Here is a Christmas meme that I snagged from Holly.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I have always loved wrapping paper. I used to wrap up random things when I was little in any paper I could find and everyone would wonder where their stuff had gone. Perhaps I should become a professional gift wrapper? This is not to say that I don’t have love for gift bags, but if I use them it’s more for birthdays or other super-special occasions.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
We always have a real tree. When I was little we used to get a random wonky pine branch off one of the pine trees on my grandparents farm, but last year we bought a pine grown specially for Christmas and we’re doing the same this year. I can see the appeal of artificial trees, but I prefer the real thing.

3. When do you put up the tree?
There isn’t a specific day that we put it up. Generally it’s early/mid December.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually early January.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I’ve never had it and it’s not particularly popular in New Zealand. It seems like the sort of thing one has during winter and it’s obviously summer here in the southern hemisphere. Maybe I’ll make some this year just to see?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don’t remember, though I know I was unbelievably chuffed when I got a green Baby-G watch, because Baby Spice wore a Baby-G watch, too!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Most people this year have been a bit difficult to think of gifts for, actually. I’m on a tight budget so it doesn’t leave me much room to work with, but fortunately I know what I’m getting almost everyone now. Just something else for the boyfriend, but I’ve no idea what, yet.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My mum, as usual.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
No, the focus of Christmas for my family has no connection with the reason behind Christmas.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail, though I’m not sending many out this year. Just a few to close friends and the rest will be given along with presents.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can’t really think of anything. For the most part people are good about picking the right stuff to give me!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas and Love Actually.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Around November. I’m about 1/3 done.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Nope.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Dessert! And Christmas breakfast usually involves lots of yummy fruit, croissants, cheeses, and cranberry sauce. I think it’s actually my favourite meal.

16. Lights on the tree?
Our lights are still packed away and I don’t think we’ll be getting them out before this Christmas! We’ll forgo the lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Santa Baby.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
From 2001-2007 we travelled for Christmas, but now we live in Auckland again so no need to.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
No. I could have copied Holly’s answer, but that would be cheating. I do know Rudolph though.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. I wanted to find a pretty angel or something but haven’t been able to this year (so far, there is still time!).

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, then again at lunch with extended family.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The commercialisation of everything and that stores seem to be decorating and displaying Christmas stuff earlier and earlier, then there is the general business of the shops and stuff.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
It varies, but I adore silver and frosty blue decorations. The only reason I would get an artificial tree is so I can get a black one and decorate it in silver and frosty blue!

24. Favorite memory of Christmas?
I don’t have one in particular; I just love being with my family. I must say though, Christmases have been even better since more nieces and nephews have come along. I think kids add a special kind of magic to it.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
A new cell phone, a 2010 planner, about 5 different calenders I fell in love with the other week, a million pairs of shoes, a house of my own, pretty much everything from Vivien of Holloway… But I’m actually only asking for the first two.