Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?   

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

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?   

5. When do you put your decorations up? 

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? 

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
 
12. Can you ice skate?   

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? 
 
17. What tops your tree? 

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?   

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  hot chocolate.....with lots of marshmallows

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  My parents wrap them, then put them under the tree

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  It depends.  My sister and I take turns every other year with a thematic decoration.  This year it's "White Christmas", so the lights on the tree and the house will be white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Tradition dictates we never put decorations up until after my sister's birthday, which is Dec. 3rd.  We were going to do it early this year, but changed our minds.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  My mom's meat dressing

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to Berghoff's for dinner, then to see the Christmas tree at Daley Plaza, then to see the Marshall Fields' windows

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was maybe 6.  I saw my parents putting the presents under the tree.  That and my mom never bothered to disguise her handwriting when she wrote "From Santa" on the gift tags.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Absolutely not.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Like I said above, it depends on the theme.  Usually it's some colored variation of garland, ornaments and lights.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  LOVE IT!!!!!!  I grew up in Chicago, so for me.....it's not Christmas without it.  That's one thing I hate about living down here.

12. Can you ice skate?  And risk breaking a bone again?  No thanks.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Diamond necklace from my father last year.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Family, food, and fun.  And presents.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  My mom's pumpkin pie.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? See answer to Question #7

17. What tops your tree? Depends on the theme.......since it's White Christmas this year, it'll be a snowflake.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving.  Although receving ain't that bad.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Non-religious: Celebrate Me Home - Kenny Loggins; Religious - O Holy Night

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  YUM!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    Egg Nog!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  He wraps them of course.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  White, I'm classy.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    Yeah, on my belt buckle.

5. When do you put your decorations up?  No more earlier than the 12th.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  Stuffing.. or Goose.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  My dad building me a sledge and taking me out all day on it.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  When I was about 8 I woke up at 11 (I thought it was AM and freaked but of course it wasn't, it was PM.. ran downstairs and there was mom sitting surrounded by presents. "Did you see Santa?" 'Errrmm.. .. err.. yes, yes he just left.' "Why didn't he eat his mince pie?" 'Well, he wasn't very hungry.'... I think I'd had my doubts for a while.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Sometimes.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Real old decorations and then a few new ones. Lights first, then strings of beads then baubles and decorations.. then an angel (the only religious consolation I'll make).

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT!
 
12. Can you ice skate?    Yeah, but I can't roller skate, how weird is that.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Every year there's something you decide you want even more.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  I guess.. spending time with my friends.... I don't really like most of my family so I avoid the big family get together.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Trifle Yo!
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Going out and walking the dogs in the morning, no matter how much the weather sucks.
 
17. What tops your tree?  An angel.. usually a very drunk looking angel at an angle.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Receiving, I ain't no charity.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Fairytale of New York by The Pogues.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Eh..I'd prefer some more pie.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Definitely Hot Chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Um...neither, 'cause I do both, lol.  ;D

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    Nah.

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Maybe...3 weeks before Christmas.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  Well we always buy cans of smoked oysters for the holidays so....I'll go with that.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  When I was like 5, I wanted to set out cookies and milk for Santa (the old cliche').  Unfortunately we were too poor at the time and didn't have either of those.  So I set koolaid and peanuts out for him instead, lol.  ;D

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  My mom told me when I was like 7, I was depressed for like 10 minutes and then moved on.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Yeah, but at nighttime.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Now we just put lights and ribbon on it pretty much.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  It's OK at first, and then I wish it'd just go away.
 
12. Can you ice skate?  Somewhat.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  A "Highstepper" battery-operated horse figure made by the Barbie company (got it when I was like 4).

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Hearing about the birth of Jesus.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Pumpkin Pie.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Buying smoked oysters.  ;D
 
17. What tops your tree?  A lighted star that also has an angel in the middle.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  IDK, their both equal to me.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  "Mary, Did You Know?"

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Neither, they're just OK. 

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Egg nog....with brandy.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? It depends on if it's an oddly shaped gift or not. Boxes get wrapped. Rocking horses do not.  

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? It depends on what my sister is doing to my parent's house this year.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yup.  

5. When do you put your decorations up? They usually go up on Turkey Day.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) The turkey and the cranberry sauce.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my grandparent's house and just hanging out with the family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? When I found the presents in my parent's closet.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We used to.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Silver beads, icicles, and antique ornaments from Germany. We also have the typical handmade ornaments from when we were kids.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I'm not sure. This will be the first year I experience it, and so far the weather hasn't been cooperative.
 
12. Can you ice skate? No. I'm not sure my wide butt would be able to balance proper on ice skates.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The last Christmas my grandfather was alive, he gave me a Raiders jacket. I still have it.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with the family. Oh yeah, and this year I don't have to do any work, except get us to California.  

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie. It's the only time I eat the stuff.
   
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Arguing with the family. It's guaranteed that a few of us will always start fighting over something stupid that will be forgotten about five minutes later. It's beautiful.
 
17. What tops your tree? An angel that my grandfather brought back from Germany. The halo is falling off and the paint is chipping, but it's still the most beautiful tree topper I've seen. 

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving, but I don't mind getting a few things.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "Christmas At Ground Zero" -Weird Al Yankovic

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I like the ones that aren't peppermint flavored.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot Chocolate

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

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Yes

5. When do you put your decorations up?  3 weeks before Christmas

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Swearing I heard Santa's bells ringing and getting my sister all excited ;D

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 4th grade and I wanted to beat the crap out of the kid who said it.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Its themed every year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it

12. Can you ice skate?  yes

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No  :(

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  being with friends and family

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin cheesecake
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Don't have one

17. What tops your tree?  Santa  ;D

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  both

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Grandma got ran over by reindeer

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  yum

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Egg Nog   

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

He always wraps!  ;) 

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

Colored mainly, but I do use one or two strings of white lights. 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Nope.  It's not readily available where I live.   

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Usually about 2 or 3 weeks before Christmas. 

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

Yorkshire pudding!  Yum!  :D

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:

Not sure.  I'll have to think about this. 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

One of my brothers told me when I was about 9 years old.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Nope.  Just the kiddies have those honors. 
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

Usually from top to bottom!  :D 

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

I love it, but unfortunately it's not something I get to see very often.  :-\\
 
12. Can you ice skate?

Not very well.   

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

Not sure.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Being with family. 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

Apple Crisp.  I make a really good one.  :)
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Indulging in a wonderful Christmas dinner!  :D 
 
17. What tops your tree?

A star. 

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?

I love both just as much. 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?

'Little Altar Boy'

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?

Once in a while they're yummy, but I don't really eat them anymore.   

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Both-but egg nog without alcohol-I just perfer it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  It depends on how big the present is-most are wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  Colored-and blinking.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    Of course.

5. When do you put your decorations up?  About a week before Christmas.

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Probably going carolling.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What? That he lives at the North Pole? I knew that at a very young age.  ;)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope-but we used to be able to open a gift for Hanakah.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights first, and then everything else-followed by tinsel.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it.
 
12. Can you ice skate?  It has been decades since I skated.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? There have been many over the years but I would have to say Carlos taking me to Puerto Rico for the first time.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Being with Carlos

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Everything
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I guess putting up a tree.
 
17. What tops your tree?  It used to be angel that my mother made but the year we got married we bought a star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? A Soulin'-Peter, Paul, & Mary

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  They're ok-in small amounts.




Cat

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate. I never was all too fond of Egg Nog. Double up on the marshmallows for me, too. Love them. Even better, add some M n' M's and some whipped cream! 

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  To be honest, I know my mom wraps them. Or whoever else is in the house. I don't believe in Santa, but I will still call the morning gifts "Santa" gifts - lol

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I like to mix them. I'm not really a go by the book kinda of person. So, having a creative mix of whites and colors, it can look pretty nice :0)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? One year we did purchase a sprig, and that's the only time I remember buying one.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Every year has varied, but we're generally the late birds when it comes to getting a tree and hanging stuff up. When my parents weren't divorced, we seemed to get into it a little earlier.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) Gosh, when I was eating meat, I loved it when my mom made roast beef, but I don't think this is just for holidays, but it was always a nice, warm treat from getting out of the cold.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: I have so many memories that are special. One of my best memories is when my Grandmother purchased us a white upright piano for Christmas and seeing it in our living room seemed to make Christmas even more magical. We also have some really funny memories that are like inside jokes within our family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't think I really learned the truth until after 7 years old. My Dad took a lot of effort into making us believe Santa stopped by. He took ash from our fireplace and placed it on the fireplace brick and some on the rug. He ate some of the cookie and left a note. Then he left some coal for the naughty one that year, lol.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We have a family exchange with other relatives that we open up, but we leave everything else for the morning. I never liked the idea of opening gifts on Christmas Eve. It never felt right. 
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?   We use to decorate it with garland, ornaments, a really old angel from the '50s that my Dad inherited, and we used those big bulbs, not the mini-lights. But jeez, if those bulbs got near a plastic ornanment, they got melted, lol. Now, we use the small mini-lights,

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? We have never had snow on Christmas day here in California (at least this part of Cali), so I have never known how it feels to wake up to snow falling on Christmas day, but I'd love to go somewhere one year where I could experience it. So, to be honest, I am not sure if I love it or dread it, because I've never "lived" in it.
 
12. Can you ice skate? Yes. I'm not the best, but I was getting better last year the more I worked on it.   

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I had so many great gifts. I was really blessed to recieve such wonderful  things every year. I think my Barbie houses were the toppers!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Just soaking it all up, but not losing sight of the real meaning behind it. 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I love homemade fudge, pie and various other things!
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Getting a christmas tree, watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," and spending time with family and friends.
 
17. What tops your tree?  Usually an angel, sometimes a star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? I love giving stuff away more than recieving. But, I won't reject it  ;D

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night, followed by more secular and non-secular stuff.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?    I like them!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? 
I have no idea what Egg Nog is so I say Champagne!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 
No I wrap them  ::)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? 
Coloured and twinkling.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? 
Absolutely.

5. When do you put your decorations up? 
About three weeks before christmas and down by twelfth night.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)
Roast potatoes and my mum's gravy.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
Getting up early and sitting with just the christmas tree lights on with my Nan.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I have no idea.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
Loads of baubles and tinsel.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it until it goes slushy.

12. Can you ice skate? 
No, I like to keep my feet firmly on the ground!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Getting a piece of Scotland and a lairdship last year was very cool. Getting engaged was the best though.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? 
Spoiling everyone.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
  Only one?? The custard and cream bit of the triffle!  ;D

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching a Christmas Carol (George C Scott version) and drinking champagne on christmas eve.

17. What tops your tree?
A snowman in a star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? 
Giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
The Pogues and Kirsty McColl

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Don't have them in the U.K we have hollow chocolate shapes you hang on the tree.i 

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?   Definitely hot chocolate....I truly can't stand the taste of eggnog.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?   They are always wrapped...no matter how awkward the package is...it wouldn't be the same without the wrapping.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?   We use white lights on the outside, with a few colored mix through. On our tree, we use these antique looking blue bulbs.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    My mom & dad always hung mistletoe...but we haven't at our house yet.

5. When do you put your decorations up?   Right after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) I don't really have a favorite..I just like everything that is served during that time. (nuts you can crack, cheese/cracker/veggie trays, our traditional Italian dinner on Christmas day, stuff like that).

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  When I was about 8, my grandpap (now deceased) built us this great looking club house. It had a door/window and everything. It was stucco material (brown and white), and on Christmas morning we awoke to find it sitting in our drive-way...we were SO excited!!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can't really remember how old I was exactly...I had to be around 8 or so...my mom told me...I cried.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  We open our gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas morning we open Santa's gifts. ;)
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  We decorate our tree to look very antique looking.  I have inherited a lot of my great-grandma's Christmas decorations, as well as ones that I have bought at antique shops...it's really very pretty.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it! The only thing that I don't like is when we get an ice storm...but snow, just lovely.
 
12. Can you ice skate?    heck no. The last time I got on ice skates was when I was 12, I vowed never to do it again...and I haven't. LOL!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? There have been a few...the clubhouse that my grandpap made, a little jeep that my parents got me when I was 5...too many really to count...my parents always treated us so well.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?   Spending time with my family, incorporating the story of the nativity in our traditions.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I would have to say some of the cookies that my mom has made over the years.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Getting together with our family, my tradition (from when I was young) was to hand out the gifts to everyone else, watch them open them, and then open mine last....watching "A Christmas Story" fifty million times, going to our candlelight Christmas service at church, being apart of our live nativity, making a trip to our local Italian store to get lots of neat holiday goodies.
 
17. What tops your tree?  We have a beautiful angel that Chris and I bought a few years ago...she looks very Victorian.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?   I love giving gifts, and seeing people's expressions when they open them. :)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I'll Be Home For Christmas

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?    they are ok sometimes...especially the newer kinds that taste like different flavors.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I don't really like either 

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

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe? 
No

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Since we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, there's nothing left after Halloween but Christmas so I usually start decorations on November 1 

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)
Honey Glazed Ham

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: 
1984; when my Bro and I were given the Atari 7800.  We had so much fun playing it!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Truth?  what truth? lol

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 
When I was little, I used to, but not no more
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? 
Lights wrapped around the tree and a few hanging decorations

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
LOVE IT!
 
12. Can you ice skate? 
Yes 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
1984 - Atari 7800

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Being with family 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Undecided
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? 
Going to visit the relatives on the 26th
 
17. What tops your tree? 
Star w/ lights

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? 
It is always better to give and recieve

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Thanks For Christmas - The Three Wisemen (1984)

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Yum, but don't eat too many at once, or you will start feeling sick

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    Hot Chocolate, though Nog is good on occasion.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?    Everything's wrapped or hidden until the moment it's to be given.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?    We alternate.. the past two years, we've used white because our colored lights died out, so we might be going for a more sleek, classy white tree sort of thing.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    No, we never really have anybody but family over.

5. When do you put your decorations up?    The day after Black Friday is usually when we start.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  Ham, personally. Those whole turkeys lack flavor for me, really.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Nothing that really stands out, the holidays are more one big collective feeling for me than they are specific events.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  My parents flat-out told me when I was 8.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  One gift, yes. That's a custom I actually started cause aside from our family party, we didn't really have any traditions of our own at the house. The other two family members pick which one you get, so it's usually nothing huge, but something decently nice.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Well, as I said above, it used to be a ton of old family ornaments and stuff we get when I was very young. Now, since many of the ornaments have worn out, the lights have died, and we lost several of our favorites due to some basement flooding, we wrap it in this nice silver tinsel and white lights. It looks very nice, very bright. We use a fake one every year, and we rotate it on the a stand.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  I love it, unless I'm left with the massive shoveling job around our house while my parents are at work.

12. Can you ice skate?    I don't really have the coordination to do anything fancy, but I can skate decently.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  My acoustic guitar two years ago. Very nice, and the gift I found the most use for.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?    The family unity. I mean the extended family. We're always close, but this really brings us together.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Probably just the cookies.. we make very good ones, my mother and I.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? The giant gathering of all my uncles and their families along with my grandmother.. it's good times, it really is. Though this year we're spending Christmas in Florida.

17. What tops your tree? We have this very nice Santa in gold-and-white robes.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Bit of both, but probably receiving, selfish as it may sound.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "Hark, The Herald Angels Sing" or "We Three Kings".. the secular ones just aren't as good, for some reason.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  I do like the standard peppermint ones, but I don't care for the fruit-flavored ones.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I'd much prefer hot milk with a good slug of brandy in it!   

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 
Everything wrapped (even the cat if she's daft enough to get too involved!)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? 
Tasteful white (and I'll bet half of 'em have blown by now!)  

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No   

5. When do you put your decorations up? 
Approx. 2nd week in December  

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)
The MEAT!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: 
Can't remember, I'm afraid...

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
See #7...

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 
No
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? 
With decorations!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Depends...
If I'm struggling to get to work/shop/whatever in it...dread it
If I'm warmly stashed away in bed...love it
 
12. Can you ice skate? 
Very badly!  

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Oh yes...

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? 
Being with the folks/friends/sworn enemies...
Even more important...being allowed to scarper before I've outstayed my welcome!  

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Christmas pud...
   
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? 
Eating and drinking to excess and winning awards for being lazy!
 
17. What tops your tree? 
Nothing...whatever was put there always fell off!

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? 
Both... 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? 
A wonderful little ditty entitled 'Thank God I Haven't Got To Go Into That Bloody Office For A Fortnight' (which hasn't been written yet, but give me time!)

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? 
Never indulged...

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Depends on how tired "Santa" is

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  It would be cooler if they were those glow in the dark things that charge up in sunlight so we wouldn't have to waste that much electricity :D

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    Baby probably wouldn't like mistletoe too much

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Well, if I never took them down from last year...

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  whatever the family makes is fine with me

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  I shot a firecracker once, that was cool

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  Santa had a "quick shave"...that was pretty weird

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  no, the parents used to make us wait until Boxing Day even though it's not celebrated in the US of A...darn Canadian holidays ;)
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  streamers and little ball things

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  snow is cool...ice is cooler
 
12. Can you ice skate?    yeah, still working on the whole stopping on a dime thing though

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  yeah, I got musk one year and I laughed because I don't use musk

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  spending time with family and vegging out

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? pie!
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  vegging
 
17. What tops your tree?  a star of some sort

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  giving is good

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  yay!

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot Chocolate

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

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Nope 

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Dec11

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Getting PAC-MAN 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  Huh?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  After midnight service
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Very carefully

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  Love it!
 
12. Can you ice skate? No 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, I got to see Peter Tork at a local club.  My ex-boyfriend paid my ticket.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Family!  Seeing my Mom act like a kid again.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  hot apple pie
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Finding my incredibly large Snoopy stocking full of stuff.
 
17. What tops your tree?  An angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Silent Night by Enya    Snoopy's Christmas- The Royal Guardsman

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?      Yum!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate with whipped cream please

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Mom will wrap them :-)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Both on the tree this year. It's totally COVERED in lights. Probably 6 strings on a 3 foot tree. lol

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nah, I get kisses anytime I want from the hubby. All I gotta do is ask. Sometimes I even get a sneak attack/drive-by kiss. lol

5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually Thanksgiving night but this year I put mine up on Sat. Nov. 18th

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) I love love love Stuffing. Even Stove Top if it isn't homemade.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: lol it's kinda funny. When we were younger, mom would drive us around and look at people's houses that were decorated on the outside with lights. Once we drove around SO much that we ran out of gas on the way home (and we live on a huge, winding hill that we had to walk home. About a half mile (for a kid that's alot). lol

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember. Dad used to always tease me that he shot Santa (and/or one of his famous reindeer) with one of Dad's collection of guns. He'd always say the same thing about the Easter Bunny. Either he shot them, or ran over them with the car on his way home from work.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We used to. Now it just depends on when I get home for a visit.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? LOTS of strings of lights, red shiny garland, and this year little snowflake ornaments that I found at the Dollar store. Usually though I put my hubby's Star Trek ships (they were micro-machine - they are so cute). But I lost a few of the ships last year, so I probably won't use them this year. I don't want to get into trouble. You can't buy them anymore.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it if I don't have to drive in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Nope. I can't even roller skate.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No, I'm lucky to remember what happened this past weekend. I think I have early Alzheimer's.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I suppose it would be nice to say "Family". But really, truth be told, I just want peace and quiet.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hmmm...used to be cookies. I can't really eat them anymore since I'm an insulin-dependant Diabetic now.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I dunno. I guess seeing the family. It used to be going to see B. E. Taylor in concert in Wheeling, but I live too far away now to go.

17. What tops your tree? This year it's Santa.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving, definately.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Light in the manger by B. E. Taylor

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yuck, although they are pretty.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    Neither

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Wrap most except big things like bikes.

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    Nope

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  Pork roast or sausage balls.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Too many but getting a Cabbage Patch Doll was a bid thing also not a favorite memory but something we always talk about is how I seemed to fall down the steps every Christmas...must have been the new shoes.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  I can't remember, 7-8 I guess.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  At the In-laws.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  I usually have 2, one traditional and one that is white with blue and white lights and ornaments.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  LOVE IT!!!
 
12. Can you ice skate?    If you call falling on your arse skating then, Yeah I can skate.  LOL!!!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  The Sunshine Family Dolls, Stars Wars Album, those rolls of Lifesavers that came in a book, and Bonnie Bell Lip Gloss...too many!!!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Getting togther with family.  Seeing my kids wake-up on X-mas morning.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Cheesecake and buckeyes.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Opening presents!!  LOL!!
 
17. What tops your tree?  On the one tree it's an Angel, the other is a star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  GIVING!!!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Oh Holy Night.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Yum.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate - egg nog makes me queasy.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Wrapped for sure.  It's way more fun when you can open them.

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  My parents always did, but I haven't.  I should go get some. 

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Anytime after Thanksgiving.  I might do it this weekend if I have time. 

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  Turkey dinner with the works.  I can't wait until Thursday!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  My dad used to make my sisters and I wait in the kitchen while he went into the family room and lit the fire and turned on the tree and Christmas music.  It was torture to stand there and wait, but the most exquisite torture.  I don't think I've ever been so excited as I was on those mornings.  My dad was so great about making holidays really special.  http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/05/herz.gif

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  When I was in Kindergarten - my mom used the same paper Santa used to wrap some of her other gifts.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Yes.  My family draws names and we open that gift on Christmas Eve. 

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Lots of color.  Colored lights and all different colored ornaments.  I have a bunch of 50's looking ornaments I got a the dollar store.  I love them.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  Pretty much dread it.
 
12. Can you ice skate?  I used to be pretty good but it's been years. 

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Probably my Cabbage Patch Kid.  Or this pink sapphire jewelry my husband gave me two years ago.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Being with my family. 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Pumpkin Pie.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  My parents have hosted a Christmas brunch on Christmas morning forever.  All of my aunts and uncles and cousins come over.  It helps the day last longer and it's just really fun and relaxing.
 
17. What tops your tree?  This diamondy snow flake. 

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving.  I love to Christmas shop!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  I have a lot - Santa Baby, and Baby it's Cold Outside are probably at the top.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Meh.  I can take 'em or leave 'em.

Am I the only person here who even likes egg nog!?

Am I the only person here who even likes egg nog!?


No. But you can't have my version of it because it's usually loaded with booze.

No. But you can't have my version of it because it's usually loaded with booze.


Yanno, I have a feeling I wouldn't like the taste of booze anyway.

Yanno, I have a feeling I wouldn't like the taste of booze anyway.



Some booze tastes good.

Some booze tastes good.


:P Mongolian Beef's supposed to taste good. I don't like it.

:P Mongolian Beef's supposed to taste good. I don't like it.


Mongolian beef is delicious.  Booze isn't so good.  Unless it's concealed by all sorts of sweet juices and such.  It still tastes better than egg nog though!

Malibu Rum + pineapple juice + little umbrella = HEAVEN

Malibu Rum + pineapple juice + little umbrella = HEAVEN



OMG...I love you!  That is my absolute favorite drink!!!!  I use Parrot Bay or Malibu Rum with pineapple juice!! :)

:P Mongolian Beef's supposed to taste good. I don't like it.


:o

Alcohol is good if you know how to mix it proper. Beer is disgusting though.


Malibu Rum + pineapple juice + little umbrella = HEAVEN


Hella yum.

OMG...I love you!  That is my absolute favorite drink!!!!  I use Parrot Bay or Malibu Rum with pineapple juice!! :)



Gee Erin, I had no idea.  I'm.....I'm.....stunned.  My roommate Lauren would make those at our End of the Semester parties when we were at school.




:o

Alcohol is good if you know how to mix it proper. Beer is disgusting though.


Beer is putrid.  I can barely stand to smell it.

Beer is disgusting though.



Beer is putrid.  I can barely stand to smell it.


Leave now... whilst i'll still let you.

Leave now... whilst i'll still let you.


I like Guinness. That's as far as I'll go.

Malibu Rum + pineapple juice + little umbrella = HEAVEN


Oh...I got SO SICK one night drinking malibu rum.  I can't even smell it anymore...


I love beer.  It's one of the only things I haven't gotten sick on! 

I like Guinness. That's as far as I'll go.


You may live. For now.

I love Guiness.. especially at this time of the year. I drink Lager in the warmer months and then bitter & guinness in the cool months.

Oh...I got SO SICK one night drinking malibu rum.  I can't even smell it anymore...


That's how I am around the Jagermeister. In my younger and stupider days (read: 3 1/2 years ago), I decided to be a smartass and drink a WHOLE bottle of that stuff. I didn't puke (I have the amazing ability to not puke while drunk), but I did black out and only remember waking up in my bed the next morning. According to my family, they found me on the living room floor, laughing my ass off and refusing to cooperate with them when they tried to move me. Amazingly enough, I didn't have a hangover (another talent of mine). I'm lucky I survived, honestly. But now I can't smell it or look at it without feeling weird. Same goes for Goldschlager.


You may live. For now.


Spank you.

Leave now... whilst i'll still let you.



Eff you, no way.

I didn't puke (I have the amazing ability to not puke while drunk),



I officially hate you.


I didn't have a hangover (another talent of mine).


See above.  


;)

I've gotten sick on pretty much every single hard liquor.  You'd think I'd have given up after a while, but I'm no quitter.

Eff you, no way.


Okay Mixed Berry Bacardi Breezer and sprite coming up. :)

Okay Mixed Berry Bacardi Breezer and sprite coming up. :)


Oooh, that sounds good.

I officially hate you.

See above.  


;)

I've gotten sick on pretty much every single hard liquor.  You'd think I'd have given up after a while, but I'm no quitter.


;D

I used to get drunk on a regular basis. I still drink now, but usually in moderation. Before though...ooh boy. I have passed out, acted stupid, acted mean, and done things that I regretted later, but I've never puked or had a hangover. I honestly don't know why, considering the amount of alcohol I consumed.

;D

I used to get drunk on a regular basis. I still drink now, but usually in moderation. Before though...ooh boy. I have passed out, acted stupid, acted mean, and done things that I regretted later, but I've never puked or had a hangover. I honestly don't know why, considering the amount of alcohol I consumed.


You're a lucky gal.  I don't really get drunk anymore either - I finally learned.  I think all that crap is part of growing up for a lot of us. 

I've never been drunk.  Never, not once.  Probably because I drink 2 drinks and then go straight to Diet Coke. 

Oooh, that sounds good.


I drink it while I'm watching really good movies. :)  It's not the type of thing you can truly appreciate in a bar setting.

You're a lucky gal.  I don't really get drunk anymore either - I finally learned.  I think all that crap is part of growing up for a lot of us. 


Yep. I drink on the weekends when I'm listening to my friend's shows online, but not to the point of drunkeness. The last time I truly got ripped was back in August when I went to visit my friends in Michigan. Two whole days of drunken debauchery. It was fantastic. And I was the ONLY ONE who didn't puke. ;D

I made up this drink for a Christmas party I went to a couple of years ago, and my friend swears it's the best isht ever, so here it is:

Absolut Chocoholic:

Absolut Vanilla
Creme de Cacao
Kahlua (or however it's spelled)

Dip the martini glass in some excess Absolut Vanilla and then rim it in cocoa powder.

I made up this drink for a Christmas party I went to a couple of years ago, and my friend swears it's the best isht ever, so here it is:

Absolut Chocoholic:

Absolut Vanilla
Creme de Cacao
Kahlua (or however it's spelled)

Dip the martini glass in some excess Absolut Vanilla and then rim it in cocoa powder.


Taking notes!!! :)

Taking notes!!! :)


For reals. I'll have to make that for my mom in December.

My friend also got me hooked on Bailey's and Barq's. You take a shot or two (depending on what you like) of Bailey's, toss it in a good sized glass, get a can of cold Barq's root beer, tilt the glass to the side, and SLOWLY pour it in. So good.

For reals. I'll have to make that for my mom in December.

My friend also got me hooked on Bailey's and Barq's. You take a shot or two (depending on what you like) of Bailey's, toss it in a good sized glass, get a can of cold Barq's root beer, tilt the glass to the side, and SLOWLY pour it in. So good.


Bailey's and Buttershots is delicious!!!  :D

(There's a name for it, but as it's rather 'nasty', I won't post it here...)

Bailey's and Buttershots is delicious!!!  :D

(There's a name for it, but as it's rather 'nasty', I won't post it here...)


Isn't it called a Copper Camel?  Maybe I'm thinking of something else.  Those, I can drink!  :)



I made up this drink for a Christmas party I went to a couple of years ago, and my friend swears it's the best isht ever, so here it is:

Absolut Chocoholic:

Absolut Vanilla
Creme de Cacao
Kahlua (or however it's spelled)

Dip the martini glass in some excess Absolut Vanilla and then rim it in cocoa powder.


Oooh...that sounds fabulous.  I might have to risk it.

Isn't it called a Copper Camel?  Maybe I'm thinking of something else.  Those, I can drink!  :)


I think it's a drink that starts with the word "slippery".  But I'm not 100% certain on that one.

Isn't it called a Copper Camel?  Maybe I'm thinking of something else.  Those, I can drink!   :)

I've never heard of a Copper Camel... ???

Actually, the one I'm thinking of also has a bit of grenadine in it, and the visual effect is what gives the drink its name... ;D

I think it's a drink that starts with the word "slippery".  But I'm not 100% certain on that one.


You're correct!  ;)

Just looked up drink recipes to check my guess and that drink *is* known as both names (Slippery and Copper), although I, too, had never heard a drink called "Copper Camel."

Apparently there is a THIRD name for this drink... and it begins with the word "stiff".  You fill in the rest.  ;D

Speaking of drinks, I really can't tolerate a great deal of most. I cannot drink beer. Nothing about it is good. If I'm going to drink, it's got to be worth drinking. I'm not going to waste it on some crappy tasting beer and lose precious liver cells in the process.

I actually am not too fond of wine, either. I will drink bits of Port here and there, and enjoy some wine tastings, but I really don't have much interest in it other than that.

One thing I do like are different martinis. I like my drinks to be somewhat tart and sweet at the same time. I've had Lemon Drops and Appletini's and those I'm sure I could down, if given the chance  ;D

Am I the only person here who even likes egg nog!?



I like egg nog-I just don't like booze in it.


I perfer to have my booze in other drinks.


The Puerto Ricans have Coquito which is basically a Puerto Rican egg nog (even though some-like Carlos, don't put any egg in it). One of these days, I will dig up Carlos' recipe and post it.



Cat

I was just handed the recipe for Coquito


2 cans of cream of coco (30 oz)
2 cans evaporated milk (12 oz)
750 mm rum

Cinnamon, vanilla


That is all the recipe says. I guess you are suppose to mix it all and drink.  ;D ;D



Cat

My hubby loves the egg nog milkshakes they have at Steak and Shake.  I tried some of his a couple times but I just don't like it very much.  :(

I was just handed the recipe for Coquito


2 cans of cream of coco (30 oz)
2 cans evaporated milk (12 oz)
750 mm rum

Cinnamon, vanilla


That is all the recipe says. I guess you are suppose to mix it all and drink.  ;D ;D



Cat


I'm so making this for my family when we go home. ;D



My hubby loves the egg nog milkshakes they have at Steak and Shake.  I tried some of his a couple times but I just don't like it very much.  :(


I have a coupon for a free milkshake from there. I think I'll try that flavor sometime. Their shakes are delicious.

I love the way this thread has become about drink!  ;D

I'm sad all you ladies are dissing beer, mind you the weak gnats p*ss you call beer in America is probably why !!

I too have a spirit I can't even bear to smell anymore, Smirnoff vodka. Boy was that a bad night, for about a year I'd start retching at the mention of the word alone!

So what IS Eggnog??  I've never drunk it.

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?   Both but I'll say Egg Nog since you can only get it around this time of year

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?   Let's get this straight.. Santa isn't paying the bills around here, I am !  So unless Santa wants to fork over some cash to pay off the Visa come January, he ain't getting credit for sheeeit!!  :D  As for the presents.. always wrapped..  

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?   Colored and lots of them

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Nope. Isn't that stuff poison?  

5. When do you put your decorations up?   Depends on my work schedule. If I have the weekend off after Thanksgiving , I usually put the tree up then. Otherwise it's my next available weekend off . Because it's a 2 day job

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) I love the Fruit Salads and Candied Yams with the baked marshmallows on top.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  I guess watching the adults get drunk and then get into some sort of arguements.. It never failed.. Actually I'm kidding about that being my favorite memory... hmm I guess I'd have to say, the last Christmas my Grandfather was alive, in 1981, when I was 14. He died 6 months later, to the day.. June 24th 1982. So that was my most precious memory of Christmas. And No family fights that year , either.. It was amazing.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't think I ever believed in Santa.. I guess I knew for sure there was no Santa when I was 6..

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?   We have Christmas week.. usually.. Because of all the get togethers with all the fragmented families and friends..  It depends on my work schedule, but usually yes, we open presents on Christmas eve and then have Christmas Day with the relatives. If I'm not working.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  I have TONS of ornaments.. that I've been collecting since I was a kid.. so my tree is covered with all kinds of ornaments.. and usually silver garland, and lots of colored lights. A quilted tree skirt beneath the tree.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?Being in Minnesota, it's unusual NOT to have snow.. So I guess I would say I tolerate it. But it is pretty at Christmas.
 
12. Can you ice skate?  Not anymore.. Bad Knees  

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?hmmm I guess when I was a kid.. I'd say the Baby Alive Doll, The Easy Bake Oven, The Charlies Angels Radio, and the  Barbie head that you put makeup on were my favorite presents. As an adult, hmmm I guess my cedar chest and my curio cabinet were the best gifts.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?   Getting together with Family and friends.. but If I have to work, the  Double time and a half isn't bad either.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? It used to be my grandma's home made fudge.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  lighting candles, turning the lights off and sitting by candle light and looking at the tree all lit up while listening to Christmas carols. Oh and watching A Christmas Story and National Lampoon's A Christmas Vacation EVERY YEAR! they are more traditional in our family than It's a Wonderful Life.
 
17. What tops your tree?  An Angel I've had since 1986.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?   Giving. I don't need or want anything from anyone.. but I love giving presents.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Oh Holy Night, and What Child Is This?

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?    Yum  but maybe only one..

I love the way this thread has become about drink!  ;D

I'm sad all you ladies are dissing beer, mind you the weak gnats p*ss you call beer in America is probably why !!

I too have a spirit I can't even bear to smell anymore, Smirnoff vodka. Boy was that a bad night, for about a year I'd start retching at the mention of the word alone!

So what IS Eggnog??  I've never drunk it.

It's like this thick creamy drink made out of milk and egg yolks, and spiced with Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and some like to put a shot of brandy or rum in it. I like it just plain with extra nutmeg.

It's like this thick creamy drink made out of milk and egg yolks, and spiced with Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and some like to put a shot of brandy or rum in it. I like it just plain with extra nutmeg.
It sounds interesting, I'd give it a try!  :)

It sounds interesting, I'd give it a try!  :)

I love it!! and you can only get it around this time of the year.. I wish I had some now.. It is quite fattening though :P

I love it!! and you can only get it around this time of the year.. I wish I had some now.. It is quite fattening though :P
Yeah it sounded it, which is why I'd give it a go.  ;D

Answer For Holiday Questionnaire: Hawk, the Slayer

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I enjoy both, but you can't spike hot chocolate successfully. ;)

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Presents wrapped, some by Santa, some by me...

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Apartment- white; tree- colored; Hawk- both. 

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  Naturally! It's only a poison if you somehow consume it!

5. When do you put your decorations up?  December School Vacation

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) Freshly candied yams, probably...or smoked turkey.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Inner-tubing in Lamoille Canyon, NV., 1982.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  Age 8; Mom told me.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Yes- usually sleepwear, or "naughty bits". ;)
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Lights, ornaments, tinsel, garland, and "cranberry" strands.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Hawk- Love It! Hawk's Wife- Dread It!
 
12. Can you ice skate?  Never tried, but since I can't roller skate, or rollerblade, why bother trying?

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Tickets to see The Tubes In Concert- Dec. 27, 2003.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  The spirit of goodwill, and peace.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Either pistachio pie, or "Chess" cake.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Reading Christmas stories. My favorite: "The Golden Cobwebs"
 
17. What tops your tree?  A fiber-optic angel.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Both, honestly.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  "Carol Of the Bells".

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Depends on the flavor.

I love the way this thread has become about drink!  ;D

I'm sad all you ladies are dissing beer, mind you the weak gnats p*ss you call beer in America is probably why !!



I like the Guinness. I've never tried anything else though, except the commercial shiznit they sell in America.

This effin survey was on Myspace...I AIN't DOIN it!! Bah humbug!!!

*shakes fist and runs away*

This effin survey was on Myspace...I AIN't DOIN it!! Bah humbug!!!

*shakes fist and runs away*



:P

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! You know the drill. Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    hot chocolate w/ Kahlua

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

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    yep

5. When do you put your decorations up?  AFTER Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.)  gotta be the turkey and dressing

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  sitting around the table with my grandparents and mom and aunt making tamales

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  at about 7 I saw dad bringing in all the gifts from the back porch when I was supposed to be sleeping!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  depends on where we are at, when at the Grands we open Christmas Eve to keep all the kids from exploding, when at home and it's just us we make them wait until Christmas morning
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  white lights and baked, home made ornaments that the wife and kiddos made

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  LOVE IT!... for like 20 minutes tops ;D
 
12. Can you ice skate?  yep

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  yes I do

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  being a family, from helping with food prep to going to church service, it's a wonderfull thing when a whole family can get together and enjoy each others company

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? CHOCOLATE PIE!!!!!!!
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  eating
 
17. What tops your tree?  a star

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?    ???  both

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Jingle Bells

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  blech! don't like em too much

This effin survey was on Myspace...I AIN't DOIN it!! Bah humbug!!!

*shakes fist and runs away*


I'm still debating on whether I should or not. :P

 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  I have TONS of ornaments.. that I've been collecting since I was a kid.. so my tree is covered with all kinds of ornaments.. and usually silver garland, and lots of colored lights. A quilted tree skirt beneath the tree.


So do I!  In fact, I have so many that I usually can't get them all on the tree and some have to wait until the following year!

Many of my ornaments were obtained on various travels that my family did while I was growing up.  :)

Answer For Holiday Questionnaire: Tanya1976

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, though I do enjoy Egg Nog

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  I grew up with them sitting under the tree; however, as a compromise to my hubby who accepted my tradition of an artificial tree, I wrap them now.

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?   No - I get plenty of kisses w/o any help, lol

5. When do you put your decorations up?   The day after Thanksgiving

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Getting the Barbie McDonald's playset, 1983

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  I caught my parents placing the gifts under the tree about six. I was cool about it since I never really believed in him anyway. I proceeded to inform each of my siblings as they got older, lol.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  nope
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Ornaments, colored garland, colored lights, a tree skirt, and an angel on top.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dreaded it when I lived back home in Philly; however, I miss it now since I'm living in ever sunny CA
 
12. Can you ice skate?  Yes

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  My favorite gift came on December 2, 1998 in the form of my little boy!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?   joy, peace, and love

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Gingerbread
   
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Getting a new pair of slippers each year
 
17. What tops your tree?  An African-American porcelein angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?   Both

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "This Christmas" Donny Hathaway and "Give Love on Christmas Day" Jackson 5

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Yummy, especially in my hot chocolate

Answer For Holiday Questionnaire: Tanya1976


7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Getting the Barbie McDonald's playset, 1983





I wanted that!  I had the McDonald's and Holiday Inn Weeble Wobble but they don't fall down set back in the 70s.

So do I!  In fact, I have so many that I usually can't get them all on the tree and some have to wait until the following year!

Many of my ornaments were obtained on various travels that my family did while I was growing up.  :)


Same here, about the ornaments. We have a 7 foot tree, and I have so many ornaments, that I can't put them all on. My godmother used to give us kids an ornament every year for Christmas, so I have all of those, from when I was a kid. Most are handmade or from craft shows. They are my favorites and they always go prominently at the front of the tree at eye level. I also love spun glass ornaments because they twinkle so much. I have gotten alot of ornaments at craft shows or have received them as gifts.. and if I go on a trip, I usually purchase either an ornament or a magnet. I'm weird like that! :P

I keep buying them in the january sales and then I have to find somewhere to keep them safe until I get the boxes down for the following christmas.

I keep buying them in the january sales and then I have to find somewhere to keep them safe until I get the boxes down for the following christmas.

Yep I've done that too, Or what's worse is buying them and putting them away and then never finding them again :P

Same here, about the ornaments. We have a 7 foot tree, and I have so many ornaments, that I can't put them all on. My godmother used to give us kids an ornament every year for Christmas, so I have all of those, from when I was a kid. Most are handmade or from craft shows. They are my favorites and they always go prominently at the front of the tree at eye level. I also love spun glass ornaments because they twinkle so much. I have gotten alot of ornaments at craft shows or have received them as gifts.. and if I go on a trip, I usually purchase either an ornament or a magnet. I'm weird like that! :P


That's not weird...I do the same thing!  ;)

That's not weird...I do the same thing!  ;)


I think I might be a little overboard. You should see my refrigerator. You can't even see the color of it , I have so many magnets :P . and at Christmas, my tree is the same way.. :P  But I like it that way. And many have complimented me on the tree before.

I think I might be a little overboard. You should see my refrigerator. You can't even see the color of it , I have so many magnets :P . and at Christmas, my tree is the same way.. :P  But I like it that way. And many have complimented me on the tree before.





That sounds like our refrigerator. Several years back, Carlos took me on my first trip to California. We stopped in Tulsa to visit some of my relatives. My sister (who used to work for the Disney Store) had a couple of tickets to Disneyland that were going to expire and she figured she wouldn't get to use them so she gave them to us. When we at Disneyland, I was buying gifts for people and I wanted to buy myself a little momento-not too expensive and not big. I saw a magnet that I knew that was it. That started it. Now, everywhere I go, I get magnets as a momento of the places I have been. I don't think I picked up any new ones on our last trip to Puerto Rico because I have so many from there.  :D ;D ;D  You can barely see our refridge under all of them.



Cat

I like the Guinness. I've never tried anything else though, except the commercial shiznit they sell in America.


Hawk's favorite beers/ales/lager, etc. are the following:

Newcastle Brown, Guiness, Tsing Tao, Bass, Red Wolf, Henry Weinhardt's Hazelnut Stout, and Leopard Lager, in that order.

That sounds like our refrigerator. Several years back, Carlos took me on my first trip to California. We stopped in Tulsa to visit some of my relatives. My sister (who used to work for the Disney Store) had a couple of tickets to Disneyland that were going to expire and she figured she wouldn't get to use them so she gave them to us. When we at Disneyland, I was buying gifts for people and I wanted to buy myself a little momento-not too expensive and not big. I saw a magnet that I knew that was it. That started it. Now, everywhere I go, I get magnets as a momento of the places I have been. I don't think I picked up any new ones on our last trip to Puerto Rico because I have so many from there.  :D ;D ;D  You can barely see our refridge under all of them.



Cat


I recently bought a magnet from Disneyland when I was last there in August. I thought it was a good,  inexpensive way to show I was there  :) I hope this isn't the beginning of another "collection" for me, too  ;D

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?      Hot Chocolate

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

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

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    No

5. When do you put your decorations up?    Weekend after Thanksgiving. 

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:    Going to Grandmas and playing games with cousins.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  When I was 8.  My step brother told me right before Christmas.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  Yes
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  I don't, my daughter does 

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?    Love it as long as I don't have to drive in it
 
12. Can you ice skate?    No

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?    Yeah, same thing every year.  Baseball tickets

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?    The celebration of Jesus' birth.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Pumpkin pie
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Going to mom's and just hanging out.
 
17. What tops your tree?    An angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?    Yum

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?    Hot Chocolate

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

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  Colo red

4. Do you hang mistletoe?    NO

5. When do you put your decorations up?  The weekend after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert.) the turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:  Santa Clause on our roof, hearing the reindeer and jingling bells, qand also the year I wanted a slot car racetrack and santa sent me 2 by mistake, so I had twice as much track to race on

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  what truth?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?  no
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? assorted ornaments collected over the years and lights and tinsel

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it and only see it when I choose to.
 
12. Can you ice skate?  yeah, but I'm not very good

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? yup, it was an electric guitar when I was 11

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? spending time with family & friends, and oh yeah. the food  :D

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? cookies, & pie
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My wife's family gathering includes family talent time, singing or instrument play or funny & serious short skits
 
17. What tops your tree? A multi-colored Star

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Come, All Ye Faithful

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?    Yum

I recently bought a magnet from Disneyland when I was last there in August. I thought it was a good,  inexpensive way to show I was there  :) I hope this isn't the beginning of another "collection" for me, too  ;D

that's how it always starts! :P

That sounds like our refrigerator. Several years back, Carlos took me on my first trip to California. We stopped in Tulsa to visit some of my relatives. My sister (who used to work for the Disney Store) had a couple of tickets to Disneyland that were going to expire and she figured she wouldn't get to use them so she gave them to us. When we at Disneyland, I was buying gifts for people and I wanted to buy myself a little momento-not too expensive and not big. I saw a magnet that I knew that was it. That started it. Now, everywhere I go, I get magnets as a momento of the places I have been. I don't think I picked up any new ones on our last trip to Puerto Rico because I have so many from there.  :D ;D ;D  You can barely see our refridge under all of them.



Cat



I think I might be a little overboard. You should see my refrigerator. You can't even see the color of it , I have so many magnets :P . and at Christmas, my tree is the same way.. :P  But I like it that way. And many have complimented me on the tree before.




I get magnets everywhere I go too!  And yes, my fridge is covered.  :)

Answer For Holiday Questionnaire: Hawk, the Slayer

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I enjoy both, but you can't spike hot chocolate successfully. ;)



I was just thinking about what would taste good in Hot Chocolate...maybe something like peppermint schnapps.  Sort of like a Peppermint Patty?  Never tried it though, could be pretty gross.  :D

I was just thinking about what would taste good in Hot Chocolate...maybe something like peppermint schnapps.  Sort of like a Peppermint Patty?  Never tried it though, could be pretty gross.  :D



Absolut Vanilla or Creme de Cacao would work in hot chocolate. 

Absolut Vanilla or Creme de Cacao would work in hot chocolate. 


Is that the brown or the white?

I was just thinking about what would taste good in Hot Chocolate...maybe something like peppermint schnapps.  Sort of like a Peppermint Patty?  Never tried it though, could be pretty gross.  :D


Kahlua is delicious in hot chocolate.

I like Guinness. That's as far as I'll go.


Good start.  If you like the sweetness and smoothness of stouts, I'd recommend you try a Murphy's Irish Stout or a Mackeson's XXX Stout.  Solid stouts, very much in the Guinness style. Those are my three favorite stouts, and all three are danged fine beers.

Going forward, you might want to try an Imperial Russian Stout from any of your local microbreweries -- warning, it's about twice the alcohol content of regular stouts, but it balances it with flavor and complexity.

Also in the stout vein, you might also dig an oatmeal stout or "chocolate" stout.  Samuel Smith should be widely available across the UK, Canada, and USA.

On the other end of the scale is ale.  Try anything from Stone Brewing.  Easy to find would be their Arrogant Bastard Ale, and the recently-released (seasonal, probably only available during November/December of any given year unless you're within driving distance of the brewery in Escondido near San Diego, CA) Double Bastard, and Oaked Arrogant Bastard. 

Either way -- and I say this as a guy who enjoys a good Pilsner every now and then -- you're on the right track with stouts.  Great beers, lots of flavor, minimal alcohol, the perfect beer to serve with a dish of beef or lamb... mmm...

To make a long story short, if the last beer you drank was called "Budweiser", "Miller", "Lite", "PBR", or even "Heineken", and if you think it tastes like the bathwater of a rhinoceros that's taken one too many dumps in the river Nile, you're right.  But you've been drinking stuff that isn't beer, and in so doing, you've been missing out on what beer can be. 

Find a local craft brewery.  Ask them about Belgian ales, Stouts, India Pale Ales, American Strong Ales... just about anything they brew will be better than what comes in a can.  Try a few different genres.  Find out what you enjoy.  (If there's nothing, that's OK too... try wine instead, but that's another thread).  Drink what you enjoy.

I've paid $10 for a 22 oz bottle of a beer I really wanted.
I've also turned down Budweiser when it was free.

Drink for the taste.  Not to get drunk.

Drinking American beer is like making love in a canoe.....













Shtupping close to water.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  wrap...with big huge bows.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  i use only gold/yellow

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  no

5. When do you put your decorations up?  about one week before xmas

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: thinkinga ll the presents were opened and going upstairs sad; then my grandpa called me and said there was one more and it was for me...and it was the teddy bear i wanted. (such a movie moment, but true!)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? when we woke up in bed together.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? yes- most of them, actually.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? gold lights, red and white birds and red ribbons.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? love it

12. Can you ice skate?  no

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  see number 7

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  seeing people happy 

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  krumkake  (norwegian cone cookies)
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? baking

17. What tops your tree? a dove

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  receiving...but i love getting someone jsut the right thing. 

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? i'll be home for christmas

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  yum!!!

Finally I get to answer this!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  I'll take either!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  Neither. He doesn't visit our place. But we do both.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  On tree, mostly white. On house, colored.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?  No.

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Usually the second weekend of December. That's when we start.

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

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Christmas 1989: our Dusty dog stealing my cannoli while I was busy with my baseball cards.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  I don't remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Not really.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With ornaments and lights.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  We don't have it where we live...but I loved it when we had some on Ash Wednesday of 1989.

12. Can you ice skate?  No, but I can rollerskate. However, I haven't done that in nearly ten years.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  No, not really. I had so many favourite gifts over the years it's hard to pick out just one!!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being together as a family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Pie.
 
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Having a gathering with my mom's mom's family on Christmas Eve. However, we couldn't do one last year because one family member moved away.

17. What tops your tree? Angel.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or Receiving?  Giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  In the serious sense, any one that's spiritual. However I like the funny Christmas-themed songs!

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?  Yuck...unless they're a special flavor.

Peppermint Schnapps in Hot Chocolate is good. It's my husband's favorite thermos drink when he goes skiing.  Amaretto in Hot Chocolate is pretty good too. 

Amaretto in Hot Chocolate is pretty good too. 



yes it is...it's really good in coffee, as well.

yes it is...it's really good in coffee, as well.

ooh, I've nevered tried it in coffee. If I'm drinking a coffee drink, it's usually Bailey's or Kahlua. I'll have to give it a shot sometime. :) (no pun intended)

ooh, I've nevered tried it in coffee. If I'm drinking a coffee drink, it's usually Bailey's or Kahlua. I'll have to give it a shot sometime. :) (no pun intended)



ya, it's really yummy! I used to drink a cup of it after work, to calm my nerves! LOL!  Yes, Kahlua is really good in coffee as well. :)

Bailey's is OK.

Emmet's is better.

Saint Brandan's is the best.