My Dad sent this to me via email....a Holiday Questionnare! Do partake if you so choose...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I find real joy in a beautifully wrapped gift. A gift bag is generally a cheat in my book...but that's okay. Sometimes we have to cheat!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real! Though it isn't supported in our "reduce our carbon footprint plan," I could never live without the smell and authenticity of a real frazier fir. I am in fact okay with not having one this year, since we won't be here.

3. When do you put up the tree? Growing up, it was always the weekend after Thanksgiving- that Sunday- but it could be anywhere between then and Christmas...like the rest of the world.

4. When do you take the tree down? Last year, I believe it was February....ya. Why go to so much trouble not to enjoy it right?

5. Do you like egg nog? mmmmm.delicious.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? So many were favorites at the time, but now looking back, hmmm....my Dad's old guitar and lessons. I only regret that I didn't take better advantage.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Not a really neat one of my own. I grew up with such interesting ones from Africa and so forth. I feel like so many are just super cheapo/tacky.

8. Hardest person to buy for? teenagers....my neice was the toughest this year.

9. Easiest person to buy for? I like that my Dad will appreciate anything useful and inexpensive.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail if I have the time...this year...outlook bad. E-mail won't happen either...So- Merry Christmas!!

11 .Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Lame Christmas decorations...ooh- and this re-gift which was an ornamental spotted dog scene...so strange...and I remember as a little girl, a cornshuck doll of a mama spanking a baby with a stick.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? It is a Wonderful Life.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Was I supposed to start yet? oops.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but only for those situations where it really makes sense...orobably.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? CLEAR! There's just something about the colored lights that makes it not Christmasy anymore...just so 80's or something!

17. Favorite Christmas song? River by Joni Mitchell

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Well, generally I would say "home," but I am Oh so excited about Christmas in Brazil this year. I think it just depends on the year and the opportunities.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel....specifically Brian's "messy hair" angel.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on Christmas eve....p.j.'s, then the rest on Christmas morning.

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? TACKY things people put in their yards!!!!

23. Favorite ornament, theme or color? The most memorable ornament from my childhood was a wooden dragon that had wings which would flap then you pulled on the fishing line. It was so big when I was little. It just stood out.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham and pineapple casserole and all the other good stuff my mom makes.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing. A trip to Brazil is enough. If I had to say something, it would be household NECESSITIES. I have gotten really frustrated in the last couple of years with all the waste that goes into Christmas buying. I hate when people feel obligated, but then it's just something that you put on a shelf and have to figure out what to do with later...why have we made this holiday such a devastating attack on the environment each year? ...Am I taking after you Ebenezer?

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Sunday? You're just such a devoted blogger. Now I've put you up to it!

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Brian