But the Saxons were keeping Christmas, and the night was stormy as well

[venta]

Stolen from ulfilias, getting my good cheer in early.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Paper, gift bags feel like cheating. Except for bottles.

When I was younger and had more time around Christmas, I used to make a big deal of decking presents out with lots of ribbon, and things like painted fircones. I'd like to do that again, really.

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Real ones, every time. I don't think I've ever been in a house that put up an artificial tree. They don't smell right.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Christmas Eve. Although the year the house I shared with leathellin and quisalan had a tree, we put it up earlier since we were all departing to the four corners of the country before Christmas Eve.

4. When do you take the tree down?

Twelfth night, of course. Do you want the goblins to get me ?

5. Do you like eggnog?

I think so. I'm not 100% sure I've ever had it. It's like a posset-y thing with rum in, right ?

6. Favourite gift received as a child?

Ooh, I dunno. I'm not sure any one gift really stands out. I remember the year I got a dolls' house as pretty exciting though. My parents baulked at wrapping it, so it was just sitting as-is waiting for me - the parents report that I asked whether it was for me. As the only child in the house, this was a fairly dim question :)

7. Hardest person to buy for?

T'other half. He's a chap of few wants.

8. Easiest person to buy for?

My mum, I think. Though possibly she, being a mum, is much better at pretending to like things she hates so my belief that she's easy to buy nice things for is erroneous.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Technically I don't, but the family home does. When I was little it was painted plaster figures made by my cousin. These days it's rather sophisticated stylised wood figures bought from the wonderful Once A Tree in Gloucester Green, now sadly defunct.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Real paper ones through the real post. I'm aware that email would be more environmentally sound, but it just feels like cheating. I have to admit to feeling slightly cheated if I get an e-card instead of a real one.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I don't think I've had any real ghastlies. And I doubt I'd write about my less-than-favourites on here, for fear the donor saw and was hurt (however unlikely that might actually be).

12. Favourite Christmas Movie?

Do you get movies at Christmas ? They mostly pass me by. Favourite Christmas book now... The Father Christmas Letters, by JRR Tolkien.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

The January sales, often. Not specifically, but if I see something at any point throughout the year I'll buy it and hide it away until relevant.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

I should think so. I really don't see anything wrong with doing so, and would encourage people to recycle any unwanted gifts from me.

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas?

Christmas dinner, with trimmings. Also Boxing Day fry-up, and post-Boxing day ham-and-turkey pie. All Christmas food which doesn't involve mincemeat is brilliant.

16. Lights on the tree?

Whatever the hell you want on the tree. Sod themes.

17. Favourite Christmas song?

Bethlehem Down, by Peter Warlock or Father Christmas Believes In Me by Baxendale. Sample quote from the former "When He is King we will give Him the Kings' gifts, Myrrh for its sweetness, and gold for a crown". Sample quote from the latter "I sold cigarettes to the six-year-olds and flick-knives to the under-fives".

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Both! I travel in order to be in the place I consider home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Yup. There are eight and I can name nine.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Star, please. I don't think shoving trees up the arses of the sons of the morning is appropriate.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Morning, in a very sedate manner. Makes the fun last longer :)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Shops playing Frosty the Snowman and the like on a loop. In November. It's a wonder the staff don't all go postal.

23. Favourite ornament theme or colour?

I'm not sure I have one. I've seen some really nice bronze-coloured decorations in the shops this year, though.

24. Favourite memory of Christmas?

See every post I've ever posted about Christmas - I'm a Xmasphile, and have masses of great memories. Best memory of recent years is getting a very over-excited phonecall from ChrisC when he'd opened his present from me.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Surprise presents :) My family all issue Christmas wish-lists, but I hate to know what I'm getting.

Comments

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

I always thought that was a strange name for that shop: it sounds a bit like gloating. "Not any more!"

[venta.livejournal.com]

I never thought of it like that, but I see what you mean!

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

They did have some very nice stuff though, tree-haters or no.

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

Last year I got a joke book which was just the most offensive thing in the world. I couldn't give it to a charity shop in case anybody read it; in the end I used it for kindling in the fire ;) and everybody who came round and said "you can't burn a book!" read a page and threw it disgustedly into the fire.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I have on occasion given people books I haven't read myself. I try not to do it any more as, unless I know it was something they definitely wanted, I end up in a state of panic that the book will turn out to be rubbish.

[sushidog.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine had as a sig file for a while "I'm told it's wrong to burn books. So we took it out back and shot it instead".
This apparently referred to a real incident involving an L Ron Hubbard tome and a crossbow.

[ulfilias.livejournal.com]

OOoh....sounds top - But then i like bad and rude jokes !

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Christmas Eve. Although the year the house I shared with leathellin and quisalan had a tree, we put it up earlier since we were all departing to the four corners of the country before Christmas Eve.

Do you do a Little Horrors tree?

[stegzy.livejournal.com]

I like Bethlehem Down too. It's a bugger to sing though.

[leathellin.livejournal.com]

Although the year the house I shared with leathellin and quisalan had a tree, we put it up earlier since we were all departing to the four corners of the country before Christmas Eve.

That's the tree which was called Foster because it was propped into a vaguely vertical position with Andy's Fosters cans. Those were the days :-)

[hjalfi.livejournal.com]

We have a tradition where on Christmas morning we (a) get up, (b) go to church, (c) come home, (d) have lunch, (e) WASH UP, (f) have a cup of tea, and then only at (g) do we open the presents.

And, even more important than the washing up: the youngest member of the family hands around the presents, one at a time, so that each person gets one. Then they all get opened and duly admired. Then we go on to the next round.

I'm impatiently waiting for my nephew to grow up enough to take over. It's been my turn for thirty bloody years.

[ar-gemlad.livejournal.com]

Sounds like my in-laws. Presents get opened after the Queen's speech. First year I was there, it felt like so long to wait (even though I'm not a kid any more!) - but now I quite like the tradition. Glad I didn't have it as a child though!

[ulfilias.livejournal.com]

Do you want the goblins to get me ?


Is this retorical ???

And which Golbins exactly ? - Do you want David Bowie wished upon you ???

[broadmeadow.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever been in a house that put up an artificial tree.

Technically you have, because you've been in my house and we put up an artificial tree. Although, to be fair, you haven't been in my house while the artificial tree was actually up.

In mitigation, I should add that we do also put up a real tree. And four artificial ones. We like Christmas.