*UPDATE*
Both Mom and Melissa’s answers are below mine!!!!
Hey Siestas! I was just thinking about doing a Christmas questionnaire on the blog when, about a minute ago, I got a request to do this one through a comment from Kim Safina. This will be perfect! Thanks, Kim!
1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree
Fresh
2. Favorite Ornament
This horse I got in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It has little bells on its feet.
3. Favorite Christmas Song
“Jesus Born on This Day” on Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas” CD.
4. Favorite Tradition
Picking out a tree. Driving around to look at lights. Seeing my family open the gifts I’ve bought them. Mom and Dad cooking a big breakfast after we’ve read the Christmas story and opened presents.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received
Last year Mom gave me a huge box of all the clothes she had saved from when I was a baby. I had no idea she still had them, so it was a very big surprise. It’s so fun to have those now since we’re having a baby girl in just two months!
6. Favorite Christmas Meal
Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and chocolate cake.
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
Paulie’s beautifully decorated and equally delicious shortbread cookies!
8. Favorite Place To Be
Wherever Curtis and Jackson are! If we can celebrate Christmas with both of our families in the same year, that is very special.
9. Favorite Memory
When Melissa and I were very little girls, Santa came to visit us on Christmas Eve at our grandparents’ house. It was so magical. Then about four years ago, when we were again at my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve, Santa came to visit my two youngest cousins. It was so fun to see their faces. It also SNOWED that night. In Houston! It was truly a Christmas miracle. You cannot imagine how special it was for all of us.
This is a picture of Melissa and me and our cousins that year.
Hannah, Joe, John, Ben, Melissa, and me in front.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie
“Elf.” I really enjoy watching this with my sister because she laughs so hard!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Siesta Mama’s:
1. Fresh and the fatter the better
2. Felt ornaments with my girls’ pictures on them that were made in their classes when they were little; add to that my ornaments with Jackson’s pictures
3. 4Him – A Strange Way to Save the World; Travis – In the First Light
4. Reading the Christmas story as a family first thing that morning and holding hands and each praying; On the superficial side, taking as long as possible to open the presents then Amanda, Melissa and I, all in my bedroom putting on and taking off every single new garment and gushing, “Oh, that is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen on you!” “No, YOU!!!”
5. I’d always driven a heap. I do mean A HEAP. Most of my years it was my parents’ old yellow and black Dodge Dart. I never left the house without jumper cables and a jug of water for when – not IF – the radiator overheated. I didn’t even know to feel cheated. One Christmas at Keith’s parents, I opened my present from him and it was a set of keys. A used but totally spotless Champagne colored Cadillac (a block and a half long) was sitting in his parents’ garage for me. I couldn’t even get in it. I buried my head in Keith’s chest and sobbed my eyes out right in front of everybody.
6. Major Dad always fixed Reuben Sandwiches on Christmas Eve in my house growing up and I miss them so badly. Nobody has ever been able to make Reubens like him. My first Christmas Eve in Heaven I plan to run to his mansion and stand there and squeal while he flips them on the griddle. Then I want to hear him tell the same old jokes and we’ll laugh like we’ve never heard them. On Christmas Day, I love the traditional meal. Especially the dressing because my beloved Mom fixed it so well and loved it like nobody I’ve ever known. I never miss my parents more than on Christmas. They were simple people who never made an extra dime and threw a very modest celebration but somehow, no matter how problems had filled the rest of the year, Christmas time was magical.
7. Pillsbury Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies with colored Betty Crocker Butter Cream icing and sprinkles. I’m not kidding.
8. In my same den of 24 years, up while it’s still dark, presents all in place, and on my knees all alone in front of the fire place.
9. Christmas 1981 at my parents with my huge family of origin in a very tiny den. My little brother read the Christmas story that year with us all gathered around and no sooner than he read, “And it came to pass in those days…”, Amanda, just two and a half, crawled out of the chair and went to her knees, cupped her little hands like she was praying and kept her eyes shut through the whole reading – but changing expressions with every scene. Not a dry eye in the house. Then, to top it off, a little while later we opened presents and I got to surprise Keith with blue baby booties and announce that our second child was on the way. He’d been begging for a second child since the day our first was born. That second baby would never wear those blue booties…and not once would I ever regret that God gave me another girl. I would not trade that little wild ride for anything in this world.
10. Elf, hands down. And for exactly the same reason Amanda said. Melissa laughs so hard that we nearly…we nearly…well, you know what we nearly do.
PS. IT’S SNOWING IN HOUSTON TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER IN YOUR LIFE HAVE YOU SEEN A STAFF OF SELF-RESPECTING ADULTS ACT LIKE BIGGER FOOLS THAN WE HAVE JUST ACTED OUT ON THE FRONT LAWN OF LPM. THANK YOU, LORD! (But stick with the post theme or AJ might snatch me baldheaded for adding that little addendum. Shoot fire, it’s already stopped but, boy, was it exciting while it lasted!)
Melissa’s Christmas Favorites
1. Fresh Tree/Fake Tree? Fresh! Who doesn’t love a little pine allergy once a year?
2. Favorite Ornament- My favorite ornament is the angel tree topper (I think it counts as an ornament) that Amanda and I fought over every year. Dad usually chose who it was going to be and lifted us up to place it high up on the tree. Don’t ask me how we found a way to fight over that?!?
3. Favorite Christmas Song- Hands down, O Holy Night, preferably by Mariah Carey. Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas is seriously musically authoritative. And how cute was she in that little Santa outfit on the cover?
4. Favorite Tradition- My Mom usually procrastinates wrapping all the presents until Christmas Eve. So she bans us to come downstairs after like 8:30 pm. Well, don’t tell her, but my favorite thing to do is to sneak down around midnight and look at all the Christmas presents in the living room. I still do and I’ll do it again this year. I can never sleep on Christmas Eve.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received- The gift I remember being most excited about was a pair of Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes in fifth or sixth grade. I shook the box for months and months and months. In those days, my Dad refused to spend over $30 for a pair of shoes and he would make a really big deal even spending that. To get a pair of Air Jordan’s was like wearing a Cartier watch in sixth grade. I was all class, tomboy class.
6. Favorite Christmas Meal- The typical meal, nobody better mess with me and try to change it up. Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry (the fake kind from the can NOT real cranberry), Green-Bean casserole/Broccoli-Rice casserole. Then wait a few hours and do it all over again.
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie- Amanda has made these butterscotch haystacks the past few years that I think about all year long. They are so smooth and crunchy all at the same time, and for some reason they remind me of my Nanny. I think it is because she made chocolate & butterscotch Rice Krispy treats with peanut-butter when she was still alive.
8. Favorite Place to be- Houston, no matter how nasty/hot the weather, with Keith, Beth, Amanda, Curtis, Jackson, and Colin Fitzpatrick.
9. Favorite Memory- A couple of years ago on Christmas Eve Colin and I were in the beginning phase of dating. We went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at First Baptist and then we drove around looking at Christmas lights. He kept saying, “Are you for real?” “Are you for real?” “You really like me!?!” Anyway, I knew who the joke was really on and that I was really the lucky one in the relationship, but I’ll never forget him saying that and the look on his face.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie- Well, Mom and Amanda stole my thunder. Elf is absolutely my favorite. In fact, it is on our TV as we speak…or as I type, rather. I will say though that Home Alone comes in a close second, though it is not technically a Christmas Movie. It is hilarious and it has special family significance to me that I keep pondered in my heart. Always.
1. Have fake, but after looking at your pic and a real one at lunch, I’m thinking we might do that next year.
2. The things my kids make.
3. O Holy Night or I Heard the Bell on Christmas Day by Casting Crowns. Got to hear Natalie Grant sing O Holy Night and them do that one on Monday night at their Christmas show. WOW!
4. Christmas Eve Candlelight service at the church I grew up in.
5. Probably my first stereo. I’ve always been a music lover.
6. I like all of the appetizers that go along with all of the little gatherings.
7. Does homemade caramel with nuts count as a cookie? YUM YUM!
8. With family
9. My mom died 7 years ago when I was 25. I was pregnant with my oldest child that last Christmas we had with her and her joy was overflowing. That is my favorite memory, having my family in tact and the joy of looking forward to our first child’s birth, also she was the first grandchild.
10. Mine is ELF too. When he runs and jump into the tree trying to put the star on, I loose it. HILARIOUS!!! Sometimes just looking at him in that costume is funny. So great!
1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree
Fresh
2. Favorite Ornament
A “Baby’s First Christams” ornament from 1983…I was born Jan 11, 1984 🙂
3. Favorite Christmas Song
Oh Holy Night
4. Favorite Tradition
Every Christmas Eve, our whole family gets to open a new pair of pajamas
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received
When I was 15, I came downstairs to find a sweet little puppy under the tree
6. Favorite Christmas Meal
Beef Tenderloin
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
Sugar Cookies with lots of icing
8. Favorite Place To Be
At my parentss house in Virgina Beach with my husband and 4 siblings
9. Favorite Memory
Decorating cookies and dancing around the house to Christmas music with my sisters
10. Favorite Christmas Movie
Elf is my favorite too! I just watched it on Friday. I literally watch that movie all year round!
1.Largest – fresh
small ones all over house-fake
2.a Hallmark Raggedy Andy I got our first Christmas together – 1974
3. I love just about ALL Christmas songs!
4. Watching my family open gifts, reading the Christmas story and the Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve
5. Year before last on Christmas Eve my daughter told us she and her hubby were expecting out 4th grandchild!
6.Turkey, dressing with cranberry sauce, broccoli/rice casserole,and
divinity
7.Good ole sugar cookies
8.At home with all my family!
9.Oh my goodness.. I have too many wonderful memories to pick just one!
10. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Martha in MS
1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree:
Fresh
2. Favorite Ornament:
I like all of my ornaments, they all have a sentimental place, I have decorations of my 6 kids, victorian, golds, red/greens, so my tree is divided into 1/4th’s and from each of these angles you get a different theme. I call it my HODGE PODGE TREE that is beautiful.
3. Favorite Christmas Song:
“Mary Did You Know” either by Kenny Rodgers or Mark Lowry.
4. Favorite Tradition:
I too have many memories of driving around looking at Christmas lights, sitting around the table making/decorating sugar cut out cookies. Mostly just being with friends and family.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received: Most anything really simple where someone has given thought to the things I like most. Probably just watching others get their favorite gifts.
6. Favorite Christmas Meal:
Ham, scalloped potatoes, veggie
tray, pineapple/carrot jello
salad.
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie:
Cut out sugar cookies which we
decorate.
8. Favorite Place To Be:
Home, and have my 6 children their w/their spouse/boyfriends/girlfriends.
9. Favorite Memory:
Getting up very early Christmas morning as a child w/great anticipation and also when my 6 were little watching their faces w/excitement.
10.Favorite Christmas Movie:
White Christmas
1. Fake tree – but looks good
2. Favorite Ornament:Santa kneeling at the Manger
3. Favorite Christmas Carol:O Holy Night
4.Tradition – opening one gift on Christmas Eve
5. Hot Pink Cowgirl boots when I was 10
6. Meal: Turkey, Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Salad, Brocolli & Rice Caserrole, Sweet Potato Souffle, Pumpkin Pie
7. Cookie: – none?
8. Place to be – with my Daughter, Son-in-Law, Grandson and Granddaughter
9. Memory – Waking up the year I was nine and having a White Christmas
10. Movie – It's A Wonderful Life
1. Fake or Fresh: Both, but right now we have a fake. So much easier.
2. Favorite ornament: My Reeses’ cup ornament.
3. Favorite song: Jesus Saves by our own Miesta Travis.
4. Favorite Tradition: Traveling to see family. While there we have lots of traditions with each family. Tim’s side all revolve around food. My side revolves around chaos…good chaos.
5.Favorite gift ever received: The Elsie Dinsmore, Life of Faith serious. Tim truly surprised me by that one. I so love those books!!
6. Favorite Christmas meal: Chicken casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli salad, green beans, and hot cresent rolls. Dessert includes lots of options!
7. Favorite Christmas cookie: My own sugar cookie. ;o)
8. Favorite Place to be: with Tim and Grace.
9. Favorite memory: Lot’s of memories, not sure that I have a favorite…there have been some I’d like to forget though.
10. Favorite movie: It’s a Wonderful Life
Blessings everyone!
1. fresh tree…no question!
2. ornament: christopher radko "pinata" since i am from san antonio!
3. song: any grant's Emmanuel and O little town of Bethlehem medley
4.tradition: Advent calendar & looking at lights
5. gift: my parents' salvation the sunday b4 Christmas 1986
6. meal: chili and tamales
7. cookie: molasses crinkles
8. place 2 B: with my family
9. memory: my parents' salvation at the end of a horrific yr for my family including my grandmother's death, my cousin's murder and my parents' bankruptcy–nothing will ever top hearing my youth minister looking at me from the pulpit (right after my parents had gone forward~individually, w/o previous discussion to receive Christ) and saying "merry Christmas, Cindi Allen!"
10. Christmas vacation!!!!!!!!
I can hardly wait to read these.
1. Tree-Fake. No one gasp. My husband brought home a white tree a few years ago and decided we should decorate it with all my purple ornaments. (What a sweetheart!) Honestly, it’s breathtaking!
2. Ornament- whether the tree is purple or a mix… I always have my nail with a red ribbon on it at the top. I’ve had it for close to 30 years. It reminds us why Jesus was born here, after all.
3.Song-“Mary Did You Know?”
4. Tradition-Going to church on Christmas eve, come home have “snacky” foods, open gifts.
5.Gift-diamond earrings from my husband.
6. Meal-Prime Rib
7. Cookie-My mom’s shortbread recipe. Oh my!
8. Place to be-Right here in Sheridan Wyoming with my husband and daughters, and now, my son-in-law too.
9. Memory-As a young child, my family decided to drive from Chicago area to Kansas on Christmas eve on the spur of the moment. Took all our presents we had just opened. I was in the back seat of the ’60 chevy with a very large stuffed dog named Dudley. He was an orange-y sort of color. Slept against him most of the way there. I still remember the feel of his fur.
10. Movie- NO CONTEST HERE!! “Muppets Christmas Carol”!!! Light the lamp not the rat! Light the lamp not the rat!
Melana in Wyoming
Here we go…How fun is this going to be to read from Siestaville…..
1. Tree -Fake – to many allergies
2. Ornament – Isaac made an ornament when he was about 3 years old with his hand print on it and a poem attached. I still cry to this day.
3. Song – O Holy Night.
4. Tradition – Hot chocolate, driving to see the lights, a big breakfast between Santa presents and family presents. Making Christmas cookies with a group of girl friends (what a hoot this is).
5. Gift – An angel given to me by an aunt and uncle years after I had seen it…they remembered how much I loved it and sent it as an early present one year.
6. Meal – Ham, glazed carrots, dressing, homemade bread, pies, and lots of cookies and cakes.
7. Cookie – Grandma sugar cookies made with coconut and cut our sugar cookies with icing.
8. Place to be – With my husband and children and if at all possible with my brothers family as well…all is near perfect.
9. Memory – One year my parents told my brothers and I, Christmas presents would be very hard to come by, so we should not expect to much. Well…when we woke up on Christmas morning there was hardly a place to walk. There were so many presents. We knew my father had been working a lot but found out later he had taken a second job because he could not stand the thought of us not having a good Christmas.
10. Movie – The Santa Clause and The Bishops Wife.
Merry Christmas and God Bless You All,
Royana (Isaac’s Mom)
1.Fake – husband has allergies
2.Reindeer – I only allow reindeer on my tree. Each year I get a new one and then I look at each one as I had them to my girls to put on the tree. They bring back great memories.
3.The Little Drummer Boy – my favorite is by 4Him
4.We serve breakfast to the homeless in downtown Houston every year. We have to get up around 5:00 am and the kids don’t open their gifts until we get back. Watching my young girls hand food to the homeless (mostly men) and wish them Merry Christmas is priceless. Last year, there was not an organized breakfast so we had to do our own. My girls colored 200 white lunch bags and we stuffed them with breakfast goodies and drove around downtown at sunrise handing out the bags.
5.It was an early Christmas present. I found out I was pregnant on Thanksgiving Day with our second daughter. We had been trying and had lost a few, so it really made the season special.
6.It doesn’t matter the food, just shared with family.
7.My husband’s grandmother’s Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
8.With my family
9.Serving breakfast downtown a couple of years ago when it was VERY cold for Houston. Someone had brought hand warmers for those who were serving. My middle daughter, who was probably 7 at the time, had some since she didn’t have gloves. As we were heading for the car, she stopped and turned back toward the few homeless still there. She ran up to this large man and gave him her hand warmers and said, “You need these more than I do.†As she came back, there were tears in the eyes of all the adults who saw the exchange. That is the meaning of Christmas!
10.Polar Express
Fresh Tree or Fake Tree:
Fresh when I put one up. Usually I just decorate the house.
Favorite ornament: Anything with an angel on it.
Favorite Christmas song: Mary, Did You Know?
Fav. Tradition: Going to a movie on Christmas Eve afternoon with my children and then driving around to look at Christmas lights.
Favorite Gift: Willow Tree nativity that I just received this year.
Fav. Christmas meal: Ham, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green beans, biscuits, and pumpkin pie!
Fav. Christmas cookie: Peanut butter with chocolate kisses
Favorite place to be: With my family.
Fav. Memory: My 23-year old son’s 2nd Christmas – he was 15 months old so just old enough to understand Christmas. He came down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought and just stood in the middle of the floor staring at his gift and saying “Oh…oh…oh!”
Fav. Christmas movie: Home Alone
Tree: We have a for real tree. 10 footer. *loves it to pieces*
Favorite ornament: all the ones I made in elementary school and the ones my granny gave me a few years back before she passed away.
Favorite Christmas song: O Holy Night by Point of Grace. Defintely gives me shivers.
Fav. Tradition: Riding around seeing Chrismas lights. Christmas at the Farm. Christmas Eve at my granny’s. Chsristmas at my nana’s. Did I mention I have lots of family?
Favorite Gift: When I was younger, a doodle bear. A few years back, a down comforter.
Fav. Christmas meal: Dressing, turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes. BUT this year we are having fish. Yes, fried fish. How country can you get?! Lol.
Fav. Christmas cookie: Not exactly a cookie, but divinity candy. Yum!
Favorite place to be: Definitely with my family. All 4 million of them.
Fav. Memory: I remember one Christmas Eve being scared to death to pull my covers up because I thought Santa would hear me. It always freaked me out that he could get in my house when we had no chimney. :O Also we always wrote letters to Santa and left them on the porch and he would get it and leave us candy.
Fav. Christmas movie: The Santa Clause. The first is the best. And the old Rudolph and Frosty movies.
1. Fake (too many allergies/asthma)
2. My children’s 1st ornaments and now my grandbabies 1st ones that hang on my tree.
3. tie between “Mary, did you know” and “Breath of Heaven”
4. Decorating the tree while listening to above songs and drinking hot cocoa.
5. When I was 11 and got my big barbie airplane.
6. Turkey (white meat) my sisters dressing and pecan pie.
7. not really a cookie fan…
8. With my husband, kids and grandkids.
9. The white christmas’ we had when I lived in North Dakota.
10. It’s a wonderful Life – family tradition also on christmas eve.
Beth Herring
One of my favorite things to do is read Grandma Bush’s poetry in the evening by the Christmas tree. Brings the night of Jesus’ birth to life. I’ll post one of her poems on my blog again for poetry lovers. I also love music, food and family.
1. no tree this year.
2. My favorite ornament was given to me by a fifth-grade Sunday School student when I taught that year. It was a clothes pin reindeer. She later became a nurse/midwife with Youth for Christ in Nigeria. She was killed there a few years ago. I’ll always remember her, Brianna Esswein.
3. The Christmas Song by Mel Torme.
4. can’t remember what #4 was.
5. My first doll.
6. Anything’s good because whatever is served is special.
7. The traditional home-made sugar cookie.
8. With my husband, children and the grans.
9. With family.
10. Polar Express, especially the scene when everyone is cheering because Santa’s going to make his grand entrance any moment. I imagine Jesus’ coming will be like that only on a granduer scale.
This is so great. I’ve only got time for my favorite movie, the Bishop’s Wife. Cary Grant as an angel! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Merry Christmas!!
1. Fake (I’m allergic to real ones)
2. Don’t have one. I’ve been decorating the tree different themes every couple of years.
3. Toss up between Silent Night, Silver Bells, Merry Christmas Darling (The Carpenters) and River by Joni Mitchell or Sara M.(can’t spell it correctly). LOL.
4. Going to see Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and spending a quiet day at home on Christmas.
5. My parents had gotten me a teddy bear set and a mickey mouse watch one year. I knew they couldn’t afford both and it was a great surprise.
6. Peanut Butter Fudge, chicken and dumplins, rotel spaghetti.
7. chocolate chip and no bake cookie treats.
8. At home with my family.
9. Before my sisters graduated high school, we would decorate the tree together and listen to John Schneider’s Christmas record. We all had a blast those days.
10. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and any Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movie.
Tina in LA
1. Fake. I wish fresh, but the fam is allergic 🙁
2. A Murano glass angel my sister bought me in Italy.
3. O Holy Night (Josh Grobin) and White Christmas (The Drifters)
4. Putting ornaments on the tree as we play “remember when we bought this one?”
5. The Wii system. As a family, we play and laugh together with it all the time.
6. My mother in law makes the best sausage balls EVER. I could make a meal of it each year!
7. Anything with chocolate!
8. Wherever the hubs and girls are is fine by me 🙂
9. Christmas 2004. It was a sweeet holiday coming off of a terribly rough season our entire family had to let God walk us through.
10. It’s a Wonderful Life and Elf.
Fun game!! I love the responses 🙂 Merry Christmas everyone!
1. Fake- I do several trees.
2. Fav. Ornament- Can't pick. Every year, each child gets a new ornament to hang. My original thought was to give them "their" ornaments when they left home but 2 have moved out and I can't bear to part with the ornaments.
3. Song- Oh Holy Night (Selah's version is awesome)
4. Favorite Tradition- reading of the scriptures before opening gifts. When they were young, a couple of my children "wrote" a sermon to give before the opening of gifts as well.
5. Favorite gift ever? my daughter born on Dec. 23. We came home exactly 24 hours later–on Christmas eve.
6. Christmas meal- Petit Jean Ham, potato casserole, broccoli & rice casserole, crescent rolls, baked beans. Pecan or coconut pie
7. Favorite Cookie- can't pick
8. Place to be- any place with my family
9. Favorite memory-Christmas at our lakehouse as a young teen. Went out and cut down a tree from the property and "made" our own ornaments.
10. Movie- "It's a Wonderful Life"
1. TREE: Artificial (Sounds so much more sophisticated than FAKE!)
2. ORNAMENT: Hard to say, A glass ornament that a friend gave me a few years ago. It has stones, a small wooden cross, a blood stained nail and a burnt looking tag on the stem: “John 3:16” with a red bow and crown of thorns attached at the top.
3. SONG: “O Come Emmanuel” (Love Selah’s version)
4. TRADITION: Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion and Drinking Snowman Soup while reading the Christmas Story from Luke before watching a marathon of Christmas movies.
5. GIFT: A beautiful Bulova watch my husband bought me four years ago.
6. MEAL: Spaghetti with Meat Balls (Mother-in-love is full blood Italian… YUMMY)
7. COOKIE: Chocolate Chip… Any really.
8. PLACE: TIE – At church for the festivities and at home with the family by the fireplace with every light in the house off but the lights in the garland and trees… BEAUTIFUL.
9. MEMORY: Four years ago our family helped a single mom pay her bills and provide Christmas. Many folks in our church rallied to help me (not organized) just heard what I was doing and chipped in. It snowed two days before Christmas and we invited this family to our house for dinner. It was such a blessed time and the best Christmas in recent memory.
I also love the memories I have of my son being Santa’s helper at our Church Christmas Store “The Toy Trail.”
10. MOVIE: ALL OF THEM! This year: “The Christmas Card” from the Hallmark Channel.
Hey Amanda, Merry Christmas to you and your family.
My tree is fake this year. I think I may go back fresh next year. It turned out very pretty.
My favorite ornaments are ones that my daughters and I have painted.
Favorite Song is “O Come O Come Emmanuel” off of John Berry’s Christmas CD.
Favorite Tradition is getting with my family and just laughing and talking.
Favorite Gift is a gold leather jacket my husband gave me. I don’t wear it that someone doesn’t ooh and aah over it.
Favorite dinner is ham and turkey and hot yeast rolls.
Favorite cookie is gingerbread that one of my clients bake for me. She puts sugar sprinkles on top.
Favorite memory is the year my sister got a “Cricket” doll for Christmas that talked. It drove us crazy and we laughed so much.
Favorite place is at Church doing our Christmas Cantata.
Favorite Movie is also “Elf”. It is so funny.
Merry Christmas to Everyone. It is my very favorite time of year.
Melissa Sugg in NC
1. Fake – allergic to real
2. I have 3 bells from my grandparents’ tree. They were my favorite as a little girl, and I’m told my grandpa took them off the tree and gave them to me.
3. I like them all, but it’s not Christmas until I hear “Jingle Bells” by Bing Crosby.
4. I enjoy decorating the house with my husband. We’ll enjoy it next year with our precious baby boy that was born last Thursday!
5. My favorite gift so far has been a diamond cross necklace my mom gave me in college.
6. My favorite meal is turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and lots of desserts.
7. My favorite cookies are good old cut-out sugar cookies. I love making those! I have lots of cookie cutters.
8. I want to be anywhere with my husband and now with Zachary!
9. This year is going to be amazing! We just moved into a new house of our VERY OWN (We’ve been either in an apartment or in a parsonage for all 7 years of our marriage), had a baby, and my husband is finally graduating from seminary with his Ph.D. Friday! It has been a great year!
10. White Christmas is my favorite of all time!
1. Fake for the past three years. Finally paid for self
2. Anything made by the children when they were children!
(17/19/&21 now)
3. Silent Night, Holy Night…used to take first born for rides looking at lights trying to get him to sleep…
4. I have to think about this one. I'm not a traditionalist.
5. GPS…I'm a realtor and I get LOST in a circular driveway
6. Anything served to me by anyone else.
7. Greek Wedding Cookies mother in law makes every year
8. With family
9. The year we spent Christmas near Atlanta with my side of the family and in between Christmas Day and New Year's Day we went to Nashville. Had a blast!
10. A Christmas Carol…Any version, any actor. I wonder if it's on tonight……..Merry Christmas everyone!
1. Fake for the past three years. Finally paid for self
2. Anything made by the children when they were children!
(17/19/&21 now)
3. Silent Night, Holy Night…used to take first born for rides looking at lights trying to get him to sleep…
4. I have to think about this one. I'm not a traditionalist.
5. GPS…I'm a realtor and I get LOST in a circular driveway
6. Anything served to me by anyone else.
7. Greek Wedding Cookies mother in law makes every year
8. With family
9. The year we spent Christmas near Atlanta with my side of the family and in between Christmas Day and New Year's Day we went to Nashville. Had a blast!
10. A Christmas Carol…Any version, any actor. I wonder if it's on tonight……..Merry Christmas everyone!
1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree
Fake (As much as I love the smell of a fresh one, I am completely allergic…as is the rest of the fam!)
2. Favorite Ornament
I have 2. For some reason I am completely enamored with this gumball ornament we’ve had since I was little, nothing special about it, I just like it. Then we have this Santa you press and it sings to you. Always a joy!
3. Favorite Christmas Song
“Jesus Born on This Day” (Either by MC or Avalon) , “Ring the Bells†by TC, “All I Want for Christmas†by MC
4. Favorite Tradition
Driving around looking at lights (Especially in Prestonwood!), all while enjoying some Amy Grant or Mariah Carey Christmas in the CD player, and sipping on some Hot Chocolate. This is especially fun when I’m with my girlfriends.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received
When Rollerblades first came out, both my brother and I really wanted some. However, they were quite pricey so my parents told us to not expect them because it was out of the budget. So, Christmas morning we were completely surprised when there was rollerblades for each of us sitting by our stocking. Needless to say, we rollerbladed the rest of the day!
6. Favorite Christmas Meal
Turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, fruit salad, rolls, cheese ball and crackers and a chocolate pie to finish it off.
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
Pillsbury sugar cookies you can decorate on your own! They are so soft!
8. Favorite Place To Be
Colorado with the rest of our extended family!
9. Favorite Memory
The Christmas Eve that it snowed in Houston is pretty high up there, however, last Christmas in Colorado it snowed ALL day. It was indeed a very white Christmas, and the only day it snowed the whole time we were there!
10. Favorite Christmas Movie
My top 3 favorites are: “Elfâ€, “Christmas Vacation†and “A Christmas Story†H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!
AND NOW IT’S SNOWING AGAIN!!!!!!!! 🙂
Fresh or Fake Tree: Fresh
Favorite ornament: Nativity ornament and my and Todd’s “our first christmas 84′”
Favorite Christmas song: Mary Did You Know
Favorite Tradition: We have tons, but I guess cutting the tree, driving around as a family looking at Christmas lights and the time we spend with our familes.
Favorite Give Ever Given: Jesus of course and any given to me by my girls
Favorite Christmas Meal: I like the finger foods – spinach dip is my favorite
Favorite Christmas Cookie – Peanut butter cookies (they are so much better at Christmas time)
Christmas Memory: All the Christmas’ at my grandmothers
Christmas Movie: Hmmm Not sure on this one
P.S. Wanted to let you all know that I am doing a plate giveaway on my blog! Feel free to enter! 🙂
1. Fake (that was a sad, sad day for me, but makes my husband happy – oh the things we do!)
2. I think my Radko Christmas Tree
3. “Do you hear what I hear”
4. Advent wreath and prayers
5. Not sure
6. My mother always made a cinnamon bread for Christmas morning
7. iced cookies –
8. With my family!
9. When I was around 7 or 8, I received a gift from my “Fairy Godmother”. Took me a few years to figure out it was actually from my Grandmother!
10. “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Love this idea…
1. Tree: Sadly, fake – we put several and could not afford real ones.
2. Ornament: I strung up the Christmas cookie cutters my mom & I used to make cookies with or the stuffed animals that used to be on my children's crib mobiles.
3. Song: Garth Brooks singing "The Friendly Beasts" or Silent Night sung at the candle light Christmas Eve service.
4. Tradition: Playing my Garth Brooks "Beyond the Season" cd while I bake & Tracking Santa with my kids on th NORAD website.
5. Gift: Thule AB Greenland being a "local call" from CO, so that my hubby could hear th kids opening gifts on Christmas morning while being stationed over seas.
6. Meal: Turkey & dressing and homemade mac & cheese
7. Cookie: Decorated sugar cookies
8. Place: In my own home with husband & children
9. Memory: The Christmas od 1996 when we celebrated our first Christas as parents (our daughter had been born right before Thanksgiving).
10. Either White Christmas (we watch this while we wait for Santa) or It's a Wonderful Life on Christmas night.
Christmas Blessings,
Lonnie San Antonio
1. Fresh!!!
2. The red crocheted ornaments my mom gave me a few years ago. She made them almost 30 years ago. Bells, Ski Booties with paper clips, and a frame with a picture of Jesus.
3. Avalon's version of "Joy to the World", Barlow Girl's version of "O Holy Night"
4. Sitting in the living room enjoying the Christmas tree, reading a Christmas novel, and listening to Christmas music. I LOVE the white Christmas lights!!! And opening presents 🙂
5. Sexy lingerie from my GRANDMOTHER that I opened in front of my whole family, including my dad, brother, uncle, cousins & my soon-to-be husband! I was completely shocked and embarrassed! Now 10 years later it's hilarious 🙂
6. We do something different every year for Christmas. This year we are trying out all NEW "appetizers" and NEW desserts. I'm going to make a grasshopper pie for the first time 🙂
7. Gingerbread
8. With my husband & my family. I do think it would be wonderful to be in New York City with it snowing one Christmas! 🙂
9. Favorite Movie – Charlie Brown Christmas!
1. A fake tree every since I decorated the tree at home and woke up with hives all over.
2. I have many angel ornaments. They are my favorites. I guess I just figured I needed a few angels to look out for me.
3. Favorite Christmas Song: Away in the Manger
4. Favorite tradition. Chrismas Eve candlelight service. I put no presents under my tree until after we get back from the service. Our creche is placed under the tree. It comes out to the coffee table and we read the Christmas story.
5. My favorite gift I ever received was my Thumbalina doll.
6. Favorite Christmas meal is ham, sweet potatoes, creamed corn and pumpkin chiffon pie
7. Favorite Christmas cookie: I love the peanut butter cookies made in miniture muffin pans and Peanut butter cups in them.
8. Favorite place to be is Dallas, Texas. Almost all my family lives there and I love to get together with my nieces and nephews and my mom. It is always a lot warmer there than here in Kansas.
9. Favorite Memory: My grandma and grandpa came down to Dallas for Christmas and brought my anut and uncle with them. We had the only White Christmas I ever remember in Dallas that year. My grandma always teased us that that was not snow, it was God shaking his little salt shaker over Dallas.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life.
1. Fresh
2. A small pottery disk w/my daughter's chubby little handprint in green paint. We made it her first Christmas – (she was 11 mos. old.)
3. 'C'mon Ring Those Bells'
4. Christmas morning – watching my family open their gifts & then having breakfast together.
5. Hand-painted ornaments from my children.
6. Sprial-sliced honey baked ham
w/mac & cheese, green beans, biscuits & pecan pie.
7. My homemade shortbread ones (with sprinkles)
8. Home with my family
9. Christmas Day 1999 when my son accepted Christ as His Savior & Lord.
10. 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'
1. fake…….pre-lit……….sorry…….. 🙁
2. any of the precious ones that my kids have made thru the years!
3. O Holy Night by pretty much anyone!
4. Baking & decorating Christmas cookies a couple of weeks before Christmas. Total family affair and this year we'll be joined by a new son-in-law and my son's girlfriend!!
5. A trip to NYC from my hubby last year!!
6. Turkey, dressing & all the fixins'. Basically a Thanksgiving replica!
7. See #4. (decorated sugar cookies!)
8. At home w/ all of my family here. Christmas has been at home for at least 28 years now!!
9. My Christmas wedding 33 years ago on December 27th!
10. A tie between A Christmas Story (you'll shoot your eye out!) and It's a Wonderful Life.
Thank you for the fun blog! What a wonderful insight into a family who truly loves God! I was so excited to read that Beth has the same favorite Christmas song as I do. Not many people know the song when I mention it but this song has brought me to tears so many times and it’s still so fresh every time I hear it. Beth, your answer made me feel truly like your sister of the heart in Christ Jesus. Thank you.
1. Fresh Tree
2. Favorite Ornament-the ones that we received as wedding gifts that say “Our First Christmas
3. Favorite Christmas Song-Angels we Have Heard on HIgh
4. Favorite Tradition-Getting to open just 1 item on Christmas Eve(can’t stand the excitement)!(and i’m 27 years old!!
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received-Diamond earrings from my husband
6. Favorite Christmas Meal-Ham, mashed taters, veggies, and all the fixins
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie-don’t mean to brag, but I make a pretty mean sugar cookie with icing
8. Favorite Place To Be-at my parents house
9. Favorite Memory – always waking my parents up before the crack of dawn on Christmas
10. Favorite Christmas Movie
Charlie Brown’s Christmas!!
Merry CHRISTmas everyone!!
God Bless!
Brenda
1. Fresh Tree
2. Favorite Ornament-the ones that we received as wedding gifts that say “Our First Christmas
3. Favorite Christmas Song-Angels we Have Heard on HIgh
4. Favorite Tradition-Getting to open just 1 item on Christmas Eve(can’t stand the excitement)!(and i’m 27 years old!!
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received-Diamond earrings from my husband
6. Favorite Christmas Meal-Ham, mashed taters, veggies, and all the fixins
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie-don’t mean to brag, but I make a pretty mean sugar cookie with icing
8. Favorite Place To Be-at my parents house
9. Favorite Memory – always waking my parents up before the crack of dawn on Christmas
10. Favorite Christmas Movie
Charlie Brown’s Christmas!!
Merry CHRISTmas everyone!!
God Bless!
Brenda
Tree – Fake, but we all have allergies 🙁
Favorite ornament: A Sugar Bear ornament that we got in a cereal box when my son was only about 2 years old. It plays music when you press it. He almost wore that thing out the first year, but it still plays almost 20 years later!
Favorite Christmas song: What Child is This? Greensleeves
Fav. Tradition: My family going to Christmas eve midnight mass – the music is breathtaking.
Favorite Gift: The first year in our new house, my husband had our 4 sons go out and dig/build me a vegetable garden. Something I always wanted but never had the room for in a small yard. They had built it behind the garage, so I didn’t know it was there. They gave me a present on Christmas morning that was a James Avery charm in the shape of a package of garden seeds. When I had a funny look on my face, they drug me outside to show me their work – it was beautiful! My garden is now filled with lettuce, cilantro and sugar snap peas!
Fav. Christmas meal: we make homemade pizza – so yummy!
Fav. Christmas cookie: snickerdoodles
Favorite place to be: With my family in our pjs for as long as possible.
Memory: My dad always wore one green sock and one red sock on Christmas day. We lost him to emphysema 3 years ago, but that first Christmas he was gone, my sister and I had bought everyone in the family a red sock and a green sock and we wear them each Christmas in my dad’s memory!
Christmas movie: White Christmas – mys sister and I always sang “Sisters” together!
1. Tree – Fresh – and huge.
2. Favorite Ornament – I think it’s my precious moments nativity.
3. Favorite Christmas Song – O Holy Night.
4. Favorite Tradition – Doing the whole tree thing – buying it and decorating it.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received – My cross necklace when I was little.
6. Favorite Christmas Meal – Just a plethora of sides and some dessert.
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie – Chocolate peppermint coookies.
8. Favorite Place To Be – At home.
9. Favorite Memory – The year that even though my parents were divorced my dad came over Christmas morning and we did Christmas together.
10. Favorite Christmas Movie – A Charlie Brown Christmas!
1. Fresh Tree or Fake Tree
I always loved fresh! My Grandparents (in-law) have a Christmas tree farm in upstate NY need I say more! Since living in Texas(2 yrs)we have had a fake tree and it is SO easy!
2. Favorite Ornament
My babies 1st Christmas ornaments and my 1st Christmas ornament that my momgave me.
3. Favorite Christmas Song
It’s a toss up between Mariah Careys “Holy Night” and “Amy Grants “Breath of Heaven”
4. Favorite Tradition
Making all my hubbys favorite Christmas cookies! Staring at the tree on the couch at night. Driving around to look at lights. Reading the Christmas story to our kids on Christmas day.
5. Favorite Gift Ever Received
My oopsie doopsy daisy doll!
6. Favorite Christmas Meal
Lamb, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole rolls, pumpkin pie
7. Favorite Christmas Cookie
Our Aunt Yvonne’s sugar cookies and chocolate fudge.
8. Favorite Place To Be
With my husband, kids and HUGE family in NY.
9. Favorite Memory
Waking up early at the crack of dawn to open presents with my parents, brother and 2 sisters. I have the same feelings towards it as mama Beth! My mom always made it special.
10.Favorite movie
Home Alone.
…or it’s a wonderful life!
P.S.-We had snow in central Texas late last night too and we were beside ourselves with excitment!!
:o(
Pout! No snow in Fort Worth… But, cold, cold, cold enough for a fire.
Okay… Sticking to theme.
I just adore these!!
1) Love my fake tree & Yankee evergreen candle… (I know, it's lame!)
2) Fav. orn- my fist baby's rattle ornament. Love it!
3) Fav. song, O Holy Night. I weep like a baby…
4) Fav. Tradition- putting up our (fake) tree Thanksgiving night when all the little kids are in bed, grandparents have gone home and it's just the grown up siblings watching Christmas movies together.
5) Fav. Gift- now that would have to be my engagement ring, some 14 years ago…
6) Fav. meal. Brunch. (all of it)
7) Fav. cookie- my mother's monster cookies.
8) Fav. place to be, late at night snuggled up with my husband, with the lights on the tree and kids all nestled in beds. ahhhh. lovely.
9) Fav. Memory- being pregnant for the first time at Christmas, connecting so deeply to Mary's story.
10)Fav. Movie- It's a Wonderful Life, because…afterall, it is! Amen?!
1. Tree- Real! Smells devine.
2. Ornament- Star made of shells & wood that Hubby & I bought on our honeymoon in Hawaii
3. Song- One King by Point of Grace
4. Tradition- Dad's side: attending the candlelight Christmas Eve service with the whole family & then eating gumbo together; Mom's side: the young generation & older generation competing a Christmas drama competition.
5. Gift- Getting engaged on Christmas Eve five years ago.
6. Meal- Gumbo (can you tell I grew up in Louisiana?!)
7. Cookie: Does my Granny's Fudge count?!
8. Place to be: Wherever my hubby is!!
9. Memory- The year I BEGGED all season for a dog & my parents did an elaborate scheme to make me think they go me a dog. When I opened the big box IN THE GARAGE…it was a pair of BRASS DACSCHUNDS! I was so upset, but my parents made up for this horrible joke by getting me a dog for my birthday in January!!
10. Movie- Probably Grinch (Jim Carrey version) or Elf
1. Fresh
2. The construction paper ones my children made when they were little.
3. Mary Did You Know
4. Eating cutout Christmas cookies while we open our gifts on Christmas morning. (i.e. breakfast)
5. Still thinking on this one.
6. Ham, homemade dressing, cauliflower w. cheese, sweet potatoes, and lemon bars.
7. My mom’s sugar cutout cookies
8. With my husband and children
9. Every year we would go to my in-laws on Christmas eve. As we drove into town, there was a house that had reindeer coming out from the roof and was all lit up beautifully. When we would leave to go home, that same house always had moved the reindeer to be around a manger on their lawn. It was a wonderful reminder of what Christmas was truly about.
10. Home Alone
This was great fun! Thanks.
Kim . ..
who is Grafted by Grace
1) Fake Tree (well 6 trees)- I know…. a little nuts about Christmas! We had a real tree our first year of marriage – and we couldn’t fix into the tree holder – it ended up looking like a bush!
2)Ornament – My children’s ornaments with their pictures on them.
3)Song – Joy to the World – I cry everytime I sing this song.
4)Tradition – My family sit in the front room where all of my Nativity scene, Christmas tree (Fruit of the Spirit tree)is and we read the First Christmas story in the book of Luke. We have our “Happy Birthday Jesus” breakfast and then we go into the “Santa” room and open presents.
5)My first boyfriend gave me a silver braclet with daises all the way around it from James Avery. It is special to me because I have been married to my first and only boyfriend for 10 years and still wear this precious braclet.
6)My favorite meal is brisket, brown-beans, potatoe salad, rolls, etc. Texas-style Christmas!
7)Favorite cookies – sugar cookies that my children make with all the icing and sprinkles. So precious to watch them get excited while I take my first bite!
8)Favorite place to be- I will always enjoy having Christmas at my parents’ home with all of my family – but truthfully, my favorite place is my own home with my husband and 2 boys (Alec (6) and Cole (2).
9)Favorite Memory – My Dad came to my Pre-school when I was four as Santa Claus. This was during our Christmas party just before the holidays, and while my Dad was there as Santa, I was so excited because I thought that Santa had eyes liked my Dad and that he was so much fun like my own Dad. (Years later, I found out that my Dad was scared to death the whole time because I never took my eyes off of him and he just knew that I was going to figure it out!)
10)Favorite Christmas Movie – It’s A Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase
A fun and festive quiz! 🙂
Tree: I live in the mountains… got to be real! Silver tips have been a family favorite
Favorite Ornament: Unfortunately I don’t have one of them, but my mom used to crochet snowflakes (starched with glitter), and we had some on our tree.
Favorite Christmas Song: (too many to mention, but I’m choosing two) Breath of Heaven – Amy Grant Christmas; Jesus Saves (a new fav) – Travis
Tradition: Opening presents at my grandparents on Christmas Eve and having them at our house Christmas morning. (And getting to open 1 present from my parents Christmas Eve when we got home)
Gift: The time I got with my mom the two Christmases before she died. I think we realized the true meaning of Christmas and what quality time together was all about.
Meal: Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, my aunt’s cornbread stuffing, my dad’s homemade stuffing, and chocolate pie
Christmas Cookie: There are two that my grandma used to make that I can’t find the recipes for… both were italian cookies and oh so good!
Place to be: It used to be with my mom at her house Christmas morning. Now, I just want to be with my sisters, and enjoy my niece and nephews.
Favorite Memory: I remember when we were little we’d go to my mom’s parents’ on Christmas Eve. I used to love being there and watching my mom with her family. And although I don’t know if it actually did, it seemed like it always snowed that night. 🙂 All of my memories of my mom are now treasured and held extra close.
Christmas Movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas (hee hee); Elf, the first Grinch movie
1. Fresh
2. 45 year old blown glass bulb with a picture of a snowy night and the words “Silent Night” on it.
3. Strange way to save the world by 4Him (It tears me up)!
4. Christmas Eve Pajamas, we all always get new Jammies and get to open them and where them to bed on Christmas eve!
5. Huge stuffed mouse my dad got me when I was 10 or 11. I still have it.
6. Ham and all the fixens!
7. Frosted Sugar Cookies.
8. Home with my family, snuggled up with a fire going, and food cooking.
9. When I spent Christmas in Germany with my grandparents.
10. Elf. I love it when he says “your not Santa, you smell like beef and cheese”!!!! I laughed so hard the first time I saw that there was nearly no almost about it!
I love you guys!!
Judy
1. MUST HAVE FRESH AND FAT
2. Tiny Wizard of Oz book my hubby gave me when we were dating
3. “Breath of Heaven” sung by Amy Grant
4. C-mas countdown calendar with pull out things to hang on felt tree, driving around to look at lights, decorating the tree, Christmas Eve church service
5. Hard to narrow down but I have fond memories of my purple sparkly bike with a banana seat
6. Turkey or Mom’s chicken casserole, mashed potatoes, my Nanny’s green beans, rolls
7. I really love the sugar cookies with frosting
8. Home…beautiful, snowy Colorado
9. Many great ones…Chirstmas in Hawaii, 1st Christmas living in Colorado
10. “It’s a Wonderful Life” also “Christmas Vacation”
I just have to add that “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby is a sentimental favorite.
SNOW!!!! And my girls and I were shopping with coffees, watching kids (well, we did it too) raise their heads and stick out their tongues to catch snowflakes. This was what it was supposed to feel like! Amazing graces abound! I can’t wait for tomorrow!!!! Merry Christmas. Love you all, Annette
1.fake
2.a red satin heart that says “Christmas is love”. My husband gave me this one 24 Christmases ago and it was the only one to survive a flood that we had in 1994.
3.”O Holy Night”
4. Christmas Eve Service at Church
5. My red volkswagon bettle (2006)
6.turkey,dressing,green bean casserole, crescent rolls and pumpkin pie
7. peanut butter blossoms
8. Smoky Mountains in Tenn.
9. a snowy Christmas in Tenn…we do not get much snow in South Georgia.
10. “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” (Old version)