christmas meme

Oh Sweet Violet!! Here's my tagged response.

Hot Chocolate or Apple Cider?
Cider. I only drink this during the holiday season so the association is pretty strong.

Turkey or Ham?
Neither. I’m used to lamb or roast chicken for a holiday meal now we’re in the States. On Christmas Day in South Africa we used to have cold turkey (It was summer, don’t forget).

Do you get a Fake or Real you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
Real. I sent my husband out into the whirling snow to pick out and chop down the perfect tree. See here for a picture.

Decorations on the outside of your house?
Yes. We live in a townhome so its somewhat limited but our doorway is really festive this year.

Snowball fights or sledding?
Sledding.

Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
I like the window shopping and enjoying the lights and atmosphere. Don’t like fighting the thousands of shoppers to the cash register though.

Favorite Christmas song?
I have to agree with Pug. Baby, It's Cold Outside is awesome. Though I do enjoy the older singers like Ella and Bing, and some of the more fun contemporary versions like BNL’s version of Star of Wonder with Sarah McLaughlin.

How do you feel about Christmas movies?
Two words: White Christmas. I love that movie. I could take or leave the others.

When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
In November. On Thanksgiving you have permission to whip out the Christmas cds and play to your heart’s content.

Stockings before or after presents?
After. As in the next morning!

Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them?
Yes, if I had ever actually experienced them. It might be kinda fun.

Go to someone else's house or they come to you?
We go there. We hosted Thanksgiving which was fun but right now Christmas is all about going back “home” to share with our families.

Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
No.

What do you do after presents and dinner?
At my parents’ house, in the true foreign tradition, presents and dinner pretty much take all night. It’s a slow, relaxed evening with potential for games. In the past couple of years we’ve gone to a late night church service. It's similar for my husband’s family, except it is during the day on Christmas Day.

What is your favorite holiday smell?
Christmas tree. Mulling wine is a good one too.

Ice skating or walking around the mall?
Walking around the mall. Have you seen me try to ice skate?

Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
My parents follow the German tradition of Christmas Eve for presents with stockings on Christmas morning. Mike’s family does everything on Christmas Day. Usually works out nicely.

Favorite Christmas memory?
Once again, see this entry.

Favorite Part about winter?
Snow falling with cosy atmosphere, music and a good book to read while on the couch.

Ever been kissed under mistletoe?
Yes. But not by my husband. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen mistletoe hung here. My great aunt always had it hanging in the entry way on Christmas Day when I was little.