Ten on Tuesday

It's Ten on Tuesday time!  Christmas edition...

1. When do you put up and take down your Christmas decorations?
   Decorations don't go up until after Thanksgiving.  And they come down sometime before Easter.  Generally sometime in February.  What?  I like to enjoy the decorations longer the a month out of the year.
2. What do you do to simplify the holiday season?This year, I did 90% of my Christmas shopping online.  I simplified by not stressing myself out tryting to park, push my way through crowds, look for the gift that is sold out of everywhere, stand in line forever, or having to pull my hair out.  I shopped in the comfort of my own home, even while wearing my pj's!  Then as packages came in the mail, it's like I got gifts that I got to regift.  So what that I didn't get to actually open each thing.
3. What do you do to remind yourself and your family what the Christmas season is all about?
   During the hub-bub of the holiday season, I regularly have to take a step back and reflect and not get mixed in with the busy-ness of it all.  Christmas is a time to celebrate Christ's birth, to remember that God's son manifested in physical form on earth and what His purpose here was.  It's not about gifts and Santa and getting what you/I want.  It's about time with family and those you love.
4. How do you spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
   Christmas Eve - Generally spent at work, at least most of the day.  Maybe I'll go to the candlelight service at the church I grew up at, although this year they're having a 5pm service too...  Tradition in the family is that we have Mexican food Christmas Eve, a tradition started by my maternal grandfather.
   Christmas Day - Well, the last few years Dad has had to work during some part of Christmas Day, this year he does not.  So in the recent past years we'll pull the DVDs out of the stockings and watch those until Dad is home/awake/off work.  Since Dad has the day off, we'll open our gifts then drive down to my Aunt & Uncle's and spend the day with them (which we normally do the day after Christmas).
5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
   Can I be honest?  I love the fact that we've continued the tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve.  I love the fact that it's something that my Bompy started and that we continue.  I love tamales, and that's normally the entree.  I love that we tease Mom when she buys tamales from Costco and passes them off as homemade. 
6. Did you do the whole Santa thing growing up? What do you like/not like about continuing the tradition?Yep, we sure did.  And I still to this day swear I saw Santa's boots shoot up the chimney one Christmas when I was staying at my grandma and grandpa's while sleeping in the living room.  No joke, I swear it happened.  You know, I don't know if I'll continue the tradition.  I kinda like the idea of using being good as a Santa bribe.  Is that wrong of me?  But obviously that won't be the real message that I teach my kids about Christmas and the meaning of the holiday.  We still get a "Santa gift", being one that is the main gift or the big present from Mom and Dad.  I'm a fan of the santa gifts.
7. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?
   Let me rephrase that question... What isn't my favorite cookie?  'Nuff said.
8. How do you take your egg nog?
   I don't.  I'm not a fan of egg nog.  But I like it used when making french toast.  Try it sometime, instead of milk mixed with the eggs use egg not.  Other than that, I steer clear of the stuff.
9. What is your favorite Christmas carol and why?
   Silent Night.  All verses.  I love that song.  Or Carol of the Bells by Mannheim Steamroller.
10. When was the last time you had a white Christmas?
    Ummmm...I'm still waiting for one.  Hello, I live in California at elevation 100 feet (maybe).  We get snow that doesn't stick maybe once every 8 years.  And I doubt, although God could make it happen, we'll ever get snow on Christmas day.