Tag, I’m It: A Christmas Survey

I’ve been tagged by Amy at The House of Seven Tails! I don’t usually participate in this sort of thing, but on the day before Christmas, who wants to read a book review anyway? So here it goes!

When do you usually know and feel that it’s finally the holidays?
Just before Thanksgiving, when I start to get excited about going home to my parents’ house for the holiday. From then on, it’s Christmas music and decorations and baking and holiday excitement!

What do you want for Christmas this year?
Under the tree, a Sony Reader!

Do you go all out with decorations?
Not yet. Some day, when I have the money to buy and space to store exciting decorations, I’m sure I’ll do more! For now, a few lights and my baby Christmas tree are it.

 

What are you doing Christmas Eve?
Hanging out with my family, most likely wrapping last-minute gifts, watching whatever Christmas movies happen to be on TV.

What are you doing Christmas Day?
We get up a lot later than we used to, but we still open presents together first thing in the morning. That’s followed by breakfast and cleaning up the paper, then we spend the day playing with whatever we got! Usually someone got a DVD (or several) that we’ll watch, and we’ll all start digging into our new books.

It’s Christmas time. What are you reading?
I don’t get much reading done when I’m at my parents’ house with my three siblings, but I’m ambitious this year! I’ve got several galleys due in January that are coming home with me, along with my book group’s selection for January (Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri) and a couple of others. I might get through one of those!

As for actual holiday reading, I read Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan and listened to A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens earlier this month.

Favorite movie to watch during the holidays?
“A Christmas Story” is the favorite in my house. I really enjoy “Home Alone” as well. I finally saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time a few years ago, and I quite like that one as well.

Favorite Christmas song?
Only one? Yeah, right! This Christmas I’ve been listening to albums by Sarah McLachlan, Straight No Chaser (a cappella), Martha Gallagher (Celtic harp) and Mindy Smith.

Favorite holiday drink?
Hot mead! My father and I discovered it at a Renaissance festival years ago and loved it, so we’ve sought it out at the holidays since. This year I might take a stab at making spiced wine as well.

How is your Christmas shopping going?
I was done, with everything wrapped, by Tuesday. Don’t be too impressed; it’s the first year that’s happened!

If you could spend Christmas Day anywhere else, where would you spend it?
Honestly? I wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere but at my parents’ house, with my family, exactly where I’m going to be. I’m a creature of habit!

Any holiday traditions?
Not explicitly. There’s a certain rhythm to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that feels the same each year. It used to be we’d all stay in our pajamas all day on the 25th, but that doesn’t always happen any more.

Favorite thing about the holidays?
Pretty much everything. I love Christmas music, driving around to see all the lights, getting holiday cards (though I didn’t get them out myself this year), baking, wrapping gifts, and–most of all–being home with my whole family!

I’m not going to tag anyone, since it’s Christmas Eve, but I’d love to hear your answers to any (or all) of these questions! Merry Christmas, everyone!