The Perfect Post for a Monday...

Not gonna lie...I totally stole this from Think Happy Thoughts blog because A) it is Monday and B) it feels like -2 outside - in Nashville, not Alaska, in case you're curious, which means C) thinking about anything other than how much I would like to be curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee in my frostbitten hands is probably not happening today. And because it's a good way to incorporate some photos of our Christmas decor that we finished up this weekend in our humble little abode. And might I add, I think our tree is soooooo be-yoo-tiful. :)

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper all the way, unless it's a weird shape that's impossible to wrap and way easier to throw it in a fun bag. I like going with a theme on my paper, and have so much fun choosing it each year. This year it was a velvet flocked red damask paper I found at Target, with a coordinating cousin in black on a shimmery white background. And I found these super-fun hologram gift tags that say "naughty" or "nice" depending how the light hits them for the adults in the family, and some glittery santa hat tags for the kiddos.

Real tree or artificial? I joined the "real tree" bandwagon for the very first time this year and am NEVER going back. Though it doesn't smell up my house as much as I hoped it would, it was so fun picking out the perfect one at the Christmas tree farm with Mr. T, strapping it to the roof of his car, and putting on Christmas music and decorating it as soon as we got home. Tradition in the making!

When do you put up the tree? Well last year we were getting ready to get married in a few weeks and pretty much running around crazy so we didn't get one at all. Insert sad face. And this year we were in Virginia for Thanksgiving so you can bet your bottom dollar we went the first weekend after we returned to Nashville. We made a date night out of it, and had a fabulous dinner beforehand at the Mad Platter, then bundled up to go pick out our tree!

When do you take the tree down? We'll most likely take it down on our wedding anniversary - January 2. Though it may break my heart a little to see it go, I like to start the new year with a nice, clean house - call it feng shui.

Do you like eggnog? Here's the thing. I want to. Really I do. And I ventured out and tried the chocolate version a few weeks ago from Trader Joe's which is a bit better than the traditional. But I'm usually a one glass and done gal. I have never ever finished a carton.

Favorite gift received as a child? So I totally remember when I was 10 or so and we got our first family computer. I remember my parents had programmed it to have "Merry Christmas" rolling across the screen and I thought we were the coolest, tech-savvy family ever.

Hardest person to buy for? I honestly love the challenge of finding the perfect gift for everyone, but since I grew up buying girl presents for my nieces on my side of the family, buying for our nephews on Mr. T's side of the family is like going into foreign territory in the toy store. Which is why we usually divide and conquer - he chooses the boy stuff, and I handle the girls. Trust me, it's better that way.

Do you have a nativity scene? See post below for the one I painted. So yes, now I do!

Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, of course! Email? The horror! We just figured out how to display all of ours on ribbon and I absolutely love checking the mail to see what new one arrives. P.S. You can see our fun finished product in this post. I figured it was the only time we could do a "Top 10 in 2010" theme for our Christmas card, so I went for it. The feedback has been quite positive thus far.

Favorite Christmas movie? The Grinch, by a landslide. I love singing that song in my deepest, scariest voice to Mr. T. And have probably already done that at least 3 times.

When do you start shopping for Christmas? I am now a proud member of Team Early Christmas Shop, due largely to the fact we gave my in-laws their presents at Thanksgiving since we'll be spending Christmas with my folks. But you can't pay me to do anything but watch football on Black Friday. Trampling on aisle one? No thank you.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Chances are likely, though very rarely. However, I did get this fabulous wreath from my fabulous mother in law last year and plan to recycle it every Christmas until all the pretty silver glitter is gone from its twigs. I added the "Ho, Ho, Ho" this year because I thought it was a fun touch. You like?

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Is everything in sight an appropriate answer? No? Okay, then spiced cider on Christmas morning, honey-baked ham, casseroles galore, and this lovely concoction that's a lot like an ice cream float that is like the perfect little exclamation point on our Christmas meal.

Lights on the tree (colored or clear)? Personally, I like clear, but I learned this year that the new LED clear lights are totally throwing off the warm white light with their blue-tinted hue. So I had to make three separate trips to find the RIGHT white lights. My tree is so high-maintenance.

Favorite Christmas song? To sing? Again, The Grinch theme song. It brings out the kid in everyone. But you can't beat an a capella "Silent Night" during a Christmas candlelight service. That was a Christmas staple in my church growing up and I always loved how the congregation looked by candlelight.

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Don't insult me. I have the little prelude to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer engrained in my head. "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen, but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all..."

Angel, star, or ribbon at the top of the tree? Honestly, I like them all. But this year, we went with a big beautiful red bow with fun little things poking out the top and ribbon streamers hanging down. I luuuuuve it.

Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? As a kid, it was always done on Christmas morning. I remember being envious of the kids who got to choose one to open on Christmas Eve, so I may start that tradition with our kiddos one day. We would wake up to see what Santa had brought us that was already out on display, and then open presents a little later, probably to give my parents time to let their coffee kick in. Mr. T and I will be exchanging a little early though, and then opening presents with my family on Christmas morning. However, you see this little book poking up out of his stocking?

I've been writing Mr. T a little message every day (that I remember) and hope to continue that tradition for many years to come. I think it would be fun to look back on. And they aren't all sappy. For instance, after the snowstorm we had on Sunday that kept us cooped up inside with a marathon game of Scattergories and a bottle of wine, I wrote in his book the following day "I love that I beat you in Scattergories." Because I do. Every single time. :)

Favorite children's Christmas song? Again, the Grinch. What, it applies here as well! Okay, okay, Rudoph is also a top contender, but only because I got real excited at all the interjections (like a lightbulb!)

Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crazy drivers and crazier traffic. And P.S. This Alabama native is the first to admit I am not comfortably driving in the icy road conditions we've had the past two days. I'm 10 and 2 the whole way, and if I'm feeling brave, 15 mph. And if someone honks at me, they WILL get my southern stinkeye. Consider yourself warned.

Favorite ornament theme or color? We went with a red and silver theme this year, but used lots of glass and mirrored oraments to reflect lots of pretty light. But I do love this particular little ornament, because it's just so darn cute. It says "Our 1st Christmas."


Turkey or ham on Christmas day? Honey Baked Ham, please and thank you! Turkey is reserved for Thanksgiving, and that would totally mess up the tradition.

What do you want for Christmas this year? Mr. T does read this blog, and I think he already has some ideas, so I'm going to zip it and see what he surprises me with. It's more fun that way. :)

Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? That just made me laugh out loud to even think about. No way.

Age you discovered who Santa was? I want to say I was 8 or 9 but I remember I kept making a BIG production of saying "Thank you, Santa, wherever you are" when I got my gifts because I was afraid if I let on that I knew to my parents, they may not be so generous. But just in case he's reading this, Santa, I want you to see the banner I just made for our stairwell. Because I really do believe. :)

Egg nog, hot chocolate, or apple cider? In order of preference: Cider, Chocolate, Nog.

Traditional colors (red & green) or other colors? You betcha. Unless it's on my Christmas tree, which is red and silver, as I already mentioned. You must not have been paying attention, Mr. Questionnaire.

Do you have any Christmas decorations on your roof? Do you want us to break our necks? No way.

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? Merry Christmas all the way and don't you forget it!

Now who wants to join in the fun? Come on, it's the easiest Monday post ever. And you'll be glad to have all these fun memories tucked away in one place when you're re-reading your blog five years down the road.

Stay warm, friends! And have fun making your own traditions this year!