Christmas Meme

I was tagged by Sarah, over at Short Stop to play along in this Christmas Meme. Read along and find out about some traditions in the Cheney Household.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I wrap gifts because the kids like to open gifts that have been wrapped. I do not have the patience for wrapping so I am not a very good at it. Lance is a super gift wrapper so if he is around, I let him do all the wrapping.
2. Real tree or artificial?
We have both. I love the real tree smell and we have always had a real tree. Two years ago, Lance wanted to have a "pretty" tree in our front room and put all the kid decorations on another tree. We bought an artificial tree for our bonus room and the kids put it up and decorate it themselves - it is all theirs!
3. When you you put up the tree?
We usually put our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, because we had company for Thanksgiving, it didn't go up until Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take down the tree?
We usually take the tree down the weekend after New Years.
5. Do you like egg nog?
Nope - yucky stuff!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I think my two favorites were the play kitchen I got from Santa when I was 3 or 4 years old and then when I got my Cabbage Patch doll from Santa in 6th grade. They were both surprises so I think they mean the most to me as I look back. I was a horrible snooper and I usually found all my gifts so anything that was a surprise was great!
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, we received a Fontanini set from my parents when we got married. I love it because the kids can play with it and I don't have to worry about them breaking anything. Although the year our golden retriever was a puppy, he did eat one of my wise men :P We also have the Little People nativity set for our kids that they have set up under their tree.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
The parents, they buy what they need or want so their isn't much left to get them
9. Easiest person to buy for?
My son Landon - he has numerous interests so it is always easy to find something for him
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I am pleading the fifth on this one :P
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I mail them and I love, love getting them!
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
It is not technically a Christmas movie but we always seem to watch The Sound of Music at some point during Christmas vacation
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I start shopping for Christmas in August or September and try to have the majority of my shopping done by Thanksgiving
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think I have
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I love to eat lefse
16. Clear lights or colored lights on the tree?
Clear lights on the tree for sure. We did put colored lights up on the house this year for the kids - they really wanted colored lights. It is torture for my husband to see those colored lights because he is a purist and would really like to just have white lights - all for the love of the kids!
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Light of the Stable by Selah and Born on this Day by Avalon
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I love to be home on Christmas Day so the kids can stay in their jammies, open their gifts, play with their toys, play games, take naps, watch movies, and eat lots of food. In the past when we have lived closer to family we have traveled either before or after Christmas Day. This will be the second year we haven't done any traveling over the holidays.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Nope, I always forget someone
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
I grew up always opening on Christmas Eve. Since we have had kids, we have opened gifts on Christmas Day because we usually were not home on Christmas Eve. Now that we are home both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we let the kids open gifts under their tree on Christmas Eve (from out of town relatives) and then on Christmas Day they open the gifts from us, get their stockings , and Santa gift.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
How rude and inconsiderate people can be at this time of the year - it is supposed to be a time to spread cheer, joy, and love!
23. What I most love about Christmas?
I don't know that I can name one thing. I enjoy celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. I just love this season. I like the baking, the making of crafts, the time with friends and family, the smells, the food, and just the feeling of the season. I love the season so much I got married as close to Christmas as possible!

I tag anyone who wants to play. I would love to read what your traditions are for Christmas!