Christmas Tag

Kirstin over at 909 Cherry blogged this Christmas Tag and I couldn't resist doing it myself. I'm a sucker for these kinds of things and I'm also killing some time since my mom decided 8am was a suitable time to wake me up to tell me that she had a dream about Amy and I opening a bakery. Anyway, here you go!

1. What's your favorite holiday movie?

It's so hard for me to pick! I love all of the classic claymation movies, especially Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Of course I can't forget about the "classic" from my childhood, The Santa Claus.

2. What's your favorite Christmas color?

I'm a big fan of the standard red and green. In fact, I just painted my nails red and green yesterday to be festive! Metallic and glittery colors are also my go to colors this time of year.

3. Do you like to stay in your PJs or dress up for Christmas?

Both! For present opening with my mom I always wear my "cutesy" pi's. I skip out on my usual sweat pants and t-shirt and put on actual pajamas. Lately I've been a fan of the footie pajamas my mom got for me a couple of years ago. I also always have a Christmas dress of some sorts. I'm still a 5 year old at heart and believe I should have special attire for my family gatherings.

4. If you could only buy one person a present, who would it be?

My mom or my grandparents (even though they're technically two people). They all do so much for me and I'd love to get them the perfect gift to show my appreciation.

5. Do you open your presents on Christmas eve or Christmas morning?

Both. For the last 13 years we've opened gifts with my mom on Christmas Eve and would open gifts with my dad on Christmas day. This year we're doing things differently so it's still up in the air if we'll open presents with my mom on the 24th or 25th. But, we always open gifts at my grandparents on Christmas Eve. My brothers, cousins, and I are spoiled.

6. Have you ever built a gingerbread house?

Yes, but not in ages! When I was little I went to my godparents house every year to help my godmother make holiday treats for everyone and we would always make a big gingerbread house for me to take home. I've been tempted this year to make one, but haven't yet.

7. What do you like to do on Christmas break?

I love reading for pleasure! I spend so much time during school reading what's assigned that I rarely have time to sit and read a book that I actually want to read. I also like spending time with my friends and family. One of my favorite things that I get to do during break is spend a lot of quality time with my grandma, she's awesome.

8. Any Christmas wishes?

Just for a stress free holiday and to have a good time being surrounded by everyone that I love!

9. Favorite Christmas smell?

I love the smell of pine, but I'm actually really allergic to real Christmas trees so I don't get to smell that smell too often. The smell of fresh baked goods is something I always associate with this time of year too. Of course that is definitely one of my favorite smells. I also really love the smell of peppermint.

10. Favorite Christmas meal or treat?

I love the food we have at my grandparents on Christmas eve. It's nothing fancy and my grandma only cooks a few things and has the rest "catered", but for some reason we all look forward to it. There's Pizza Hut wings, meatballs, mini sandwiches on buns, plus my grandma's snack mix and famous deviled eggs then some random snacks things. Oh, and Cookie Cottage cookies. Those are the best! I also really like a good buckeye. 

11. What are you doing for the holidays this year?

This is my and Joseph's first time doing all of our family together so it's going to be a little busier for me than normal. Friday night we're doing our little Christmas exchange. He's making me dinner and we'll exchange gifts and hopefully watch a Christmas movie! Christmas Eve my family will go to my grandparent's in the afternoon for food and gifts then Joe and I will go to his aunt and uncle's in the evening for their big get together. Christmas day I'll open presents with my mom and brother's (if we don't on Christmas Eve morning) and my mom always makes a big breakfast while we watch movies and listen to music. That afternoon I'll go to Joe's mom's house for her get together and hang out for the afternoon. Then next week my dad and his girlfriend and her kids are coming in to town and getting a hotel room for a day or two and we're going to go up to Pokagon State Park to go tobogganing. 

12. What's your favorite holiday drink?

Can I go ahead and admit that I HATE egg nog? Because I do. I love hot chocolate and I also enjoy anything with a peppermint flavor to it.

13. Candy cane or gingerbread men?

Candy cane all the way.

14. What's your favorite Christmas song?

This is embarrassing, but I've always been a fan of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey. When I was little that was my mom's favorite song to blast through the house and in the car during the holidays, and who am I kidding, she still does. We would dance around sing it at the top of our lungs. Now when I hear it I just get really excited about Christmas! I also love "Carol of the Bells". When I was in choir in high school it was my absolute favorite song to sing for our holiday program. When you get the right mix of voices and balance it sounds so beautiful and powerful!

15. What's the weirdest gift you've ever received?

The first year Joe and I were dating I went to his family Christmas when his grandparents from Cincinnati were in town. It was the first real family thing I ever went to with him. Everyone else got their gifts and obviously I wasn't expecting anything but his aunt said she got a little something for me. When I opened it there was a bear holding a "2008" banner (it was 2009 when I got it!) and some broken candy canes and a coffee mug with 2008 also printed on it. It was sweet of her to try and throw something together for me and I laughed about it but no one has ever really let her live it down.

16. Have you ever made a snowman?

I live in the midwest! Of course I have!

17. What's your winter fragrance?

I don't really have a winter fragrance. Should I?

18. What is at the top of your Christmas list?

I've really been looking for a pair of black riding boots. I don't ride horses or anything, but I love how sleek and effortlessly cool they look. I also asked for a stand mixer and food processor. Obviously those can get really expensive so I'm not expecting them, but I would be really excited to get one of them! But, in all honesty, I get really excited about getting funky tights and socks and I always put them on my Christmas list.

19. What is most important to you about the holidays?

Spending time with friends and family. I love being home and getting to spend real quality time with everyone. I don't feel rushed because I'm home from school for 3 weeks rather than 2 or 3 days. I just love spending time with the people I love and even though sometimes it's a little sad in a way that it takes a holiday to bring people together all at once, I absolutely look forward to it.