Good morning! I have another busy weekend ahead, more wedding fun is just around the corner. I am heading to the gym to get in a workout before the madness begins. But first, I saw this fun Christmas survey on Julie’s blog and since I am pretty obsessed with Christmas, I wanted to join in on the fun!

Christmas Survey Time! If you want to join in the fun answer one, some, or all the questions in the comments section!

Christmas 2010

Eggnog or hot chocolate?

Both! Probably lean more towards Eggnong since it’s a seasonal treat.

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

Growing up they were not wrapped, there was just a pile each for my sister and I. Don’t know what I will do when I have kids. Good question!

Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White lights on the tree, mixture outside (not all in one strand but a different color for the trees, bushes, etc.)

Do you hang mistletoe?

Growing up there was some at my grandparents house (where we spend Christmas eve and Christmas) but we never had any at our house I don’t think.

When do you hang your decorations up?

Growing up it was day after Thanksgiving, since I have been married it’s the weekend before Thanksgiving.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Tough! I make a cream cheese danish for Christmas morning breakfast that’s great!

Favorite holiday memory as a child?

I have two. 1.) our neighborhood used to put out luminaries all along the streets in front of the houses on Christmas eve. It was the most BEATIFUL thing. When we would get home from my grandparents Christmas eve we would go for a walk and it was so beautiful. 2.) Dancing around the living room to Christmas music with my sister all day Christmas eve while the adults cooked. My grandparents have a huge living room with a HUGE sectional couch (like twice the length of a normal one) and we would pretend we were ballerinas and dance to the Christmas music around and around the couch for hours, getting excited about opening gifts!

What is on your Christmas wish list?

An iPod nano for when I run! (Check out my Favorite things of 2011 post)

Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?

Growing up, we would open gifts from my grandparents Christmas eve at their house and then back home one from my parents (Pajamas)

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

No particular theme, we get a new ornament anytime we go somewhere so we have a bunch! We put on Christmas music and a fire. It’s one of my favorite days of the year, decorating for Christmas!

Snow? Love it or dread it?

Living in the south my whole life, I know I would hate it. I love when we get one snowfall every year or two, it’s just enough!

Real tree or fake tree?

We had cats, so always fake. I’m pretty indifferent.

Christmas 2006

Do you remember your favorite gift?

I don’t know if it’s my favorite but I was REALLY into American Girl doll’s as a tween and so getting my dolls and outfits/furniture etc was always a favorite.

What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Celebrating the true reason for it all, Jesus’ birth. He is the reason for the season, and I really try to focus more on that than the other commercialized things.  Also, spending time with my family, our traditions.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

My mom makes amazing pralines at Christmas time, I eat about a million. Seriously.

What is your favorite tradition?

On Christmas eve we sit by the fire and my dad read’s The Night Before Christmas and the Christmas Story out of the Bible. always a special time to me. We take pictures every year as well so we have one from every year with my sister and I in our new PJ’s on the couch with my dad while he reads. Also I enjoy going to Church on Christmas eve. It puts things in perspective and is a good time to be thankful and reflective before the Christmas day madness.

What tops your tree?

Always been a star. Bobby broke ours this year so I had to buy a new one.

Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Giving! I put a LOT of thought into gifts, and get SO excited when they open them. It’s so fun for me!

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Oh Holy Night and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Candy canes, yuck or yum?

just ok, but I love peppermint fudge, bark, ice cream.

Favorite Christmas movie?

The Santa Clause and Home Alone.

What do you leave for Santa?

We always left cookies an milk, nothing now though

Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

Growing up we would have to wait at the top of the stairs until we were told we could come down. My sister and I would sit on the top step SO excited thinking about all of the toys we were about to get. My mom would video tape us coming down and into the living room. We sat by the fire and opened stockings first, then gifts, while Christmas music played in the background. Then we would eat breakfast afterwards.

Christmas 2005

Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

Either. It depends I guess on what I’m looking for.

Christmas letter or Christmas card?

Christmas card. Some (NOT ALL so please don’t get offended) people use the Christmas letter as an attention getting brag fest and that always drove me nuts. There is a way to do it well and tastefully, but some people just don’t get it. (Who has seen the Christmas letter episode of Everybody Loves Raymond. Love.)

*Side note, Christmas day is also very special in my family because it is also my mom’s birthday! On Christmas night after all the hoopla we sing happy birthday to her and she opens her gifts.

QOTD: Ok so answer one, some, or all these questions in the comments section!