Merry, Merry Christmas

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Not a big fan of egg-based drinks. Nothing beats hot cocoa on a cold night in front of the fire.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Well, the elves wrap the presents. Santa places them under the tree.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I'm old school - white lights that don't blink.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No pity kisses in the Massey household.
5. When do you put your decorations up? The first week of December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? All dishes are prelude to the dessert.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Driving all night to Colorado; seeing Grandma's porch light from down the street and knowing we were finally there; playing basketball at the park down the street; watching Flash Gordon and Video Jukebox in Grandma's basement only to have Uncles Bo, Mike, and Rick change the channel to their fishing shows.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I have no idea how or when I learned.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes - that's Melissa's mother's tradition.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I set the tree up. Melissa arranges the limbs. I put on the lights. Melissa attaches the hangers to the ornaments. We put up the ornaments together and Melissa re-arranges the ornaments I've put up. I do the tree skirt.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, although I haven't done it in many, many years.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think my Phantom of the Opera discs remain my favorite.
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Remembering to have fun amid all the chaos.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Listening to Bing and Frank.
17. What tops your tree? An angel.
18. Which do you prefer - giving or receiving gifts? They are equally enjoyable.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I absolutely love Christmas music. My favorites include the obvious: White Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, and I'll Be Home for Christsmas. However, there is perhaps no more beautiful a song than Ave Maria. It is simultaneously optimistic and melancholy and always puts me in contemplative mood. Plus, it's in Latin, which is always nice.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I enjoy peppermint for about 30 seconds before the taste is too much. Although, I still enjoy sucking the end of the cane down to a fine point and poking people with it.