Blessings From Home

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No, but probably would if I could find some

5. When do you put up your decorations?

Sometimes we put them up the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year we're waiting until Dec. 1st

6. Tree -- real or artificial?

artificial (prelit) tree

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Going out Christmas Eve night to look at all the lights around town

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I remember a mean girl at school telling me how stupid I was for believing in that. I'm not for sure exactly how old I was. I know I was younger than 10, but I remember my parent's telling me and thinking I would be so shocked and telling them I'd known for a couple years and just didn't tell.

 9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

We usually open two gifts on Christmas Eve, usually some new warm pj's to sleep in  and thier new ornament

 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Ornaments are a traditional gift in our family, so we load up the tree with several of our favorites and usually rotate every year.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?

I'm a homebody, and so I just love sitting in my home watching it snow.

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes, but not that good

13. Do you remember your favorite gift as a child? 

Thinking back the one that I absolutely loved was the year my parents bought me a gameboy, but I really appreciated all the wonderful handmade gifts my grandma always gave me more than anything

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you now?

Spending time with my husband and kids and teaching them the true meaning of Christmas

15. What is your favorite holiday dish/dessert?

Haystacks or martha washington candy. My mom makes them for me every year and always sticks some back just for me

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? 

Driving around to see all the Christmas Decorations that every one has put out and the advent activities that the kids and I do up til Christmas

17. What tops your tree?

A star

18. Which do you prefer -- giving or receiving?

Giving! I get so much joy seeing everyone open up the gifts that I made just for them.

19. What is your favorite Christmas carol/song?

Oh Holy night and

Grandma got ran over by a reindeer, my favorite funny song (My grandma would always sing that when we'd come visit it at Christmas)
20. Candy canes, yes or no?

I like to stir by hot chocolate with candy canes and then eat them

21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized?

Absolutely...I refuse to even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, with the exception of gifts 

22. What is your favorite Christmas TV special (not movie)?

Frosty the Snowman

23. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Rocky Mountain Christmas

24. Do you have a favorite Christmas book/story?

We have a beautifully illustrated book of the Christmas Story that we read every Christmas Eve 

25. Anything else you want to share about your holiday memories/traditions that you haven't shared?

As a child, I hated Christmas. My parents were divorced and I had to travel back and forth to their houses(one in Oklahoma, one in Texas, I spent most of my holiday on the road, no fun for a kid). And my dad would always tell me something to get me to spend Christmas Day with him and then when I'd get there, we never would do anything. As an adult, I've learned to appreciate the holiday for what it truly is, Christ's Birthday, and also for my children's sake, but I still do not like having to travel the whole holiday season.