping.

2. Real tree or artificial? I like both....the real tree for the smell, but the artificial for less mess.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the first week of December, but we did it extra early this year so Charlotte could do it for me.

4. When do you take down the tree? Usually before New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog? yes, but don't ever drink it because it is so full of calories!


6. What about Fruitcake? not much on fruitcake....although my Aunt made a good one from scratch that I could nibble on and pick out the fruit I didn't like.

7. Favorite gift received as a child? BRIDE DOLL!....my mom sewed a bride outfit and put it on a doll I already had and I just loved it. I thought it was a new doll. I think I was five and I remember getting up at my grandparents house in the cold and seeing the bride doll. I don't think there was a Christmas tree, just a few presents sitting about.

8. Do you have a nativity scene? I do....I just love it. I would like to collect them and display them about the house. Why should we take Christ out of Christmas just because he wasn't born on Dec. 25th?

9. Hardest person to buy for? my brother

10. Easiest person to buy for? Charlotte .....because she TELLS me exactly what she wants many times to make sure I GET it!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't remember.....but the worst Christmas ever was the first one after Katie was married and gone and Charlotte got up, opened her presents, cried, and went back to bed in despair....I cried most of the day too.

12. Mail or email Christmas cards? I love to send and receive Christmas cards

13. Favorite Christmas Movie? Rudolph, and Santa Claus with Tim Allen

14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When the weather gets colder

15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes, for a party, but I don't remember the present.

16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? sausage balls, chex mix, turkey would be nice again.

17. Clear lights or colored on the tree? All lights are great, but can't stand the blinking thing

18. Favorite Christmas song? "Winter Wonderland," "White Christmas" and "Silver Bells"

19. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Travel would be ok at my age and status in life.

20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? only if i sing the song

21. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? both!

23. What is the one present you want most this year? to have all the ones I love come through the door to visit and "sit-a-spell"

24. Most annoying thing about this time of year? lines at the stores, money stress

25. What I love most about Christmas? family, thinking of the perfect gift to give, a "nip" in the air, Christmas music, getting out my Santa collection and looking at the ornaments we have collected over 31 years.

I tag Mitch and Gramps