Blessings of the season to all my friends hither and yon

I have stuff to do over the next little while, so I flagrantly purloined this from Jazz who lifted it (for much the same reason as I did) from A Little Off Kilter. Thank you, ladies. No wonder I hold you both in such high esteem.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I’m a guy. Guys don’t gift-wrap. At least they don’t gift wrap in a manner that suggests some sort of esthetic grace. So, gift bags for sure. Actually, this year we are going ‘green’ since I heard that gift wrap does not break down nicely. So, we’re using newspaper. Aren’t you proud of us? Me, I just got a letter from Al Gore praising me.

2. Real tree or artificial?I love real trees, but a few years ago we opted for a smallish artificial one and I’ve never really regretting the decision. Less mess and it looks fine.

3. When do you put up the tree? About a week before the 25th. And keep it up until Jan. 2nd.

4. When do you take the tree down? Oops, just answered that one.

5. Do you like eggnog? I don’t mind it, but the commercial stuff compares not at all with good homemade. My Aunt Freda made the finest eggnog on the planet, all with whipped-cream and other artery clogging substances just designed as a gift for family members who felt their cholesterol count was too low.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? For Christmas when I was 5 I asked Santa to bring me a windup paddlewheeler and a flashlight. I have no idea why. Yet, I still remember those specific gifts. I also remember I was sick for the kindergarten Christmas party that same year so Santa came by – in full regalia – driving a Chev. No sleigh at all. That was disappointing.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Wendywendywendywendy. Not that she’s pernickety, I just know that she is a woman of strong tastes in certain directions and I hate to disappoint.

8. Easiest person to buy for? In past context, my ex, Trudy. Anything girly and outrageously expensive worked for her.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail to friends far away. Email or nothing for close-at-hand. I still like getting cards.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? There have been some that I haven’t cared for all that much, or that I didn’t really like at the time. My stolidly and hypocritical Presbyterian paternal grandmother was great on religious treatises like a Bible, prayer book, etc. Charmed me little. Yet now I rather value having them.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The 1950 British film of A Christmas Carol (called Scrooge in the UK) staring the inimitable Alastair Sim as the old Christmas curmudgeon himself. Nobody was ever better in the role, and it has been a must for me every Christmas since I was about 10. I also like (but am tired of) It’s a Wonderful Life. I do a killer Lionel Barrymore impression from that film. There is also a British film called The Holly and the Ivy which concerns a Christmas gathering of dysfunctional adult children. It’s kind of grim in essence, but ultimately a strong message comes through. And, A Christmas Story especially for Darren McGavin.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As close to the day as I can get away with. Like most males I detest Christmas shopping, the crowds, the acquisitive stupidity and so forth. It holds no pleasure for me.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I recall..

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Not turkey, which I think is highly overrated and nasty to digest. Last year we did prime rib, which was heavenly. As a nod to the francophone side of this country, I love tourtiere. And Wendy makes a killer crème brulee, which I begin to anticipate in about October. And, if I have been to Hawaii the previous year I always bring back a can of Ed and Don’s macadamia nut brittle which I save for Christmas.

16. Lights on the tree? Of course. A combo of little fairy lights and some more recent small LED lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I am so tired of Christmas songs by this point that I am almost ready to puke if I hear another. Traditionally, though I like the classical Christmas carols by the Kings College Choir of Cambridge, or some other wonderful choir and a mammoth pipe organ must provide the music or it’s no good. Otherwise, I like Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock, der Bingle’s White Christmas, the Pogues’ Fairytale of New York (featuring the heavenly and adored voice of sadly lamented and loved Kirsty MacColl), and Elvis’s Blue Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Would kill to be away at Christmas. Someplace warm where Christmas is not a big deal. Family gatherings out-of-town? Not so much. Now that Wendy and I are both orphans we don’t need to do that any more.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Of course I can, but I’m not going to bother. But, let’s get one thing straight. I saw one of them in an advertisement referred to as ‘Donner’. It’s DonDer, folks. Buncha morons, I tell ya.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? An old Father Christmas kind of guy with a long white beard and golden robe.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning, always. My ex was Swedish and they did it Christmas Eve. I thought that sucked because it made Christmas morning an anti-climax. Mind you, life with her was kind of an anti-climax anyway, but enough about that.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Virtually everything I can think of except for the things I like, which I have already indicated. Yet, I long for Jan. 2 so that all the nonsense will be over.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Some things we’ve picked up on our travels. Otherwise, they don’t excite me too much. Wendy has a snowman kind of home craft thing that I utterly detest. But, it gets trotted out regardless each and every year. That’s OK. Wouldn’t be Christmas without that ugly bit of crap.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Virtually anything but turkey, as I have indicated. I must confess, though, that I love turkey sandwiches and turkey soup. This year we are doing Cornish game hens. And I already mentioned the crème brulee.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Survival. Except for that, we both have pretty much all that we need, and considering the bleak existences of some, we have way more than we need, or even want. I do try to share, but probably don’t devote enough time to so doing.

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hanukkah to all my blogger friends wherever you might be. Follow your hearts and have a blessed season.