A Stolen Christmas Meme

OK, I have so stolen this meme from Mary at Unmitigated.  She has a really great blog!  You should stop over there and check her out, after you've read my stuff, of course!

1.) Have you started your Christmas shopping?

I have started and one kid is nearly finished.  I still have the 2 older kids, Gina's boyfriend and John and I"ll be finito!

2.) Tell me about one of your special traditions.

On Christmas morning, we have Grands Cinnamon rolls, coffee and orange juice.  I didn't even know it was a tradition until one of my kids asked if we were still having that for Christmas breakfast.  I thought I was just finding an easy lazy way to get out of cooking breakfast on Christmas morning!

3.) When do you put up your Tree? 

I swear each year the tree goes up later and later.  I kind of lost my Christmas spirit when my ex left and it's been real hard to get it back.  If Christmas never arrived I'd probably be fine with that.  But I'm trying.

4.) Are you a Black Friday shopper? 

NO WAY!!!!  Actually, I work in a restaurant in a mall, so I'm there on Black Friday, but I'm waiting on all the lunatics who ARE shopping!

5.) Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?

When I was married, we'd go to one of the ex's siblings homes for Christmas.  It was just a day trip since almost everyone lived within an hour from each other.  Now the kids still go, but I'm not invited any more. :)   The past few years, John and I went to his brother's home in Philly, but this year we plan to go out for dinner.

6.) What is your funniest Christmas memory?

I can't really think of anything really funny.  Although me waddling around at 9 months pregnant trying not to go into labor before Christmas was over was amusing.  I made it!  Dani was born Dec 26.

7.) What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?

Call me silly, but I just love The Santa Clause!  Of course, all the traditional movies are great too! 

8.)Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?

Baking?  uh, no.  Feel free to donate cookies to the cause though!  Oatmeal raisin please!

9.) Fake or Real Tree?

Fake.  For years and years we had a real tree.  Then around 2001, we bought a fake one at KMart on sale.  It looks real!  Gina was away at school and we put the tree up and didn't tell her it was a fake.  After 3 days, we finally had to tell her!  My son, Tim kept saying stuff like "Boy, you can't even smell the tree this year." 

10.) What day (as a Mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? 

right around now.  Too much to do, too little cash available.  I always manage to pull it off though.

11.) Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? 

You know, I used to be the kind of person who not only was ready for Christmas by the 1st week in December, I would wrap everything as soon as I bought it.  Now, on Christmas Eve, I'm in my bedroom, wrapping gifts.  It's official. I have become my mother.

12.) What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?

When the kids were little, it was watching all the Christmas shows on TV.

13.) What Christmas craft do you like the best?

The ones that people give me!  I don't do crafts.  My daughter is knitting everyone gifts this year.  I hope everyone appreciates the hard work she's putting into all of it. 

14.) Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?

I like Christmas music!  I have B-101 on my radio right now.  From Thanksgiving until Christmas, all they play is Christmas music.  My absolute very favorite Christmas hymn is O Holy Night. (Joanne, this is the choir from your hometown of Coquitlam).  I get choked up every time I hear it.  Another big favorite is Emmanuel by Amy Grant.  I always wanted to hear Gina sing that one in church.

15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping? 

Before December 24th.  Hopefully within the week.