16 posts tagged “christmas”
How are you spending Christmas Day?
Today's been a rather busy day and it's only half over. I had dim-sum (brunch) with my mom's side of the family this morning. After a hearty brunch with endless amounts of food, we went over to my grandma's where the family gathered for some chatting. My cousin, Verona, just came back from Oxford for a Christmas visit and will fly by next week in time for school. Mom bought her a jacket for Christmas, figuring that she'll need it while in England. Tonight, I'm attending a party at my cousin's house (Dad's side of the family). It should be a rather quiet evening as the university-aged cousins are away on vacation, leaving only the adults, and two youngsters.
Finally! I've been dying to get this DVD for ages so I can start cardio exercising. This will be my new goal for the year... more exercise! I'm hoping that this will be fun unlike some of the other tapes out there which is just plain boring.
Christmas Meme from northerngeek.
Directions: Change all the answers so they apply to you. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags because it's easy and environmentally friendly. Your recipient can re-use the gift bag.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial because it's safer and again, more environmentally friendly. But since we don't have a tree anymore, I guess it's moot point.
3. When do you put up the tree? It used to be whenever I could find time around my school schedule. When I was in university, it was always after classes were over. Now, there's no tree.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually right before school starts, or the first week of January.
5. Do you like eggnog? No. It tastes funny.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A Super Nintendo.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Nope.
8. Hardest person to buy for? People I have to be a Secret Santa for that I don't know particularly well.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My cousin Clinton. He tells me what to buy and vice-versa.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? There really hasn't been a gift that I don't like.
11. Mail or email Christmas card? Both. It depends on my time. In the last few years, I"ve had to email because I simply have no time.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? I don't have any in particular. I watch a lot of movies, Xmas ones included.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever I have time in December. Again, it is all dependent on my schedule. This year, I started a week or so ago, merely by accident. I really wasn't planning on shopping until this Friday.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, if I believe someone else will enjoy the present more than me. But in those cases, I usually add a little something else to the present.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Dessert!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "This Gift" by 98 Degrees. I just can't help but love a ballad.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? I've always been home for Xmas, even the year we went to Disneyland after Xmas. It's such a family time t hat I can't really see it otherwise. That being said, I'd love to be able to go on a holiday.
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Not anymore.
20. Do you have an angel on top or a star? Star/
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We used to do it on Boxing Day because we always had a Christmas Party w/ close family friends and family on Christmas Day. When we don't have a party (or attend one) on Christmas Day, we open it on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Too many people in the malls making it hard to find parking.
How is this December different from last year?
Well, last year I was only working part-time and really enjoying my time off. This year has been much more stressful as I'm working full-time and trying to juggle all sorts of events, parties and Christmas shopping. Yes, I'll admit it. I've barely started and I don't know how I'll manage to get it done in time before Christmas. I don't even know what to get people this year. Arg!
I miss going to the symphony. As a child, I went to the symphony quite a bit, thanks to a family friend. She had season passes, and would take me every so often. We also went regularly for Christmas to list to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play traditional Christmas songs. That's what I miss the most. In previous years, I didn't go because a) I didn't want to go alone and b) I couldn't afford it. I figure that since I have a full-time job this year, I'm going to see if I can arrange to go. The only problem, I don't want to go alone! *sigh* Is there anyone that can go with me?
I just became the biggest idiot on earth today... In an attempt to backup my SIM card, I accidentally erased it all. ARG! On the upside, my parents got me the Blackberry Pearl as a late Xmas gift. So now you know why I was trying to backup my SIM card, because I was going to be switching it over to the Pearl. But of course, now all the numbers are gone (because I clicked on the wrong thing), and have to recall the numbers by memory and other sources. I've recovered about 20% of my long (original) list. It may be a good thing that I purged my numbers (even by accident), as the other 80% that I can't seem to remember must be numbers that I don't really use anymore.
Show us your loot!
My family has a tradition of hosting a dinner on Christmas Day. Much like previous years, we invite family and friends who are in town. Usually it consists of the same people, but over the years, the families who come to dinner have changed. The change is mostly due to my parents and I moving into a smaller house; therefore, the party had to downsize.
When we first held the party many many years ago, while still living with my grandmother, we had between 40 to 50 guests. The house was much bigger, so more people were invited. Many of the guests were my dad's friends (many of whom have returned to HK with their families and no longer live in Vancouver).
Nowadays, the party is down to about 20 or so people, mostly family and close friends. Even as such, the "friends" have changed. Now, it's more my mom's former co-workers, who have become close family friends. Any family who is in-town for the holidays are expected to show (and usually there are a few who are away on holiday).
This year, we had 18 people at our house (others were invited but couldn't make it because of work or other committments - parties). Over the years, the children of these families have grown (as have I); therefore, the kids aren't expected to show. Intrestingly enough, we actually had 3 kids who wanted to come. But their parents thought they wouldn't want to come, so when reporting numbers, only reported the father (who could make it. Mom was at work). The kids were pissed, but their father said "It's my night out with my friends. Sorry kids." We all laughed when he told us the story. If he had told us earlier, the kids would've been more than welcomed, but since it was right before dinner, my mother admitted it would've been a problem food-wise.
It was a pretty good night... with the exception of the crying 2 year old.
Are you throwing or attending a holiday party this year? Any ideas/tips to share?
My parents and I are hosting our annual Christmas dinner on Christmas Day this year. It's for family and friends that are in town which will be approximately 18 this year. Similar to previous years, we are avoiding the turkey. We never seem to be able to finish it, even with the number we have; although, I suspect it is because of the amount of food my mom makes.
No real ideas or tips to share - just pick foods that are likely to go, and not fill your fridge for weeks to come. Avoid the turkey if necessary.
Where do you do your online shopping?
In the past, I've done my online shopping at Indigo. I like to be able to order books and have them shipped to me. During a phase, both myself and my cousins had, I bought them books for Christmas and had them shippsed. It was a great feature. Of course, now that identity theft is more rampant, I'm less inclined to make purchases onlineo with my credit cards. I do occassionally when I need to, such as pay bills.
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