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| photo: pixabay.com |
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.”
~ Meredith Willson, “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”
Here's something a little fun while we wait for Christmas. Which do you prefer when it comes to Christmas traditions? I've shared my own preferences. I'd love to hear some of yours.
1. Hot Cocoa, mulled apple cider, or eggnog? Hot Cocoa, and don't spare the whipped cream and chocolate shavings either, with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
2. Turkey or Ham? Turkey with our mom's stuffing, and lots of it.
3. Tree decorated weeks ahead or just before Christmas? This year, we are getting a fresh tree, so it will be around December 20th, just like our family did when I was a girl.
4. Decorations on the outside of your house? Lights on the house, a wreath on the door, greenery in large garden pots on the front step.
5. Snowball fights or sledding? Sledding, although it's been years since I've been on a sled or toboggan. Snowball fights as a kid were a menace to eyeglasses.
6. Christmas song you most often find yourself humming this time of year? Deck the Halls or The First Noel.
7. Favourite Christmas songs? It depends what grabs my heart and fancy on a particular year. Sacred: Joy to the World and O Holy Night. Secular: Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells.
8. Favourite Holiday movies? The Bishop's Wife, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and Going My Way, While You Were Sleeping, Home Alone, Narnia, It's A Wonderful Life.
9. Is it ever too early to start listening to Christmas music? I used to love Christmas music any time, but these last few years, I prefer keeping the Christmas music to December. Hubby for sure likes it later rather than sooner.
10. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when? I love the Christmas Story from Luke 2, King James Version -- it's what I grew up on. I love to read and ponder, like Mary, throughout December.
11. What other stories do you like to read at this time of year? 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Christmas Memory by Truman Capote, Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher, Shepherd's Abiding by Jan Karon.
12. Something you like to do while you wait for Christmas? I like putting together jigsaw puzzles during December, trying to wrap it up by Christmas Eve, especially if we're hosting Christmas. I also like to sit at my desk with my cozy lamp on and write out Christmas cards. Music has to be playing.
13. What do you do after presents and dinner? Sit around and visit, snooze, play games, work on puzzles. Alas, we aren't skaters or trompers through the snowy woods; we're much more sedentary on Christmas Day.
14. What is your favorite holiday smell? Fruitcake or cookies baking; the spicy smells of cinnamon and cloves; the turkey cooking on Christmas Day.
15. Ice skating or walking? I prefer walking in the winter wonderland. Ice skates and my feet don't get along.
16. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Christmas Day. My own family tradition when I was a girl was to open our presents on Christmas Eve. We loved that we didn't have to wait until Christmas morning like all the other school kids. But now we always wait until Christmas Day. I used to miss that earlier tradition, but now it's okay.
17. Favorite Christmas memory? As a young child, sitting in the darkened living room on a quiet evening watching the tree lights while my mom made supper in the kitchen. It felt cozy and safe.
18. Favorite part about winter? Snow days, sun shining through glimmering ice crystals, hoar frost on the trees, short days and early twilights, that Christmas is in the middle of it.
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe? Haven't put any up lately, but I think so (unless it was in my dreams).
20. Vintage Christmas decorations or modern new ones? It depends. Some years I yearn for something more traditional, the way I remember it from a child. Other times, I'm happy to get new baubles and decor and lights. I loved the coloured lights as a child, then I loved the clear white lights for decades, I'm starting to swing back to coloured lights.
21. On the top of your wish list this year -- books, clothes, jewelry, slippers, bath products, perfume? Books.
22. Traditional red and green or something more exotic like peacock blue or purple? I like the traditional red and greenery at Christmas, but sometimes I do feel the urge to play with the more exotic colours -- they are so striking.
23. Gift bags or gift wrap? I prefer using coloured tissue paper and ribbons. Different colours.
24. Fruitcake or runny butter tarts, shortbread cookies or ginger snaps? Yes please! (wink)
Wishing you the best kind of day.
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