Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Depends on what is being wrapped. 

Real tree or Artificial?
Real, and we are getting ours today from the same place we get it every year. 

When do you put up the tree?
Usually the second weekend in December. 

When do you take the tree down?
New Year’s weekend. 

Do you like eggnog?
No. 

Favorite gift received as a child?
I had this ballerina doll that spun when you held her crown.  

Hardest person to buy for?
I’m actually having a hard time with many people on my list this year for some reason.  That’s unusual for me.  Normally though, I think it’s my father. 

Easiest person to buy for?
Kids, of course.  Though I do find every year there’s one person — and that person changes annually — for whom I see unlimited possibilities.

Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes.  It’s made by Fisher Price and all the pieces are Little People. 

Mail or email Christmas cards?
Cards. 

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
The guy I dated before I met Manfrengensen — His mom never really liked me for some reason (like she had mental problems), anyway, she gave me a battery powered screwdriver.  What do you think she was trying to say?

Favorite Christmas Movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life is of course a classic that I refer to often. Though of the more modern films, I love Elf. 

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I usually start seeing things that might fit certain people on my list around Halloween.  I might start purchasing then, but not always.  I like to be more than half-finished by Thanksgiving. 

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No, but I have given things away as non-presents. 

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
This one woman in my cookie swap makes these peanut-butter-chocolate things (in the background hear Homer Simpson gargle), other than that — everything.  Both my parents and Manrengensen’s are awesome cooks. 

Lights on the tree?
Yes.  I like colored ones, though lately Manfrengensen has been into the white ones. 

Favorite Christmas song?
“Jingle Bell Rock.”  Also, a good version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” has been known to make me cry.

Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Home.

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Yes.

Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star made out of yellow felt and a recycled toilet paper roll. I made it myself a few years ago.

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Manfrengensen and I exchange ours on Christmas Eve.

Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Traffic.

Favorite ornament theme or color?
When we first got married, my mother-in-law gave me these really nice ones that have a NYC theme.  I like pulling those out.

Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Turkey and my mother-in-law’s twice-baked taters.

What do you want for Christmas this year?
An inexpensive watch that I can wear every day.  Other than that, everything I need is right here.

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

I love being together with family.  Both of our sides are fun and close.  There are a lot of laughs every year, and it’s just good to have all of our siblings come home.

I also love the excitement of the kids.  That magical belief in Santa Claus and all the anticipation of his visit.  I love putting out the cookies and milk, how the kids check for that in the morning.  I love how they climb into our bed first thing and wait for us to go down the stairs.

Your turn!