Christmas meme!

I know that Christmas is officially over, but I found this over at Maidink's blog and it was cute. Plus, I need something to get me going.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?

EGG NOG! Did you see my recipe?

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

They get wrapped, but rarely in enough time to go under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Colored lights. But I always find it striking when people decorate in just white lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Sometimes. One year, Tara and I left it up for the entire year.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Ideally, the weekend after Thanksgiving and certainly by Dec 1. In reality, whenever they get put up. But the tree is always first.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

You mean there's more than dessert? Huh, well, then it would have to be sweet potato stuff. I make a mean smashed sweet potato (it's now my "famous" dish). A ham is always good, too.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Unfortch, these are few and far between. We quit putting up a tree and major decorations after I was about 12. I suppose it would be spending time with family, in general.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I really don't remember. Perhaps it was a gradual realization.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Yup! Every year. Tara and I can't wait to give each other our gifts. And by the time we actually give each other our gifts, they're half given already.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Buttload of lights, then the ornaments (a mix of many), then the garland. That's if we make it. This year the tree only got lights until Tara finally managed to put a garland and some ornaments on it.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?

I'm from Florida, of course I love snow!

12. Can you ice skate?

Reasonably well. But, again, I'm from Florida. This happens only every few years.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

No, I can't recall. This year I received the Book of Runes, which was pretty cool and what I wanted.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Spending time with family - blood and acquired.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

OMG - CHEESECAKE! The family recipe cheesecake is my favorite, with any cheesecake coming in a distant second. My friend Elaine makes this fabulous pumpkin cheesecake that is to die for. Is there anything else besides cheesecake?

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Making my cheesecake. As long as it gets made at least once during the season, I'm happy. Seriously, it's the only tradition my mom and I have. I also usually like it as my birthday cake. Tara and I like to have the celebratory egg nog (with Skittles getting a big nip) when Santa comes during the Thanksgiving Day parade.

17. What tops your tree?

We have this red, sparkly thing right now, but I'd really like a star or an angel.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

Uh, yeah, that would be receiving. Now, before I get shit, let me explain that I have huge gift-giving anxiety. Seriously, that's why I wait so long, then I'll be forced to pick something and if it's awful, well, I can blame it on the lack of selection.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

In case you live under a rock, I'll remind you that it's Wham's Last Christmas. Best song ever! The traditional Little Drummer Boy is a distant second.

20. Candy canes: yuck or yum?

Eh, yum, I guess. They really don't do it for me. I like to swizzle them around my hot chocolate for a nice treat.

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

Maybe the original Miracle on 34th Street. And, of course, Home Alone, if just for the sound track alone.

22. What do you leave for Santa?

Nothing, but Tara insists on leaving milk and cookies.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but let me know if you do it!