A Christmas Survey

Hi friends, just popping in for some low-key Christmas fun (in case anyone is bored enough to even bother reading blogs over Christmas – haha! – but I know I probably will!)  Sometimes, I just love reading fun surveys learning some randoms things about each other that way. I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas weekend.

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Yes! We usually do Christmas the German way and that means Christmas Eve is the day for a fancy Christmas dinner and opening the presents. Christmas Day is for relaxing, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate.

Run on Christmas morning or take the day off?

No running on Christmas morning. Christmas Day is a day to stay cozy (but I ran on the 2nd Christmas Day – which totally is a thing in Germany. The 26th is an official holiday and who could argue with a 2nd Christmas Day, am I right? I was lucky to get today off as well and I took advantage of it).

What do you usually eat on Christmas morning?

We don’t have a traditional Christmas morning breakfast.

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

It’s fake.  Our previous apartment was so tiny that we didn’t really have space for a tree, but since I still wanted one, we got a small fake tree that we cut put up on the sideboard. I really wanted to get a real tree this year, because we do have a bit more space now, but Christmas kind of snuck up on me and then we decided to just use the little fake tree for another year. I think it actually looks quite nice and not necessarily fake, if you look at it from far enough away… haha. 

Do you like tinsel?

No. Never have.

What is on top of your tree?

A small straw star.

Favorite holiday or Christmas tradition?

Christmas Eve with everybody at my parents’ house. We would have a fancy Christmas dinner (cooked mostly by my Dad) and we would listen to “kölsche Weihnacht” (Christmas music) and open the presents one by one for everybody to see and admire.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

There is no way I can just pick one! One of my favorite-favorites is The Holiday, but also Love Actually, Elf, It’s a wonderful life, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, A Fitzgerald Family Christmas, and Home Alone.
 Who is your favorite character from any Christmas movie?

Oh, hard to say… there are so many. I love Buddy the Elf, of course, and Clark Griswold is just so excited about Christmas. I can relate to that.. haha.
 Christmas pajamas… yay or nay?

The whole thing with Christmas PJs is not a thing in Germany, so I never had one…. But part of me likes the idea.

Do you like eggnog or cider?

Both! :)

Red or Green?

Red

Food that you always have during the holiday season?

After Eight, Speculoos, Spritzgebäck (spritz cookies?).

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Mostly wrapping paper – but sometimes, when I have odd-shaped gifts, I prefer pretty gift bags!

Do you drive around and look at Christmas lights?

Usually yes. I love looking at Christmas decorations!

Do you put Christmas lights on the outside of your house?

Not really, but I want to. I only put out a small string of lights on the little bush next to our entrance door this year, because I had one (with solar panel) sitting around in my closet…. But next year, I’d like to get more lights (only white lights, though. I find the colorful string lights kinda tacky ;)).

Do you hang up a stocking?

Only teeny-tiny ones for decoration. I’d love to get J and I some stockings, though.

Where do you usually spend your holiday?

Usually we would spend it with family in Germany, but we were at home by ourselves for the third year in a row this weekend and it was quiet and cozy.

What is your favorite Christmas Album/CD/Song??

NKOTB’s Christmas Album, obviously.

Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

Both.  I love giving gifts for Christmas. It’s never about the monetary value, but picking something out that I know someone else will enjoy. Of course, I also love getting gifts in return. As much as I like the idea of a “gift-free” Christmas (and I would totally go for that if I could see family and friends instead), I also really love finding little gifts for people.

When do you start getting excited about Christmas?

In the middle of summer? Haha. No, but I probably get seriously into a Christmas mood around the first Sunday of Advent.

I hope you enjoyed learning some more about our Christmas, and feel free to share some Christmas facts from your family with me! I’d love to hear! Hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend!