Christmas Quiz

If you read this, tag! You’re next. Compliments of my friend [Cindy](http://herethereandback.blogspot.com/).

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Mostly Hot Chocolate, but I allow myself one Egg Nog (it’s so full of fat!).

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
In our house they were usually unwrapped, but I’d probably wrap a couple.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights on all greenery. Color wheels for the aluminum trees.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No. Suzanne has the “Mistletoad” a little frog from our college days.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Normally right after Thanksgiving. I relented this year and did a little before since I knew there was no way I’d get it done in time.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Spritz cookies! Guess that’s not really a “dish” but I do love them. We don’t have a family dish we reserve for holidays. Unless you count green bean casserole which is disgusting.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
I have a couple. I fondly remember Christmas Eve celebrations at my Nana and Papa’s where we’d eat boiled shrimp (a filet mignon for my sister), recite the Christmas story, and got to Christmas Eve services. Pat and Jane Ciccone would drop by later in the evening and Pat would play carols on his trumpet. My sister and I would put on a Christmas program and it was so much fun. When I was older, we spent Christmas with my other grandparents in Fulton, MO. The year I was 21, my older cousin John received a case of Corona beer as a gift from my mom. John and I managed to drink 22 of the 24 beers on Christmas Day. We were never really drunk because we started at noon with dinner and ended at almost mignight (and average of 1 per hour). We still refer to it as the “Corona Christmas.”

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don’t remember. Obviously it was not a traumatic experience to learn the truth. I’m willing to bet I shared my knowledge with my younger sister.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We always opened gifts at my grandparents on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With ornaments I’ve been collecting since birth. I like anything old!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love the look. Hate the reality.

12. Can you ice skate?
I could at one time, but I won’t try it now. Don’t want to risk hurting my back again. (That sounded really old!)

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
A couple of years ago, I found a really interesting piece of jewelry I wanted. I rarely ask for jewelry since I make it, but this was really unusual. Steve, in one day, drove to Kansas City and bought it for me. I thought that was really cool. Otherwise, as a child I always loved the stereo equipment I received. I distinctly remember my 8-Track player.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Trying to enjoy them! I love going to church on Christmas Eve and singing “Silent Night” while holding candles.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Spritz cookies, pecan drops and sugar cookies with Spumoni ice cream.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Stuffing stockings, Christmas Eve church.

17. What tops your tree?
Nothing. Can’t put anything on top of an aluminum tree because it messes up the branches. I do have a lovely glass topper in case I ever go back to live trees.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
When I find something special for the people I love, giving is truly a joy. I do love receiving when I get a nice surprise. It’s hard to pull one off on me, but it’s been done before and that’s so much fun.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I have tons, but the Christmas albums by The Kingston Trio and The Beach Boys are really special to me.

20. Candy Canes?
Peppermint makes me sneeze, but I do love them.

21. Favorite Christmas Movie
All the Rankin/Bass movies, Scrooged, Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story. I know this may sound un-American, but I truly dislike “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I have no idea why, but the movie irritates me.