2017: when I was all out of original ideas, motivation, and creativity. Chrissy posted and answered these Christmas questions last weekend and I quickly copied the idea.
Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper with satin ribbon.
Real tree or artificial? Artificial. In theory I’d like a real tree but it seems completely impractical.
When do you put up the tree? Last weekend in November or first weekend in December.
When do you take the tree down? After the Epiphany in January. My grandma is a super religious Italian and taught us about Epiphany and the only thing I took away from it was that it’s cool to keep all your pretty decorations up through the first week of January.
Do you like eggnog? Oh. My. God. NO!
Favorite gift received as a child? I’m not sure. Way back in 1982/83 Cabbage Patch dolls were all the rage and impossible to get. My Mom’s sister was gifted one (a girl doll) when pregnant with my cousin who ended up being a boy so she gave it to me for my first Christmas. I loved that Cabbage Patch SO MUCH.
Do you have a nativity scene? I have my Mom’s but have no intention of putting it out.
Hardest person to buy for? Easiest person to buy for? Depending on if I have a good idea or not, the answer to both is sister.
Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail. Always. People need to know they are remembered and loved and Christmas is the perfect time for that. And look, maybe someone will take offense to this, but I’m gonna say it anyway, just sending a family photo that was printed and shipped from a warehouse with no additional heartfelt message or a card that just says “Merry Christmas” inside doesn’t feel special. Make people feel special. I have 3 social media accounts, I know what your kid(s) look like, so why are you paying SO MUCH to print and send cards if you aren’t saying something heartfelt, too?
Favorite Christmas Movie? Muppet Family Christmas (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE but also invokes a little Christmas PTSD) and Sound of Music (which isn’t Christmassy at all, but is a Christmas Eve tradition) and The Holiday (it is so unbelievable but fantastic).
When do you start shopping for Christmas? I pick up something at any time of the year if I see a perfect gift, but I do 90% of my Christmas shopping (online) on Black Friday.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I have traded things with Laura when Mom puts our stuff in the wrong stocking, but I don’t think I have given something to someone else.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pierogies on Christmas Eve. Christmas bread on Christmas morning.
Clear lights or colored on the tree? White. I HATE coloured lights.
Favorite Christmas song? Blue Christmas by Elvis. (ps: here’s a Christmas Spotify playlist I made a few years ago)
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel. I would much rather stay at home but I only have 1 (double) guest bed and a table that seats 2.
Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither.
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning.
Most annoying thing about this time of year? Grinchy me says everything. It’s so happy and there is all this pressure to be perfect and have a loving family and be able to cook and have enough money for gifts.
What I love most about Christmas? Lovely me says everything. There’s hope and twinkle lights everywhere.
smitten 
pieorgi!! i can’t wait to make them with you.
i learned that the Buffana brings walnuts and oranges.
She can keep her impossible to open nuts and canker inducing oranges; I’m happy with just keeping my tree up.