A Very Merry Christmas Survey!

Grace @ Rebel Book Mommy did this tag and I knew I had to do it because a) I want to be just like her and b) I am totally in the holiday spirit and want to spread some holiday cheer!

Favorite Christmas Song(s) - This question is so hard! I love Deck the Rooftop on the Glee Christmas album and I also love the entire Straight No Chaser Christmas album. Their song, The Christmas Can-Can is pretty awesome and is one of my favorites.

Favorite Christmas Movie(s) - Elf, hands down. I also love Home Alone.

Rudolph, Frosty, the Grinch or Charlie Brown? This is a tough one, but I think I will go with the Grinch. I know it's corny, but I always tear up when the Grinch's heart grows and returns all the presents.

Best and/or most memorable Christmas gift you have ever received - The first Christmas my husband and I were together, he gave me a necklace from Tiffany's. We have been together for more than ten years (married for eight) and it still means a lot to me. Besides my wedding ring, it's the only piece of jewelry I wear all the time.

Real tree or artificial tree? Real!

What tops your tree? Star? Angel? Bow? - Right now, we don't have a tree. I know, I know, crazy. But since we had so many trips planned for the month of December, it didn't make sense. But when we do have a tree, we put a star on top.

Do you send out Christmas cards? No

When did you stop believing in Santa? I was in sixth grade. I remember it to this day because it was so traumatic. And a teacher was the one who ruined it for me. Then I had to be a brat and spoil it for my sister.

Do you have any special Christmastime traditions? - Mostly, we go to my family's house and we spend Christmas Eve making cookies with my mom and my niece and nephew.

I also take my niece and nephew to see Christmas lights every year. This year, my husband and I are going to Vienna for Christmas and it will be the first Christmas in a really long time that I won't be there. That feels a little weird.

Do you have a favorite type of decoration - snowmen, trees, Christmas village, etc? - I love all decorations: snowmen, trees, ribbons, balls . . . I just love every part of it. But I probably enjoy looking at Christmas lights more than anything.

Do you have any sentimental decorations or ornaments? Since moving to Italy, my husband and I have started a collection of ornaments from the different cities we have visited. By the time we leave, I can imagine we will have enough ornaments to fill an entire tree. I love all the memories associated with each one.

White lights or colored lights? Big old fashioned lights or mini lights? - Definitely the mini white lights. I think it looks more elegant.

When do you start decorating for Christmas? - When we have a tree, we would typically put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Favorite Christmas treat - Christmas cookies and hot chocolate! Also, I adore the Ghirardelli holiday chocolate assortment. The eggnog flavor is okay, but the peppermint bark and pumpkin spice flavors are where it's at.

Do you like sugar cookies? Gingerbread cookies? Yes and YES! I do think that gingerbread cookies are my favorite. I have had such a craving for gingerbread. I bought some at a Christmas market in Germany a few weeks ago. It was good, but not as good as the homemade American-style gingerbread cookies I am used to.

Do you have cocoa or hot chocolate? Do you like your warm chocolate-y beverage with marshmallows? - I'm with Grace. I don't really know the difference . . . unless cocoa is the fake powdered stuff. Either way, I love them both. But this year, I am really looking forward to going to this cafe in Vienna for a Sacher torte and hot chocolate. It is delicious and the hot chocolate is the REAL deal. As for marshmallows, I am not a huge fan.

What do you eat at your Christmas feast? - Typically, my uncle would make steak for our Christmas Eve dinner and then my dad makes some type of barbecue Christmas Day. This year, we will probably have schnitzel since we'll be in Austria.

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve or do you wait until Christmas morning? - Christmas morning for sure.

Favorite Christmas-y scent? - Christmas cookies

If you could ask Santa for any gift this year — and know that he’d bring it — what would it be? - Mmm, an Amazon gift card and maybe a private jet with unlimited fuel? Yeah, I know I'm dreaming big but this is a fantasy, right? 

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays! And Happy Festivus!

So let's discuss. What are a few of your favorite Christmas traditions? What is your favorite Christmas movie? Favorite Christmas song?