Christmas Meme

This time of year I feel like I don't have anything to write about, yet life is really busy. Go figure! I was looking back at what I had written last year (trying not to repeat myself) and was reminded of this meme. I did a Google search of Christmas Memes and selected questions from several sites that I thought were different and interesting. You may or may not like memes but in their own way they do help you get to know someone better, right?!?

Decorations outside? We have wreaths on all the windows and front door, and lighted garland and small trees in urns surrounding the front door.


Real or artificial tree? We have an artificial tree for two reasons:
1) we have to decorate before Thanksgiving because we always host the BSU Christmas Party the Tuesday after
2) we have allergies and I am not willing to chance it.


Tree topper: star, angel, something else? Currently our tree is topped with a star but we have used an angel some years.

Wrapping paper or bags? I always wrap if possible!

Favorite Christmas movie? Two movies make the list: Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas and Elf.


Do you read the Christmas story? Yes

Do you display a Nativity scene? I have a Fontanini set that I continue to collect and a wood carved set bought during a mission trip to Guatemala.



Stocking before or after presents? Santa fills our stockings so they get "opened" at the end of Santa.

Do you like receiving Christmas letters/photos? Absolutely! One of my favorite things about Christmas. My mom has a friend from college that always wrote lots of details about her kids lives and every year I LOVED to read her letters!

Do you take pictures with Santa? With my children being deathly afraid of mascots, pictures with Santa are hit and miss. Some years we try it and others we don't.

(Myself with Santa, 5 years old - December 1980)

(Wes with Santa, 14 months old - December 2003)

[Ann Elise (almost 4), Bankston Hays (13 months), and Wes (6) with Santa - December 2006]

Does Santa get a plate? For sure! This may sound strange to some of you, but it was one thing that kept the "Santa secret" going strong for us Carters - my mom would put one of her gray hairs near the plate and we would always squeal because we thought it was from Santa's beard! HA!

Do you enjoy Christmas shopping? Not at all. Totally stressful!

Favorite holiday smell? cookies baking

Warm fire or sleigh ride? I'd take both...and on the same night :)

Snowball fight or snowman? Probably snowman

[Wes (5) and Ann Elise (almost 3), December 2007]

What do you do on a snow day? Like to get up and watch it fall, drink a big cup of coffee, lounge in my pjs, get layered up and talk a walk/play outside, come in and sit by the fire and thaw out, play games as a family, watch a movie, etc.

[Bankston Hays (13 months) and myself - December 2008]

(Ann Elise, Kris, and Wes - December 2007)