Early Christmas

One of my Christmas traditions is to have an early Christmas at my parents house. This tradition started when I complained about never actually opening any gifts at my own house because we always spent Christmas in Rifle with my grandparents. This is nice because I get to have 2 Christmases. So on Saturday, my parents, Ben and I had our early Christmas together.

First we piled in the car together to drive to Bountiful to pick out my big gift. A brand new shiny bike.



Then we kind of regretted only taking one car, because there was no way to fold the seat down and have room for the bike and the four of us. But with some clever maneuvering and the use of some cloth grocery bags, we were able to get the bike home without scratching up the car and without having the bike fall out somewhere on the highway.

I love my new bike and can't wait for the snow to melt so I can ride the crap out of it. It was such a flashback to my childhood, having my parents take me to the store to pick out a bicycle. :)

Otherwise, I was very eager to give Ben his present. I got him a personalized jersey for his favorite soccer team.



All in all, it was a great early Christmas. Now we just have to hope for good weather so we can make it to Rifle to visit my grandparents for real Christmas. I hope you all have a great holiday!

Christmas Questions

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I have always enjoyed wrapping presents. I used to have to do gift wrapping at Cracker Barrel, and I learned some tricks that make wrapping even easier and better looking.

2. Real tree or artificial?
I think prefer artificial. We have a little fake tree and I'm fine with that. I never really liked the mess and smell that comes from real trees.

3. When do you put up the tree?
This year we put it up the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We don't really have a set time, just whenever we get around to it.

4. When do you take the tree down?
once again, whenever we get around to it.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Yeah sure, don't drink it very often.

6. Favorite gifts received as a child?
I remember one year Santa left me a Barbie house in the garage, it was totally unexpected. Also, when I got my Molly doll, that was a very good Christmas.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My Dad because he doesn't really have any hobbies and he doesn't listen to music.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My Mom, because I can usually get her something I would like and it's pretty safe.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
My parents do, and I still love putting it up. It's Precious Moments.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
E-mail seems so chintzy. I think this is the one time where e-mail won't cut it.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I can't think of anything truly horrendous, but my grandma sometimes would give me this awful gold costume jewelry and Charlie perfume.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf, Muppet's Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
This year I started mid-November.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No, I recycle the boxes they come in though.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I'd have to second Bex and say cheese and crackers, but also pie, because I really don't eat pie the rest of the year.

16. Lights on the tree?
Of course.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Angels we Have Heard on High, Little Drummer Boy

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I always end up traveling.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
From the poem? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen. And then Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We bought a really cute star last year. My parents have an angel on theirs.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
When I was little I complained that I never got to have Christmas at my own house. So we started a tradition of opening presents a few days early at my parents house, just the ones between me and my parents. Then we open the rest on Xmas morning at my grandparents house.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
How rude everyone is when they're out shopping.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I like ice colors- whites and silvers and blues.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Honey baked ham.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
The one big thing I want is a new bike.