The Christmas Tag

Since Christmas is almost here, I thought a tag would be something different and what better than a Christmas one?! While searching online, I found the Christmas Tag challenge by Kimberly from Media Mummy. I thought it was wonderful and I look forward to seeing the responses of those I tag!

Well…here goes…

What’s your favorite Christmas Movie?

See, this is hard for me because I love so many classics. Some people don’t agree but Harry Potter is completely a Christmas movie and that ranks pretty high on my list. Let’s say it has to be a classic… Well, in that case, it would have to be the original Rudolph movie with Bumble. That and the Grinch are movies I have to watch every year, especially with the kids.

 

Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Are you kidding me?! I live in western NY, most of my Christmases have been white. There have been a few that were green and it just feels wrong because a white Christmas is all I’m used to. There is nothing better than waking up that morning and looking out to see a beautiful blanket of white.

 

Where do you usually spend your holiday?

Most of the time, until recently, I’ve spent it at home. Starting last year, my husband and I decided to alternate between his parent’s house (where we live) and my mom’s house. Last year we drove 9 hours to get to where she is in Illinois. It was a long drive, even longer on the way home with a car packed with toys. From now on though, we are alternating where we spend Christmas.

 

What is your favorite Christmas song?

This is tough because I like to sing along to a lot of them with my kids. I think it would have to be Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the version with the additions. We love singing “and if you ever saw it…saw it…you would even say it glow…like a flashlight!”

 

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Yes! This was a tradition that my dad started when my sister and I were young. We each get to open one present Christmas Eve. He got to pick the gift and it had to be something we could use that night. After a few years of getting socks, my sister and I amended it and made it so that it could not be a pair of socks. So, yes…I continue this tradition with my boys as well.

 

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

You bet! We sing Rudolph every holiday season. “You know dasher and dancer and prancer and vixen, comet and cupid and donner and blitzen, but do you recalllllllllll the most famous reindeer of alllllll?” Now you can just imagine me singing that with two wild boys haha.

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this year?

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite traditions but there is one more that we have done since I was young. We love driving around to see Christmas light displays! The kids love the ones that play matching music when you tune into a certain radio station.

 

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

I had a real one when I was younger but now that I’m on my own…we have a fake one. With pets and kids the clean up around the house is already awful…imagine pine needles all over and then the pets trying to eat them or scratch the tree… I would love to have a real tree, we live right next door to a Christmas Tree farmer. Maybe someday…

What is your all time favorite holiday treat/food/sweet?

This is tough because there are so many varieties. I absolutely love EGGNOG! Both of my kids do too!

 

Be honest, do you like giving or receiving gifts better?

Giving. I am the type of person who loves to make others happy, always putting others ahead of myself. Especially when it comes to my kids. I never knew what my dad meant when he said his favorite gift was seeing the smile on our faces when we opened our gifts. I see what he meant now. I love finding unique gifts or making something personal. Bringing others joy is really what brings me joy.

 

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

Ok, well it isn’t really a physical gift. My birthday is the day after Christmas, December 26th. The year I was turning 16 my dad asked me what I really wanted for Christmas and my birthday. I told him the best gift would be to wake up to my mom and two brothers under the tree (My parents separated when I was 2 and I have a half brother and full brother.). I woke up that morning, excited to see my gifts but got something even more special. I walked into our living room to find my mom and brothers asleep on the couch. I cried and just hugged my mom. That is by far the best gift I have ever received. I’ll remember that day forever.

 

What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

I want to say someplace warm but for us, Christmas has always had snow. Maybe in the mountains in a cabin with no internet. This would force everyone to interact more. The memories we’d build there would be unforgettable.

 

Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably?

I’m a good wrapper when it comes to normal paper but when you talk about making your own box from a roll of ribbon…forget it. I wrap pretty well but I have noticed that I tend to waist more paper than I sometimes need to.

Most memorable Christmas moment?

My dad told me this story every year. I’m not sure how old I was, maybe 8. I woke up and there was a huge pile of gifts, taller than I was. I ran right into my dad’s room and starting yelling “Daddy! Daddy! Santa Came! He came and brought a WHOLLEEEEE bunch of presents!” My dad said he’d never forget the look on our faces that day. I know that was the year I got this big Barbie house.

Although, another memory sticks with me. My sister and I were young and of course, trying to catch a peek of the man in the red suit we were in our room waiting. That night we put carrots out for the reindeer, as we always did. I was about to fall asleep, I was losing my battle to keep my eyes open. A bright red light started glowing outside our window and you bet I jumped right out of bed and ran to that window. My sister and I both struggled to see anything but there were cars outside. There was nothing outside that should have caused that red glow, it looked like it came from the roof. Eventually, I gave up looking and fell asleep. The next morning the bowl of carrots was gone! It was nowhere to be found. What I did find was some chewed carrots outside in the ground. Either I saw something that night or my dad is a crazy good prankster.
 

What made you realize the truth about Santa?

Even when I knew, my dad continued to still write ‘From Santa’ on my gifts. What really gave it away I think was the year my dad tried to tell me, as mentioned above, that Santa wanted a Diet Pepsi instead of milk. I know there was a price tag left on a gift here and there. I honestly don’t know what the real moment was that made me realize the truth, it could’ve even been a friend at school ruining it for me. Kids…

 

What makes the holidays special for you?

Family. That really is what makes the holiday. Without family, the holidays wouldn’t truly be the same. I think it is even better as a mom.