Christmas Traditions

I read this idea on Beyond my picket fence. and quite like it,so I pinched the idea! (but I linked back so not actually pinching it exactly)

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. Bags are kept within the family and re-used but I always buy some reduced paper in January, which I also use for birthday wrapping the year.

Real tree or artificial? Artificial. I looks just fine and we have had it for years.

When do you put up the tree? When the mood takes me. This year it was the 14th. Decorations are taken down on 12th night.

Do you like eggnog? No, it tastes all eggie and horrid ( i like almost everything so this is a surprise).

Favourite gift received as a child? Sewing box, full of cotton, needles, darning wool and all sorts. Still have it and use it. Came form my favourite uncle, who died in 1998.

Hardest person to buy for? Husband. I usually go for an air ticket to visit his family but as he was there for three months in the summer I don't think that's a good idea this year.

Easiest person to buy for? All the others are fine. We know each other well.

Do you have a nativity scene? No, not really our sort of thing.

Mail or email Christmas cards? Only send to people I wont see and then generally email.

Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Shoe cleaning set from my husband. I was almost as impressed with the iron too!

Favourite Christmas movie? Die Hard - Its Christmassey, honest!

When do you start shopping? November for gifts but I buy wrapping paper, decorations etc in January or late December.

Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas dinner cooked by my mum. Best meal of the whole year. Roast turkey, little chipolatas wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, red cabbage, dried peas, parsley stuffing and sage and onion stuffing. Then if there is any room left, Christmas pudding and clotted cream (we are from Devon, no brandy butter for us)

Lights on the tree? Yes, and around the picture rail.

Favourite Christmas songs? As of today, Macy Grey singing...about Christmas. Cant quite recall the name of the track. Aues & Kirsty McColl.ll time favourite is the Fairytale of New York, The Pog

Travel at Christmas or stay home? Christmas Eve the family come to our house, Christmas day to my parents house (2 miles away) and the boxing day back to my sisters house (1 mile away).

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Nope. Donna & Blitzen, and I guess Rudolph. That's it.

Angel on the tree top, or a star? Hippo!

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas afternoon. Lunch, then walk, then pressies.

Favourite ornament theme or colour? Eclectic. There are a lot of wooden animals & the main colour is burgundy.I buy one new things each year, so it grows rather then gets bought in wholesale. I like it lots!

What do you want for Christmas this year? AN electric mincer/sausage stuffer. I have found one on eBay for £37, now I just need to direct my husband this way....