Hootin' Anni's Christmas MeMe

1. Christmas is Exciting. [fill in the blank with ONE WORD]

2. In memories, what was the best part of your Christmases past?
Waking up early as a very small child and creeping downstairs with my brother to see what was under the tree, and then trying to guess what was in the presents. Come to think of it, I still try and guess what's inside the presents.

3. Was Santa ever good to you? [describe how and what]
Always! Every year! But I think that the one present that stands out is the first Christmas I spent away from home when I was 9. My parents must have arranged with my aunt to get me a walking and talking doll. If I held the doll's hand and walked, her legs moved and she walked with me. Even though I missed being home, that stands out as one of the biggest surprises I ever got.

4. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or both?
Christmas Day, always. We all sit down together with cups of coffee or tea and take it in turns to open one present each. It's lovely, because you can really enjoy the whole process of unwrapping and discovering. One person gets the job of writing down who got what from whom, so that there are no awkward 'thank you for the um um um....' moments.

5. Is there something you make each and every year? [craft or recipe]
Not really. Sometimes I'll make a craft, sometimes I'll cook a recipe. Of course, the one constant is the Christmas Turkey.

6. What is your favorite five[5] Christmas songs/hymns?
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, We Three Kings, Good King Wenceslas, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard On High. (I could go on, and I'm not even sure that I've got the titles right.)

7. Is there a new tradition for Christmas since your childhood days?
Each of the children get a personalised Christmas tree decoration. They've each had one since their first Christmas, and when they eventually have their own tree to decorate, they'll each have a unique set of decorations to start off with.

8. Describe one of your Christmas trips. [whether it's across town or across country]
We're planning to go to my brother's house for Christmas Day. He lives about one hour away by car. The road there meanders through windy roads and villages, and at one stage climbs uphill through a wood. It should be quite spectacular if we get a White Christmas, something that doesn't happen often here.

9. Do you have a special Christmas outfit to wear for the day?
Not yet, but I'm sure I will do by the time Christmas is here.

10. Have YOU or any of your family members sat on Santa's lap?
My kids always sat on Santa's lap when they were little.

11. What is/or will be on your Christmas tree this year?
All our family decorations. There are so many personalised ones for the children now, that there's little room left for anything else. We have an Angel at the top of the tree.

12. Do you/or have you decorated your yard for Christmas?
Just lights on a tree. Most of my decorations are indoors, but I do put icicle lights outside my front door.

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