Ronnie's Christmas Meme

If you're having a hard time coming up with a post, grab this meme and join the fun! Thanks for putting it up Ronnie!

Wrapping paper or gift bags? 

Mostly I wrap, but when it comes to crunch time I’ll grab a bag.

Real tree or artificial? 

We always have an artificial one these days. I miss the smell of a real tree though. 

When do you put up the tree? 

Usually about the second week of December. But I put it up the day after Thanksgiving this year because Mollie was here to help.
When do you take the tree down? 

Since the boys don’t usually come until early in January ours stays up a bit longer than I’d usually like to keep it up. It goes down when they leave.
Do you like eggnog? 

I love eggnog. Not exactly on my low carb diet, but a little at Christmas won’t hurt… I hope.

Favorite gift received as a child? 

I always got a new baby doll which I loved and often a new toy gun that I loved equally.

Hardest person to buy for? 

My son-in-law!
Easiest person to buy for?

Mollie! She always has plenty of suggestions!

Do you have a nativity scene? 

Sometimes.

Mail or email Christmas cards? 

I send out very few, but I use snail mail for them.

Worst Christmas gift ever received.

A slip from an aunt when I was ten. Whoopee.

Favorite Christmas movie? 

Tie between It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34^thStreet
When do you start shopping for Christmas? 

Early, soon after Mollie’s birthday in October. I HATE crowds and I’m not shopping once the hordes begin.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present to a local charity.

Yes, it’s often something nice but just not my style or doesn’t meet my needs. It could be perfect for someone.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Anything not on the healthy living diet! 
Lights on the tree; colored or white?

I love both. Ours are white.  

Favorite Christmas song?

What Child is this 

Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Home! All my life it’s been home and I do like it that way. We might head off to see family later in the day on Christmas. But always close to home. 
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yes. I learned the song along with everyone else!

Angel on the tree top or a star? 

Neither
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? 

Shouldn’t this be an easy question? It isn’t.  Christmas eve we open with Nick’s family. Then, in the past we opened the rest Christmas morning. But unfortunately, my children don’t live here anymore. We open a little Christmas night when my sister and BIL stop by on their way from seeing their grandson. Then we have ‘Christmas’ whenever the boys come. And on that day the time depends on when they get up, get their showers, have their coffee… By then I’m usually chomping at the bit!

Favorite ornament theme or color? 

I love the randomness of our tree. No theme, no rhyme or reason. Just whatever ornaments I thought the kids would like. We range from ‘I love Lucy’ to Harry Potter ornaments.

Favorite for Christmas dinner?

Turkey, rice and gravy, my SIL’s sweet potato casserole, corn, lima beans, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie 

What do you want for Christmas this year?

My children home, my renovation complete, and my books to become best sellers – movie to follow! 
Who is most likely to respond to this?

Anyone who has a spare minute and wants to jump into the fun.