As Christmas approaches I thought it would be fun to complete a holiday survey inspired by Amanda! Enjoy!
Do you send out Christmas cards?
My family sends one out every year. I’m actually in charge of making them (not hand making, just designing online). My sister and I fight over which Christmas cards we get to open from other people.
How soon do you start shopping?
I would say sometime in November. But I have a note in my phone where I jot down ideas year round.
Do you put up a Christmas tree?
Absolutely! I “decorated” it via FaceTime this year.
If so, is it fake or real?
Real. When we lived in New Jersey we had one real tree with our sentimental, fun ornaments and one fake tree that looked like it belonged Pottery Barn catalog.
Do you use homemade or storebought ornaments?
A mixture of both. One year my mom decided to forgo all of our store-bought ornaments and MAKE every single one. We made dozens of angel closepins, strung popcorn, glittered pinecones and used tinsel. It was very “nature-like.” We went back to normal the next year ;) But we still have some of those angel closepins that we use today.
Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?
Yes, on the trees.
Do you put lights on the tree?
Yes. That’s my least favorite job. Isn’t it everyone’s? My mom is a pro so I let her handle that.
How about popcorn and cranberries?
See above for our “nature” themed tree.
Do you celebrate Christmas Eve?
Yes! We go to mass (usually the children’s mass because my sister and I like seeing all the cute little kids), eat a delicious, traditional dinner, watch a holiday movie and go to bed early. The earlier we go to bed, earlier we wake up, of course!
Do you hang up your stocking?
Before it gets filled, yes. Once it’s filled, it gets moved to the couch.
Have you ever left cookies out for Santa?
Umm…I still do…believe to receive. Although, over the last ten years Santa has started leaving specific requests for what type of cookie he wants. Picky, picky.
Favorite Christmas Movie?
Elf and The Year Without A Santa Claus
Favorite character from any Christmas Movie?
Following in suit with my favorite movies…Buddy the Elf and Heat Miser & Cold Miser.
Favorite Christmas Song?
“Mary Did You Know” and “Do You Hear What I Hear”
Favorite Christmas Memory?
So many it’s hard to choose! The one that sticks out in my mind is when my sister and I walked down the steps (I was in 5th grade) and there were NO presents under the tree. Instead, there was an envelope with clues as to where the presents were hidden. It was a scavenger hunt! I was kind of annoyed at the time that I had to work for my presents, but looking back, it was such a cute idea (thanks, mom :))
My cute puppy in his Christmas collar
When do you open your gifts?
Christmas morning- EARLY. Well, 7ish.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten?
My first American Girl Doll (Kirsten) was really special. That was in 1st grade, I think.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever gotten?
UGH- business clothes. Like a literal work suit. Those were returned ;)
Give or Receive?
Give. It’s so much fun to watch loved ones open up special gifts.
Ham or Turkey?
I prefer turkey but we usually have roast beef on Christmas Day and fish on Christmas Eve.
White Lights or Colored Lights?
White!!!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My parents have done scavenger hunts in the past too. They were always so much fun. One year my parents had gotten my brother & I are very first cell phones. Well they decided to hide them & would call the number over & over again until we found them. I was quite annoyed at first as It seemed like they were hidden in the hardest spots possible! Hah!
I LOVE that idea! Better do that for your girls when they’re older :)
A scavenger hunt! That is awesome! Haha, it’s like Easter, finding the plastic eggs around the house!
Christmas morning is the one day my brother actually wakes up early like me and we go wand wait downstairs for my mom to roll out of bed eventually :P We always open stocking first while eating breakfast on the living room floor, haha! It is the best. Then we will go into the other living room and take our designated spots on the floor again.
My mom totally didn’t send Christmas cards out this year! She hates doing it and “life” was just to busy this year. I’m okay with it though….she always sends one of the only awkward random pictures she can find of my and my brother in the last year, hahahaha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…When You Become More Than Yourself
I love traditions like that :) I like being in charge of Christmas cards because I can pick out good pictures haha
I always did a scavenger hunt for my “big” gift at Easter (to go along with my basket). I always thought it was a lot of fun. Every Christmas Eve we go to the neighboring town’s downtown to see all the trees and holiday decorations. How much time we take depends on the weather!
Rebecca @ MyEagerFeet recently posted…Depression and the Holidays
I love driving around and looking at Christmas lights too!
My parents did a scavenger hunt for us to find our Christmas bunny one year! So fun!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Healthy Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup + Food Photography
The best! I wish we had it on video to relive it.
What a cute idea! I loved your answers. Elf and Year Without A Santa Claus are my fav movies too!
kristenk recently posted…Running Scavenger Hunt: It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!
They are a must watch (at least once) every Christmas!
I’m doing this on my blog later today too! What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing. It is fun to read about other traditions and memories!
Megan recently posted…From Workout to Work
I enjoy reading about other people’s traditions too :) Hope you had a great holiday!