I have been in a tagging mood and was tagged by my hilarious friend Melinda. I was excited to see that she had one geared towards Christmas. So, here is this one.

Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags
Usually I am gift bags all the way however, at Christmastime it is different. I was a HUGE snoop when I was a child and I peeked way too often. To boot, I can’t wrap. I am severely impaired in that area so all of our wrapped gifts look like Kelton did them. So, I wrap the Christmas gifts.

Real Trees or Artificial
When I was growing up we almost always had real trees. I don’t know if it was for practical, financial or aesthetic reasons. I loved the smell but they were prickly and I didn’t care for that. So, now I just have candles that smell like the tree and no needles to pick up!

When Do You Put Up the Tree
We usually decorate the house the day after Thanksgiving but this year we were WAY behind the ball. With company in from out of town and the recent remodel of our basement, we didn’t get it done forever!! We got it up though. That is what counts right.

When Do You Take Down The Tree
We wait forever. As you all know, Harvey is from Colombia. They have all sort of fun traditions that we have adopted into our Christmas routine. We keep our tree up until January 6h because that is Day of the Kings in Colombia. This day we exchange gifts that we have made for each other. This is supposedly the day that the Three Wise Men found the Christ child. We don’t take the tree down until we have exchanged our gifts.

Do You Like Eggnog
I LOVE it but, I don’t drink it a lot. I like to eat my calories during Christmas, not drink them.

My Favorite Gift Received as a child.
My first instinct is to say my Cabbage Patch kid. My mom spent the night in the parking lot of Toys R Us to get it for me. I was very specific. I wanted a preemie boy, bald, brown eyes with a binkie. I got it. The runner up is a radio. I don’t remember what my main gift was that year. I just remember opening it up and being surprised. My dad then told me that he remembered me mentioning that I wanted a radio at one point. My parents always made Christmas magical.

The Hardest Person to Buy For
My mother. She is very hard to shop for. She is very specific in what she likes and it is hard to come across the perfect gift. My friends also seem to be hard.

Easiest Person to Buy For
Harvey. If it has buttons and batteries, he will like it. My brothers also. Hello… gift certificates all the way!

Do You Have a Nativity Scene
Yes, I have a couple of very small ones. They are cute.

Email or Mail Christmas Card
I mail them. I have been good the past couple of years and this year I fell off the wagon. Of course, I fell off the wagon in several areas. Cards just didn’t make the time cut this year. So, for all of you Merry Christmas, Love the entire Franco Clan!

Worst Christmas Gift Ever Received
I have never received a worst gift but I did receive a really funny one this year. Last year Harvey gave me an MP3 player. It was one put out by Best Buy and I never really figured out how to work it. So, I put it in the box and put it away. Harvey this year rewrapped it and put it under the tree and told me that maybe THIS Christmas I could figure it out.

Favorite Christmas Movie
Love Actually. It is such a good movie. It shows how love is different for everyone and it works for some people and not for others. You should watch the edited version. It is more family friendly.

Lights on the Tree
We have a prelit artificial tree with white lights. Growing up we had all sorts of colored bubble lights on our tree. I loved it. I want to track those down and put those on my tree. I really like the colored lights now.

Favorite Christmas Song
Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella, The Holly and the Ivy, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas, Nuttin’ For Christmas, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Stars Were Gleaming. I love them all. The only ones I don’t like are Little Drummer Boy (my brother used to sing it out of tune when I was young and I think of that every time I listen to it,) So This is Christmas (just lame,) Do You Hear What I Hear (reminds me of the movie “Gremlins”,) Peanuts Christmas Song (just lame and I don’t understand half of the words.

Travel or Stay Home
Travel on Christmas Eve. Stay home on Christmas

Can You Name All the Reindeer
In Spanish and English! Rudo el Reno

Angel or Star on Top of the Tree
Star. I think that angels can be tacky.

Open the Presents on Christmas or Christmas Eve
We do both. Christmas eve at my parents, Noche Buena with my inlaws and Santa comes on Christmas.

Most Annoying this About This Time of Year
The lines and discourteous drivers.

What Theme or Color Do You Use Around Your Home
Just a random assortment of the crazy things that we have collected over the years. I really like snowmen however and have a growing collection of snowmen that I love.

Favorite Christmas Dinner
I love turkey! Honey Baked ham also tops the charts!

What Do I Want For Christmas This Year
I know that this sounds retarded but peace and health. I want to be at peace with my life. I want the issues that are going on to resolve. I want health. I am going under for some fairly intense surgeries in a few days and want to have my medical issues resolve. If I can get those two things, I will be the happiest person in the world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!