Christmas Survery 2013 - Fit for motherhood

Merry Christmas Eve

I saw this fun survey on Giselle’s blog the other day and thought it was so much fun. Since Christmas is upon us I thought it would be perfect.

25 Question Holiday Survey

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?

This is an easy one. Hot chocolate is definitely my drink of choice. I honestly don’t think I have ever even tried eggnog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa wraps our presents. I love watching our girls get so excited to open their gifts. Something about the unwrapping process is so sweet.

Christmas 2012 – I can’t believe how much they have changed in a year.

Opening their gifts from their stockings.

3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white?

We have all white inside and outside. This is only our second year hanging lights outside, so we hope to expand each and every year. For now we simply hang icicle lights around the edge of our roof. Next year I want to do the trees. 🙂

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

We never have, but I think it would be a fun thing to do. Next year I will!! You can count on that.

5. When do you hang your decorations up?

We typically decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, however, this year we started the weekend before and I really liked it. So, I am hoping to stick with that each and every year. It was nice to come home from our trip and not have to decorate.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Oh my, I don’t know if I could choose just one. I guess I would have to say either my grandma’s rolled manicotti or Nana’s spaghetti. They are both delicious.

7. What is your favorite holiday memory as a child?

I don’t think I can choose just one. I have so many wonder Christmas memories from my childhood. I loved our Christmas Eve tradition of going to church, spending time with our family, reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, watching the TV to see where Santa was, oh my this list could go on and on forever. I seriously have the fondest memories of Christmas in my house as a little girl through adulthood. My parents, particularly my mom worked very hard to make it special and it paid off. 🙂

8. What is on your Christmas wish list?

Honestly, I don’t have much on my life this year. We have been so busy with the four girls I really haven’t had time to think about it. Sleep, would be number one wish!! But I know Steve has lots of surprises up his sleeve for me. He is the best gift giver.

9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve morning we go over to Steve’s dad and stepmom’s house to celebrate Christmas. We have breakfast and exchange gifts. But, all other gifts are saved for Christmas day. We have such a busy couple of days with all of our family, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

We decorate it with white lights and a mix of red, white, and gold ornaments. I used to be picky about how our tree was decorated, but this year I decided to let Sophia take the lead and decorate it to her liking. Therefore, the majority of our ornaments are on the bottom. Every time I look at it I smile. I can’t believe I used to worry about where I put the ornaments on the tree, it is so much better this way. 🙂

Our Christmas Tree 2012

11. Snow? Love it or dread it?

I love snow, as long as I don’t have to go anywhere. I hate driving in the snow; it scares me. I feel very unsafe when the roads are snow covered. I can’t wait to play in the snow with my girls this year.

12. Real tree or fake tree?

Real, always have, always will!! It wouldn’t be Christmas in our house without it!!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

I don’t think I can think of a favorite gift, I have gotten so many wonderful gifts in my 28 years. But, one thing I know is the older I get more and more I look forward to simply spending time with our family. Steve and I were just talking today about how much we love spending Christmas morning at his mom’s and my parents. We enjoy our time together.

14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Spending time with family. This is my favorite time of the year. I love watching people open the gifts we got them, expeically when I come up with a good idea. 🙂

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

I don’t think I can choose just one. As you know I love my desserts. My favorite cookie would have to be peanut butter blossoms. But, I also love my grandma’s angel food cake and pound cake. Oh and I certainly can’t forget my dad’s amazing apple pie. They are delicious.

16. What is your favorite tradition?

So many traditions, so little time. But lately, my all time favorite tradition would have to be our family dinner at P.F. Changs every year. It all started about 8 years ago when my mom decided she wanted to get all her kids together before the craziness of Christmas. So, we went to P.F. Changs on the 23rd and loved every minute of it, we knew this was going to become a tradition and it has!! It started with the 5 of us (my mom, dad, sister, and brother) and now we have 10!! Oh my!!

However, I have to say I love our Christmas morning tradtion. We spend time at both my parents house and Steve’s mom and stepdad’s house. We truly have a wonderful time. It may seem busy but we love it all the same.

17. What tops your tree?

A star, my mom bought for us last year. This is our first year, putting it up and Sophia said Daddy did it wrong, it’s tilting. Haha!!

18. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

I absolutely love giving gifts. I love watching people get excited over the gift I gave them. The best is when I come up with the best surprise and I definitely have a few of those this year.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

We love Christmas music in our house. We start listening to it right after Halloween. Right now my favorite song has to be “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” because of the way Sophia and Isabella sing that song. It is the most precious sound.

20. Candy canes…yuck or yum?

No thank you. I am not a mint/peppermint fan whatsoever. Give me chocolate any time of day.

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

I don’t know if I have a favorite. I have always loved Miracle on 34th Street, that defiantly tops the list. But, I do love the Polar Express, and Santa Paws is adorable, oh and of course Home Alone. I can’t wait until the girls are a little older so we can watch more Christmas movies together.

22. What do you leave for Santa?

We leave cookies on plate that says the girls Christmas wish. This year Sophia is going to write a letter to Santa.

23. Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?

We wake up and open up stockings and gifts them get into the car and go to Steve’s mom and stepdad’s house, my parents house, Nana’s house and Gigi’s house. It is a crazy busy day, but it is one of our favorites and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love spending this day with our family.

24. Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?

I used to love shopping at the mall, but once I became a mom on-line shopping has become a must. Each year Steve does take off the first Monday in December and we try to knock out all our shopping in one day.

25. Christmas letter or Christmas card?

We send out Christmas cards with photos.

2009 – Sophia’s first Christmas