Getting in the spirit... or trying to

Tom pointed out tonight that our annual Christmas Eve celebration at the beach is but nine days away. Holy crap! I guess I'd better find some holiday spirit. I'll start by finally doing the Christmas meme from Frank's blog.

1. Real tree or artificial? Real. Sheared Douglas Fir, always. But we had an artificial one in Florida the winter we spent there, and it's one of my favorites in memory. We didn't have our decorations with us, so we decked it with paper chains and kid art and just whatever we had around the condo. It was quirky and fun, very personal.

2. When do you put up the tree? Often, the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, we still don't have one. It keeps getting put off for one reason or another. I'm trying to talk the girls into an alternative tree -- maybe we could just decorate Max and make him Guardian of the Gifts -- but they aren't going for it.

3. When do you take down the tree? The last couple of years, we've done it on January 1 or 2. I like that. (Fredian slip note: I typed "July" instead of "January" there at first. lol)

4.Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper. Gift bags are for wimps! Just kidding; I might be resorting to a few gift bags myself this busy year.

5. When do you start Christmas shopping? I at least start thinking about it in October, although I often don't get going until November. This year, I did one burst of shopping in November, one last Saturday, and the rest is still to come. I'm so late!

6. Who is the hardest person to buy for? It varies. Chloe often doesn't have much of a wishlist. Frank can be tough 'cause he tends to want expensive things. (Does anybody have a Subzero fridge they want to donate?) My mom. Nephew Brian, 'cause I don't have much practice buying for teen boys.

7. Easiest person to buy for? Myself. MJ (who often has a well developed wishlist).

8. Angel on top of the tree, or star? Angel. Mom and the girls picked it out when the girls were toddlers.

9. What is the worst Christmas gift you ever got? I can't think of one. People are always really good to me.

10. What is the best gift you received as a child? Hmm. My big brother gave me a doll-baby once; she was precious. And more generically, Mom always made my Christmas dreams come true, whatever they were.

11. What is your favorite food to eat at Christmas time? Pam's divinity.

12. What do you want for Christmas this year? I put together a little wishlist, but I don't have any one thing I'm longing for (much to Frank's chagrin).