Thursday, December 14, 2006

TagalongaChristmas!

Christmas Tag, courtesy of Chrissie...('cos if I do it now, I might then spend the rest of the evening writing those Christmas Cards I made two weeks ago!!!!

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Never tried Egg Nog, and not sure I want to. Sounds like it might be hot runny scrambled egg? No thanks! Hot chocolate, camping style please. (With marshmallows and a flake if you don't mind).

Coloured lights on tree/house or white?
White, on the tree. We did have some oh so tasteful white lights outside, but some b***er tried to nick them last year, wrecked them, then left them draped over my car (still switched on). Quite stylish in a broken glass/skoda/statement-of-modern-values installation, but Damien Hirst said he'd already finished his Christmas piece, and Tracy Emin was washing her bedlinen.

Do you hang mistletoe?
But of course. And I have no intention of telling you where!!

When do you put your decorations up?
Soon. We try and hold out until about a week before Christmas, and keep them up until twelfth night, no later.

What is your favourite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Erm, that would be Turkey. I absolutely love Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings (except that mushy chestnut puree/stuffing thing). Would happily eat it more often, and have/will have had it at every Christmas 'do' that I attend.

Favourite Christmas memory as a child:
Father Christmas touring Caversham in a Pumpkin float (why? I have no idea). It was after bedtime, and my Dad took me out in his car just to see it. It felt very special to be out in the middle of the night (probably about 6.30!).

How and When did you learn the truth about Santa?
Sorry, what do you mean? Is he really a woman? Don't understand the question.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No. Never. (and if I'm honest, am usually still wrapping them into the wee small hours anyway).

How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Firstly, it has to be a real tree. Lights first (lots), then strings of wooden beads, then big baubles, followed by little ones, and all the other stuff. We have red, green and gold decorations, and get a bit twitchy if the girls make stuff that is another colour (sad people!). It used to have to be 'perfect', but now we usually open a bottle of something, put on some Christmas music, and after half a glass I don't mind so much if things are a bit haphazard: it's much more fun with all four of us doing the thing together.

Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it: but can't remember having snow at Christmas: not properly.

Can you ice skate?
Very, very, very slowly, and only if the Bar is open. (to recover in).

Do you remember your favourite gift?
That could just possibly be the Fuji S5600 that Father Christmas dropped off a little early for this year ;)

What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Family time. Non negotiable.
My sister and I were absolutely horrified once, when some friends of our parents dropped by unannounced on Christmas Day. Apart from the fact that we thought the day was for family only, we hadn't opened our presents, and had to wait until they had left!

What is your favourite Christmas dessert?
I really don't like Christmas Pud. Sarah and I used to have Viennetta every year, and got a bit twitchy when Granny asked for some to go with her Christmas Pudding. Nowadays Phil makes me a little sticky toffee and pecan pudding, or something similar.

What is your favourite holiday tradition?
The fact that Christmas Day is a tradition. Things have always happened in the same order, from when I was a child.
Stockings opened as soon as we wake up. Sherry before dinner (at 1.00pm), getting dressed up in our nice clothes.
Queen's Speech (my Grandpa always used to stand up for the National Anthem), and only afterwards do we open the presents from under the tree. (works well now we are parents ourselves: spreads the excitement out for longer!).
Phil and I have introduced a new tradition: we did this the first Christmas we had together, and liked the idea: we always have croissants for breakfast, filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, washed down with Bucks Fizz. Decadent? You bet!

What tops your tree?
We bought a new, rather fetching Angel last year. Can't remember what she looks like, but she was rather gorgeous!

Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Goodness me, who wrote this? Receiving of course! (Saint I ain't!).

What is your favourite Christmas Song?
Right, I must just point out at this time, I do not like Maria Carey. However, I am quite partial to 'All I want for Christmas is You', not to mention 'Last Christmas' by George Michael.
Carols: not sure: I like most of them!

What is your favourite Christmas story?
You mean there is more than one?


Right, i shall tag Nat, and Micayla

4 comments:

Chrissie said...

LOL at your Damien Hirst/Tracy Emin answer! And where DO you hang your mistletoe Missus? And also LOL at the iceskating answer. You're too funny Tina!

I always feel like we should have a lovely breakfast on Christmas morning and this year I discovered a non-alchy Bucks Fizz (made by Schloer), so that's what we're washing it down with this year.

Hope you enjoy the recipe I just emailed you :D

Tina said...

In the hall of course! (and another bit somewhere else!).

Looking forward to trying your stuffing!

Nat said...

lol tina - enjoyed that. I'd be aghast at non-family peeps dropping in on Christmas day too. Haven't they got homes to go to? Darn rude I say!!
Off to brave the crowds in town (wish me luck!)but will get on with my tag asap on my return!
Nat xx

Mandy Charlton, Photographer, Writer, Blogger said...

I don't know how you manage to keep the kids from opening presents till after the queens speech, I'm trying to stretch it out a little this year but i'm having to resort to other tactics, I.e. hiding the blimmin things and then bringing out a few at a time, if you had seen my children a dn a big pile of presents i'm sure you would understand!!