Another FRIDAY Fun Christmas TAG

Another Christmas TAG from Elysa. She didn't tag me, but said anyone who wanted to play could, so I am.

Favorite traditional Christmas song: The Christmas Song sung by Nat King Cole (brings back lovely Christmas memories of when I was a child) and Ave Maria sung by Harry Connick, Jr.

Favorite contemporary or modern Christmas song: I Pray on Chrismas sung by Harry Connick, Jr. (lovely bluesy song!)

Christmas song that makes you cry: Mary Did You Know sung by Donny Osmond

Real or artificial tree: REAL!

Favorite Christmas edible treat: Molasses Drop Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

White lights or multi-colored: BOTH!

How many Christmas parties will you go to this year? One

Favorite act of kindness to perform during this season? Totally secret gifts to those not expecting it.

Favorite sounds of Christmas: The vibrant songs of my fellow parishioners at church singing together during the Christmas Eve service

Favorite things to wear: Red poinsetta earrings and "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" pins

Favorite Christmas movie/TV special: A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Chipmunk Christmas, and White Christmas (love the songs in that!)

Eggnog or hot chocolate: Hot Chocolate!!! Eggnog only if it has been heavily masked with rum.

Favorite Christmas book: The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier

Peppermint or cinnamon: Both

What's on the top of your tree? Our tree is not up yet since we keep it up through Epiphany and do not put it up before our anniversary (which was yesterday), but when it does go up, probably tomorrow since our 7-year old cannot WAIT, it'll have either a star (last year it was an angel and we alternate)

Traditional Christmas meal growing up: Turkey or duck (duck is greasy and I don't like it!) or cornish game hens, with the usual trimmings of home-made mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffings, cranberry sauce (from the can), green bean cassarole, fruit salad (canned fruit, jello and whip cream with toasted coconut on top) and pumpkin pie!

Online shopping or traditional "go to the store" shopping: Traditional -- it's the only time I get to really shop with my hubby!

Something you rec'd as a Christmas gift as a child that you still have: As an Air Force brat, we learned early on to purge and get rid of things that were no longer useful, so as I grew up and wasn't playing with things, my mother was sending them to her my sister's children in Texas. The only toy I have left from my childhood is one Liddle Kiddle (she's a Gardenia one, and looks better than the one pictured there). I don't know if she came to me as a Christmas gift, or birthday gift, or Easter basket surprise!

How many Christmas cards you have mailed so far: Three!

Favorite source for Christmas ideas: ??

Coordinated/themed or hodge-podge tree decorations: Hodge-podge, I've never had the time or resources for a coordinated theme.

What's on the top of YOUR Christmas wishlist: Our trusty printer, scanner, fax machine had a cartridge leak all over -- I want that all-in-one unit to be cleaned of the icky ink so I can use it again!

Roles you've played in Christmas plays/programs: I had a solo in my 6th grade musical program which was filmed by a local TV station. I sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth" a very 70's song.

We will celebrate the 12-days of Christmas again this year. An idea that came from a Pastor on the Martin Loopers list. One gift will be opened on Christmas Eve (that's our family tradition which was my family's tradition), after our church service. Then gifts from others (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) will be opened on Christmas Day. Our gifts to each other will be opened one per day through Epiphany. It helps to decrease the greediness and helps us take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. This allows our children to really enjoy each gift.

And now, for your viewing pleasure is a picture from Christmas 1962. We were still in Japan and this is what my parents had made up.

I'm the toddler, then in the middle is my sister, Pat, holding my brother, Paul, and next to Pat is my oldest sister, Pam. Pam and Pat had finger curls, I am sporting what we have come to call "the grandma ponytail" since it was my mom who did it and liked it, and Paul is just a baldy.