In response to Jo's, Donna's posts - and the link party they created with Sue and Debbie I'm answering 10 Christmas-related questions - and look forward to reading everyone else's.

1. Christmas Tree – Do you have one? If so, when does it go up? Is there a theme, or is it mismatched?
2. Christmas Carols – Yes or no? Faves? Traditional or modern?
3. Christmas Books – Your faves?
4. Christmas Movies – Again, your faves?
5. Christmas Cake – Yes or no? (Seriously, is there any choice here?)
6. Chocolate Nuts or Fruit?
7. Christmas Traditions?
8. What’s on your Table?
9. Christmas Memories?
10. All I want for Christmas Is?

Christmas Tree:

In our almost 26 years of marriage, we have collected nativity scenes that replaced our tree years ago. These scenes have taken many iterations through the years but about 5 years ago I mimicked an idea I found online (perhaps Pinterest) to use a ladder and boards to create the illusion of a tree. The photo is from 2020 as this year's "tree" will need to wait until I've completed the strip/sand/stain trim and wall painting project - hopefully by this Sunday!

Christmas Carols:

For many years, I LOVED Christmas carols - I have memories of singing some of our old favorites in long drives with my sisters even in summer. My convent years stripped me of my year-round joy of carols for a more strict observance of no Christmas songs until the beginning of the "O Antiphons" - the liturgical ritual in the Catholic church - on the last seven days of Advent. This carried over to focusing on the Advent wreath and the singing of O Come, O Come Emmanuel until December 17, even with my children, in the early years. That said, I had collected at least a dozen, if not 20, Christmas CDs to be enjoyed between Dec 17 - Jan 6. Over time I've gotten lax - and less invested in Christmas tunes - and I still resist Christmas decorations and tunes too early. Just as I cringe when I see Halloween decorations beginning in September. Ugh!

Just this morning during my 20-mins of sun lamp exposure and mandala coloring (see post about that here and here), I was reflecting on when and how I lost my love of Advent and Christmas - and how I might attempt to rekindle it (post coming soon).

Christmas Books: I've read a few over the years but nothing that strikes me as a favorite.

Christmas Movies: Elf with the family and It's a Wonderful Life as my private New Year's Eve movie. (My husband and children refuse to watch it with me - boring, depressing, too white.)

Christmas Cake: Nope. We do sweet potato and apple pie. Growing up it was pumpkin and mincemeat.

Chocolate, nuts, or fruit: Not particularly but I'll always enjoy some dark chocolate and eat nuts and fruit daily.

Christmas traditions: Not really anything that sticks for long beyond the nativity scenes.

What's on your Table?

For the first half of our marriage, we were all pescatarians so salmon - Salmon Cordon Bleu, mac 'n cheese, scalloped and mashed potatoes, and greens were our mainstays. Since my husband and boys now eat meat, we've added turkey and ham to the mix depending on their moods.

Christmas memories:

I maintain a love/not love tug-of-war with Christmas -- I appreciate the joy of giving and the celebration of family coming together but resist the over-commercialization and the frantic frenzy that engulfs too many at this time of year. I have no particularly vivid memories of Christmases past but know that many were filled with angst and I now appreciate a low-key, simple gathering with my children and their significant others (all young adults, no lifetime commitments yet).

All I Want for Christmas Is... Not a big ask - justice and equity for all (at which time we'll know peace).