Copy this list of questions, paste in the comment box, and then answer as many as you’re comfortable with.
- What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
- What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
- What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
- What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
- What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
- What is your favorite Christmas song?
- What is your favorite Christmas movie?
- What is your favorite Christmas food?
- Egg nog, yes or no?
- How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
- Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
- Have you kissed under mistletoe?
- When do you put up the tree?
- When do you take down the tree?
- Have you ever played Santa?
- Best overall Christmas memory?
17. When do you open gifts…
Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
18. Real or fake tree?
19. Do you go to Mass?
20. Have you ever seen the Art Carney Twilight Zone episode “The Night of the Meek”?
21. Series or parallel tree lights?
(OK, perhaps I’m reaching…)
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? A ridiculous game called Thing Ding. I think I was 5.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? Jean Nate bath “stuff” for my mother. Old Spice for my Dad.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? A portrait I drew of her.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? Lounge pants that had a guy’s face all over them. The person thought the person was Mr. Kotter from Welcome Back Kotter. But it was just a guy with a mustache. The funny part was, why would I want Gabe kaplan on my pants?
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) The Kotter pants.
What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
What is your favorite Christmas movie? March of the Wooden Soldiers
What is your favorite Christmas food? Cranberry stuffing.
Egg nog, yes or no? Yes
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? 7
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? Yes
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes
When do you put up the tree? Growing up it was Christmas Eve.
When do you take down the tree? First week in January.
Have you ever played Santa? Yes
Best overall Christmas memory? Making soup on the fireplace in a big copper pot.
When do you open gifts… Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas eve after the age of 10.
Real or fake tree? Fake
Do you go to Mass? Not anymore
Have you ever seen the Art Carney Twilight Zone episode “The Night of the Meek”? Of course.
Series or parallel tree lights? You’ve gone too far. (No blinking lights)
BFH: “What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night”
YES!!! A BILLION TIMES OVER!
I have a whole folder on my computer containing 100 different renditions of that song and I love them all!
I like Bing Crosby’s version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnza3mo2yD8
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? Stuffed toy animal dog – named him Ruphus
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? Cap gun.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Crystal candy dish.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? My Mom got mine and my brother’s gift tags mixed up.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) My brother gave me a Black Sabbath album because he wanted to tape it. I hate Black Sabbath.
What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night.
What is your favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story
What is your favorite Christmas food? Cookies!
Egg nog, yes or no? No.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? What?
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? Yes – ask a kid.
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes – real mistletoe, not plastic fake.
When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend.
When do you take down the tree? Soon after New Years day.
Have you ever played Santa? Nope
Best overall Christmas memory? Too many to narrow down to one.
22. The biden* admin, FBI, DOJ and 87,000 new IRS agents would like you to itemize your gifts received this year, photographic documentation is required, along with completion of form 2211-XZ3-subA-dash47, in triplicate and submit no later than December 27th, midnight.
Ukraine depends on it!
Thank you! Uncle Sham
What do you mean by “stopped believing in Santa”? Never.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? Mattel fanner double holster cap guns.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
Costume jewelry to mom, fishing lures to dad.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
More costume jewelry. A ring. Her and her mom thought we were getting married. We were 16. No more jewelry
.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? Got zero. But a couple years ago we got my oldest very gullible son a personal earwax candle kit. OMG.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) Well, back in the late 60’s early 70’s only certain jeans were cool. I asked for 501’s and ended up with endless pairs of some Gemco look alike. Not good.
What is your favorite Christmas song? Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Pffft, Die Hard
What is your favorite Christmas food?
Well now days Prime Rib.
Egg nog, yes or no?
No.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
WTF are you speaken about?
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Yes
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
Well, that’s where it all starts.
When do you put up the tree?
The week after Thanksgiving
When do you take down the tree?
January 2cnd
Have you ever played Santa?
no
Best overall Christmas memory?
All of them.
Not sure if we can post links now but O’Holy Night done by the following will not disappoint if you search them:
O Holy Night (Live) – Hillsong Worship
Bill & Gloria Gaither – O Holy Night (Live) ft. David Phelps
IL DIVO – O Holy Night (In Mérida)
Jennifer Nettles – O Holy Night/Hallelujah
Oh Holy Night – HomeTown
Céline Dion – O Holy Night (from the 1998 “These are Special Times” TV special)
Kerrie Roberts: “O Holy Night” Performance Video
Oh Holy Night – 7-Year-Old Claire Crosby and Dave Crosby
Oh Holy Night – Kristin Amarie
Celtic Woman … O Come All Ye Faithful+Silent Night ….O Holy Night
1. First gift received: my fifth Christmas I received my first album, Johnny Cash.
2. First gift given: a faded, hot pink, beaded wallet for my mother. Purchased at the Salvation Army, with the quarter that my mother gave me to spend. She still has it♥️
4. Unintentionally funny: that Johnny Cash album. I took it with me everywhere I went.
6. Favorite song: Oh Holy Night. Best sung by Nat King Cole.
8. Favorite food: Frosted Sugar Cookies. Lots of frosting!
9. No eggnog.
10. I was a firm believer until I was nine. My dad woke me up at 2 am and asked me to look at the Sears catalog and point to what I wanted Santa do bring me for Christmas. He thought I would think it was a dream.
11. Santa’s lap: No way José! I was extremely frightened of Santa.
12. Mistletoe kiss: Yes, and it was lovely.
13. Put up the tree: Tomorrow. Hopefully.
14. Remove tree: Last year it was up until February.
16. Best memory: When I was ten, my mother was unemployed for several months prior to Christmas and she had very little money. She bought me the “Little House” books set, by Laura Ingles Wilder. Then she proceeded to read them to me every night until she had read them all.
17. Gifts: we open one gift, of parents choosing, on Christmas Eve, the rest are opened in the morning.
18. Tree: I’m sorry to say that I stared using an artificial tree a few years ago. It’s just easier and less expensive.
19. Mass: Not Catholic. We will go to church service on Christmas morning.
¡Feliz Navidad!
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? SELF-BALANCING GYROSCOPE WITH BEARINGS THAT WOULD RUN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WITH A GOOD HARD YANK ON THE CORD.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? RUTILE QUARTZ BOLO TIE CLIP FOR MY FATHER, MOTHER OF PEARL INLAID CHOPSTICKS FOR MY MOTHER WHO WORE THEM IN HER HAIR.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? SEXY LINGERIE. WHAT CAN I SAY? I WAS PRECOCIOUS…SO WAS SHE!
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? UMMMM…NOTHING COMES TO MIND.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) UGLY CLOTHES, AND IT WASN’T JUST ONE TIME.
What is your favorite Christmas song? JOY TO THE WORLD
What is your favorite Christmas movie? DIE HARD
What is your favorite Christmas food? STANDING RIB ROAST BEEF, BAKED POTATO, SANGIOVESE
Egg nog, yes or no? NO. ICK.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? I DON’T THINK I EVER BELIEVED HE WAS REAL BUT WAS AWARE OF THE LOVING TRADITION FAIRLY EARLY ON. STILL AM.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? NO
Have you kissed under mistletoe? YES
When do you put up the tree? HAVEN’T DONE A TREE IN MANY YEARS
When do you take down the tree? SEE PREVIOUS REPLY
Have you ever played Santa? NO
Best overall Christmas memory? I HAVE TOO MANY LOVELY ONES TO CHOOSE EASILY. MAYBE MY FIRST MID-SUMMER CHRISTMAS WHEN I WAS A KID LIVING IN BUENOS AIRES.
This is now my favorite Christmas memory. —- >
Best memory: When I was ten, my mother was unemployed for several months prior to Christmas and she had very little money. She bought me the “Little House” books set, by Laura Ingles Wilder. Then she proceeded to read them to me every night until she had read them all.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
Telescope
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
That’s too long ago
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
A camera
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
What is your favorite Christmas song?
When I was a little kid it was little drummer boy. I like most of them now.
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
What is your favorite Christmas food?
It used to be King Crab Legs but I’ve been overruled. Last few years it’s been Prime Rib.
Egg nog, yes or no?
Yes
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
Maybe 8 or so.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Yes
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
I’m not sure I know what mistletoe looks like.
When do you put up the tree?
Early December.
When do you take down the tree?
Early January
Have you ever played Santa?
Yes
Best overall Christmas memory?
Mostly all good.
1: What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
A: My Aunt made me a Mary Poppins doll.
2: What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
A: I found a decorative pine cone in the attic among the other Christmas decorations. I wrapped it and gave it to my mom.
3. What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
A: A high-tech digital watch that only displayed the time when you turned your wrist inward to look.
4. What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
A: I’ve never received a gift like that, but Geoff C. has a great story.
5. What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
A: Not a bad gift per se, but my mom would frequently run out of time to finish her Christmas sewing projects and I’d get something half or less than half-finished with the pattern, thread, and assorted pieces wrapped up for me to finish. I think she gauged her sewing queue by who could sew and who couldn’t.
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
A: Tough one! Fav sacred: “O Come, Emmanuel” Fav Festive: “Sleigh Ride”
7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
A: 1951, Alistair Sim version of “A Christmas Carol” (I LOVE it when the ghost of Jacob Marley says the best line of any film ever made, “Much.” So hilariously understated.)
8. What is your favorite Christmas food?
A: Our kids are bringing Dungeness crabs, clams, oysters, mussels and etc for Christmas dinner this year, so those are my very favorites!
9. Egg nog, yes or no?
A: Of course! Especially with nog.
10: How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
A: What do you mean? (said with suspicious, squinty eyes)
11: Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
A: Yes.
12: Have you kissed under mistletoe?
A: Yes.
13. When do you put up the tree?
A: About a week before Christmas.
14: When do you take down the tree?
A: Within a week following New Years.
15: Have you ever played Santa? A: No
16: Best overall Christmas memory?
A: When my oldest(Marine) brother returned from Viet Nam just before Christmas. Also when we light the candles and sing “Joy To The World” at the Christmas Eve service. Then I totally relax.
Merry Christmas, IOTWReport Friends!
After wiping the tear from my eye due to dust and certainly not Fur’s new “favorite Christmas memory,” I will have to say mine…
I was seven or eight and my older brother went to Mass with Mom, I stayed home.
Dad was upstairs sleeping, so were my newborn twin siblings.
I turned on Christmas music and sat on the couch admiring the lights on the tree.
It was the most peaceful moment of my life at that time.
Alone with the magic & hope of Christmas Eve.
The excitement of the season & moment made me feel so alive and restless.
I stayed awake until Mom & brother came home.
I will never forget that seemingly uneventful night, but that magical peace was priceless.
I was a foreigner yank living in a pure old farming town in Norfolk not far from Snetterton. Back in the Day.
Before MP3 there were other audio files.
An Australian Mate sent me an audio clip of an Australain Christmas Song. Do not remember the song or the artist or anything much else except for some of the lyrics. I laughed so hard that I had to write them down on paper since printers were a few years off yet. I thumb-tacked a copy on the Social Club Posting Board next to the Snooker Hall and across from the Dart Board. Kind of next to the Full Service Refreshments for everyone in the Family.
Anyways. It dissappeared off the Board and I didn’t think much about it.
About a week or two later I started feeling bad vibes and stink eyes from Margeret (sp? name changed).
Awhile later I found out Margeret didn’t like that song very much.
The song lyrics I remember are NSFW
“Hey Santa Clause you cu#t. Where’s me f##king Bike?”
I liked the song because it was a digital transmission from another land and all the tech farmers laughed, especially the Two Ronnies (GREAT MATES).
Margaret (name changed) had a young nephew that didn’t get a bike and I didn’t know about it, until later.
Good Times, Folks and Fish and Chips and Sound Waves
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? Tyco Slot Car Set…still have the two cars from that set. Will build my 4-lane setup soon.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? Dad got a mug, mom got a scarf.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Snow globe…she collected them.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? A doll…mix up of names on gifts.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) Earth shoes that was the popular shoe fad at the time. Got a pair, but so did a girl in my class…same shoes, but her’s were lighter and my were darker. Took some ribbing from my buddies and only wore them about three more times that school year.
What is your favorite Christmas song? What Child Is This
What is your favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Story
What is your favorite Christmas food? We usually do Thanksgiving II, but a pared down version.
Egg nog, yes or no? Yes, but pumpkin spiced
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? 8 or 9.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? Sure. During the holidays, that was the kid thing to do at the local mall.
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes
When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend.
When do you take down the tree? After New Years and a few times in Feb.
Have you ever played Santa? No.
Best overall Christmas memory? Practically all of them. Can’t think of only one.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? Say what?
I lost the numbers, but here are the answers:
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? twin baby dolls
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? Pipe for my dad
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? A camera
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? A gaudy plastic ‘jewel’ ring (hideous)
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) yellow sweat suit
What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night
What is your favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story
What is your favorite Christmas food? Home made peanut brittle
Egg nog, yes or no? No
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? WHAT? 78 years of believing.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? Sure
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes
When do you put up the tree? Mid December
When do you take down the tree? New Year Day
Have you ever played Santa? No
Best overall Christmas memory? First one of my marriage. But so many others, also.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
I got a bicycle with training wheels and a fireman’s hat with real lights and siren sounds.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
A really lumpy dinosaur I made in art class I gave to my Mom.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
I wrote and recorded a song for Jennifer called Jennifer’s Song.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
My Brother got some juggle birds.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
My Brother got the juggle birds and proceeded to pound me in the noggin with the juggle birds.
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Anything by Dean Martin.
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life.
What is your favorite Christmas food?
My Mother’s cooking.
Egg nog, yes or no?
Never had it.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
Santa is right here, right now.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
Yes.
When do you put up the tree?
We don’t. We have cats.
When do you take down the tree?
Have you ever played Santa?
Best overall Christmas memory?
Our last Christmas with my Mother.
Social Clubbing — It’s so dirty I can’t even post it.
KEVIN BLOODY WILSON Hey Santa Claus
Just when I thought, well, maybe it’s merely a laughable dirty novelty.. the last line in the song, and the cartoon with it ….
Erik—
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHj1-nJBRys
For the last 20 years or so, I have been the local volunteer fire dept Santa. We have a Breakfast w/Santa, where kids can eat and meet Santa. Money raised goes to help a needy family or 2 in the community. I provide Christmas dinner and the FD provides toys and/or gift cards. If you have firsthand seen the joy on some kids faces when Santa comes to their house, while tears are pouring down their Mom’s face, knowing that her kids will have a Christmas this year, you will always believe in Santa. Participating in this is the only gift I receive at Christmas, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
refuse/resist
Wow man, awesome story. It is better to give than receive isn’t it.
Brad – Absolutely.
@BFH@
We ride the analog-digital waves
I wish I had “Jennifer’s Song” digitized. I recorded it on a 4 track cassette recorder (4 tracks going the same direction) and mastered it onto a reel to reel. (back then we thought reel to reel was suitable for mastering) The reel to reel is gone, but I do believe I reduced it onto cassette, as well. Who knows?
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
A pink plastic toy gun that shot plastic bullets.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
Model of a stock car to my brother.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
Nautical themed cuff links
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
???
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
A pair of Totes rubber over shoes (WTF!?!) I won’t go into it.
What is your favorite Christmas song? Oh Come All Ye Faithful\
What is your favorite Christmas movie? The B&W Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim
What is your favorite Christmas food?
Lebkuchen from Nürnberg. It’s the best. Followed by Pfeffernusse
Egg nog, yes or no?
YES! Only a small amount in coffee due to the sugar. If you love Eggnog Bigelow Tea Co has Egg Noggin tea. Tastes like the real thing and no sugar. it sold out locally so i bought a case directly from Bigelow.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
5-6?
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
no
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
yes
When do you put up the tree?
2 weeks before Christmas
When do you take down the tree?
Depends on if it’s getting dry so usually by Jan. 3-5
Have you ever played Santa?
no
Best overall Christmas memory?
When my Grandparents came from the US to visit us in Germany
17. When do you open gifts…
Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
1
LocoBlancoSaltine December 22, 2022 at 10:23 pm
18. Real or fake tree? Real and usually from the back 40.
19. Do you go to Mass? Used to go to midnight mass but not in decades
20. Have you ever seen the Art Carney Twilight Zone episode “The Night of the Meek”? Yes
21 – Do you get gifts for your pets? Of course
Best gifts, a transistor radio and a microscope
Best memory – getting hit in the face with a broken beer bottle. The transistor radio improved the quality of my life…
Favorite Christmas song, Orthodox Christian Monks chant Christmas Carols
eggnog – good
No tree, just a Nativity scene
Exchanging gifts abandoned decades ago, how could anyone top a Jap transistor radio or a microscope?
I go to Orthodox Liturgy, not mass.
At Erik
Hear Ya
I lost a Why Do Birds recording on cassette
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
Erector Set
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
I honestly don’t remember.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
A necklace.
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
A vibrating wand for “muscle pain”. I was 14. I believe it was not intended for me.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
Black socks. (But I would love to get them these days!)
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Silent Night
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Christmas Vacation
What is your favorite Christmas food?
Ostakaka!
Egg nog, yes or no?
YES!
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
I don’t ever remember believing Santa was real.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Yes.
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
Yes
When do you put up the tree?
The day after Thanksgiving.
When do you take down the tree?
Around that day. LOL.
Have you ever played Santa?
No.
Best overall Christmas memory?
My grandfather reading The Christmas Story to our family when I was very young and all my aunts, uncles and cousins still got together. It is a time I miss dearly.
Merry Christmas to all of you. Enjoy every minute you can get with your family and friends.
I think there should have been one more question in this list. Just so I can answer it.
What is your worst Christmas memory?
Lutefisk.
@ Hunter, lutefisk. Please never again. Church cover dish suppers my mother made fried chicken. We never got any because adults went first. it never failed green beans and lutefisk were about all that was left for us.
1. What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
Annie Oakley outfit with hat, fringed vest, skirt, holster and guns
2. What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
Walked with my dad to the local hardware store and bought an aluminum napkin holder (still in use)
3. What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
No memory
4. What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
Doesn’t apply
5. What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
I still remember being disappointed a couple of times with my grade school exchange gifts. I once got a set of handkerchiefs, and once the box of different lifesavers (they came in a book like package).
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Too many to pick just one, but “Mary Did You Know” is in my top 10 because I sang it solo in our choir
7.What is your favorite Christmas movie?
It changes from year to year, but currently it is Elf
8.What is your favorite Christmas food?
How can I chose just one???? I love it all.
9. Egg nog, yes or no?
Ohh –YES
10. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
Don’t remember
11. Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Yes
12. Have you kissed under mistletoe?
Yes
13. When do you put up the tree?
The weekend before Christmas
14. When do you take down the tree?
January 1
15. Have you ever played Santa?
No
16. Best overall Christmas memory?
The year my first child was born and my husband and I took the train to visit my family. It was bitterly cold coming home, driving north, and it got colder and colder. We arrived about 9:00pm in -50 degree weather. I don’t remember being afraid, because I had such trust in my husband, but I do remember that when he brought in his suit bag (the plastic bag it came in) it just disintegrated. I know it’s not a “Christmas” memory, per se, but it is still such a strong memory of love and trust and joy at coming home.
1) What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?….Bicycle when I was young. Browning citori o/u as an older fella…
2) What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?…penny candy for my Mom and Dad..
3) What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?….leather necklace that I found in the park…
4) What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?…hip waders from my sister after I got the goats…
5) What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)…My girlfriend told me she was late and she wasn’t…
6) What is your favorite Christmas song?… O Holy Night by there Celtic Woman or Little Drummer Boy by Emmylou Harris…
7) What is your favorite Christmas movie?…Scrooged…
8)What is your favorite Christmas food?…Prime Rib with horseradish sauce, yorkshire pudding…
9) Egg nog, yes or no?…I’ve got an Irish creme recipe that tastes like eggnog but no eggs, just whiskey…
10) How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?….7ish…
11) Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?…yes…
12) Have you kissed under mistletoe?…You betcha, ya know…once with a real bohonk..
13) When do you put up the tree?….I cut the trees down and my sister puts them up…
14) When do you take down the tree?…see above…
15) Have you ever played Santa?…No…
16) Best overall Christmas memory?…they are all good so here’s a weird one…A friend and his wife brought over a fresh road killed raccoon an hour before I was expected at my sisters on Christmas eve. She wanted to taste wilder game. It was head wounded so I talked her out of eating it, but she still wanted the pelt and wanted to know how to skin a critter. It put me an hour late to my sisters and we all still laugh about it..
1.What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
-A Panasonic Panapet 70 white round radio. Exactly what I wanted. I still have it and it works, looks great.
2.What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
-A scarf for my mother. She “loved it” of course.
3.What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
-T-shirt for a boyfriend. Don’t remember if it “Wowed”
4.What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
-Dish towels as a White Elephant gift from my workplace. Just what a 17 year old would want. LOL! wish I had gotten the tube socks I brought.
5.What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
-A family composite picture. A family member used the worst pic of me. Not convinced it wasn’t on purpose. Go figure – family.
6.What is your favorite Christmas song?
-“Oh Come, Emanuel”. A prelude hynm for Easter. So beautiful!
7.What is your favorite Christmas movie?
-“Scrooge”, Alistair Sims version, 1951. The actors in that version are superior. The second best Marley is in the George Scott version, 1984.
8.What is your favorite Christmas food?
-Chuck Roast with onions, potatoes carrots, celery – pot roast style. Also homemade fruitcake – delicious.
9.Egg nog, yes or no?
-YES
10.How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
-The fake Santas – Stopped believing at seven. The real Santa – I believe.
11.Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
-Yes, I was 4. Got pics somewhere.
12.Have you kissed under mistletoe?
-No, always wish I had.
13.When do you put up the tree?
-First week of December. Right after Thanksgiving seems too early.
14.When do you take down the tree?
-First week of January. Time seems to shout it’s a new year. Start over.
15.Have you ever played Santa?
-Since I’m a woman (God’s definition), “suited” to playing Mrs. Claus.
16.Best overall Christmas memory?
-The year I got my favorite gift. It was the early 1970s. Everything was going very well back then, but time marches on.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
What is your favorite Christmas song?
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
What is your favorite Christmas food?
Egg nog, yes or no?
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
When do you put up the tree?
When do you take down the tree?
Have you ever played Santa?
Best overall Christmas memory?
1 A plastic M1. I captured Iwo Jima all by myself!
2. Earmuffs to Dad
5. Slinky
6.God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7. Wonderful Life
8. Fruitcake
9. yes
10. 7 or 8
11. Yes
12. no
13. About 12/9
14. about 1/7
15. no
16. Dinner at GrandMa’s
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
I don’t recall.
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
I don’t recall.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
I don’t recall.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
I don’t recall.
What is your favorite Christmas song?
I don’t recall.
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
I don’t recall.
What is your favorite Christmas food?
I don’t recall.
Egg nog, yes or no?
Extra rum.
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
I don’t recall.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
I don’t recall.
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
I don’t recall.
When do you put up the tree?
I don’t recall.
When do you take down the tree?
I don’t recall.
Have you ever played Santa?
I don’t recall.
Best overall Christmas memory?
I don’t recall.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? Buster Brown Shoes
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? Mother of pearl Bulova watch to my mother when I was 17.
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Girlfriend — Love
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
HUGE Canister of Peanut Butter and Huge Grape Jelly Jar my first christmas after returning from VN.
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) Socks and underwear (which was a general gift for my younger years
What is your favorite Christmas song? eartha kitt, santa baby
What is your favorite Christmas movie? It’s a wonderful life
What is your favorite Christmas food? Cherry Pie
Egg nog, yes or no? No
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? Pretty young, it was (is) Christ’s Birthday.
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? No
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes
When do you put up the tree? 1st week of December
When do you take down the tree? a few days after the New Year
Have you ever played Santa? no; I;ve played Doctor a few times.
Best overall Christmas memory? Having Grandma, all the great Aunts and Great Uncles, Uncles, Aunts, Mom, Dad & brother (all who have passed on with the rest of us who are still here.
Bitter sweet memories.
1-a chemistry set. It had many small bottles of lots of chemicals, including sulphur and powdered charcoal. All I needed now was saltpeter, which was difficult to get at age 8. As fate would have it, my older brother’s best pal was a clerk in a mom and pop drug store that was within bicycling distance. Assembling the 3 ingredients in the right proportions, I made black gunpowder. A close second was the gift of the Beatles White Album about a month after it was released.
9-If you’ve not tried Evan Williams egg nog, you really should. Mr. Williams was a respected founding father in the city of Louisville. He owned a distillery right on the banks of the Ohio River, just above the falls. The flat bottom cargo boats all had to stop in Louisville and portage their wares to below the falls to reload them back on boats to continue down river, most often to New Orleans. Evan Williams was the first dockmaster, raising a lot of money for the city coffers.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
-7 years old, I got a twirling baton…it got smashed in the car on the way to Grandma’s house on Christmas Day & I never got to use it!
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
-6 years old, our class dipped flowers in paint and attached a pin, a brooch for my mom (she kept it for years until it crumbled away)
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
-21 years old, gave my boyfriend a nice gold chain (early 1980’s), he dumped me a couple weeks later for his former girlfriend, I was still making payments on that chain after he dumped me!
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
-30 years old, my best friend at the time gave me a Christmas tree topper, Barbie dressed up like Scarlett O’Hara (oh Lord, not a doll fan & I can’t stand Scarlett) I laughed & said pretty much that upon opening it. She is no longer a friend
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
-SEE ABOVE ^
What is your favorite Christmas song?
-Do You Hear What I Hear? plus I like the church hymns-O Come All Ye Faithful, Gloria, & etc.
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
-Die Hard, just to stir the pot
What is your favorite Christmas food?
-cookies
Egg nog, yes or no?
-Hard no to the nog
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
-11 years old, after I stumbled upon the stash of Christmas gifts in the closet & they ended up under the tree from “Santa”
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
-No, I have a keen aversion to sitting on or near old men
Have you kissed under mistletoe?
-yes, but it was a girl and it was a friendly, not romantic kiss
When do you put up the tree?
-the weekend before Christmas
When do you take down the tree?
-the day after Christmas
Have you ever played Santa?
-No, but I do forge his signature on some gifts
Best overall Christmas memory?
-It is not the best, but it is the strongest. I had a favorite ornament, a painted purple hippo on a glass ball. I always put it at the best spot in the tree. In 2017, Mr. Kakalogical and K9 Kakalogical were playing tug-of-war. K9 Kakalogical snatched away the toy and did a might shake and fling, right into the tree. I heard the sickening tinkle of glass and said “that better not have been the purple hippo”. Well, it was, it pieces. Mr. Kakalogical gathered all the pieces and painstakingly pieced together the ornament. He is a fine-scale modeler, so he has the skills and the tools. Now, the purple hippo is encased in a plastic display case and we no longer play tug-of-war. The best part is that both Mr. Kakalogical and K9 Kakalogical survived to celebrate Christmas again. We do hold a moment of silence for the purple hippo every year.
Merry Christmas all!! This was fun!!!
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
my very own little wooden folding chair, I was 5 and I still have the that chair
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
something blown glass for my mom
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
sweater
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
world of warcraft sweater
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas?
I was 14 & my parents got me a sentry safe?!
I was devastated, I thought it was a stereo from the size of the box under the tree
What is your favorite Christmas song?
the christmas song
What is your favorite Christmas movie?
white christmas
What is your favorite Christmas food?
mince tarts
Egg nog, yes or no? no
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? 8
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? Yes
Have you kissed under mistletoe? Yes
When do you put up the tree?
growing up about a week or so after thanksgiving
as an adult after moving to the deep south, you have to buy your real tree as soon as they’re available or the sun drys them out real fast
When do you take down the tree?
1st weekend after new years day
Have you ever played Santa? no
Best overall Christmas memory? the year I got my little chair
When do you open gifts…
christmas morning when the kids were little
Real or fake tree? fake (the real trees were causing lots of allergy issues)
Do you go to Mass? no
Have you ever seen the Art Carney Twilight Zone episode “The Night of the Meek”? yes
Series or parallel tree lights? traditional lighting only
Favorite Christmas albums:
– Original Cast Recording: “The Christmas Schooner”.
www. youtube.com/watch?v=Zmx6tS1Esmo
– Jon Anderson: “Three Ships”:
youtube. com /watch?v=c8Ln_ffcJHw&list=PL59orJUqhigRTSjBHAL7k9Y3zPE2jfZ-W
– Paddy Noonan: “Christmas in Ireland”
When my son was still at home, a favorite Christmas tradition was going to see a production of “The Christmas Schooner”. It’s a wonderful show filled with great music, sparkling dialog, and a story of family love, hope, worries. One winter I splurged and treated the whole extended family to go see it. Sadly, the theaters in Chicago that staged it every year no longer do it, but occasionally a local theater company will tackle it.
“The Christmas Schooner” is based on the true story of small sailing ships in the late 1800s that would load Christmas trees up in Michigan and bring them down for sale to German heritage families in Chicago.
Here is a montage of highlights from the show:
you tube .com/watch?v=NpTU7uNxZ-A
Of relevance to IOTWers, “The Christmas Schooner” has a strong traditionalist flavor. The grandfather in the story is from Germany, and the grandmother from Switzerland. They argue in a kidding way about language, with grandpa wanting to hold on to old traditions, and grandma saying “We’re Americans now, so we speak American.” The whole production is about a family bound by love and with strong family ties.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? My ten speed Bike
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?My mom put a very small gift in a succesion of lager boxes.
What is your favorite Christmas song?Angels we have Heard on High (plus lots of others)
What is your favorite Christmas movie? One of the Christmas Carols, starting with Mr. Magoo
What is your favorite Christmas food? smokies for Breakfast
Egg nog, yes or no? no
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? not yet
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? long long ago in a galaxy far away
Have you kissed under mistletoe? many times
When do you put up the tree? between thanksgiving and the week before Christmas
When do you take down the tree? after the 12th day of Christmas (Ephiphany the day the Wise Men Came)
Have you ever played Santa? Yes
Best overall Christmas memory? One where we went to all the families on Christmas day ,that wore us out too.
Bah! Humbug!
1. What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?
When I was four I received a game called Noah’s Ark. Honestly, I don’t know how well I liked it, but the fact that I remember it 62 years later must say something about it. Before we moved I went through some old negatives and I found tone of that tree with that game underneath it. Maybe next year Mr. Hat can run reader’s photos of joyous Christmas’s past.
2. What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? I have no idea.
3. What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? To be honest, I don’t think I ever had a girlfriend over Christmas until I was married to her.
4. What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? Not to me but to my oldest brother. There was a big box with his name on it. He unwrapped it and opened the box. Inside was another box, then another, then another. In total I think there were about five boxes. Inside the last one was a bar of Neutrogena soap.
5. What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.) I don’t dwell on the negative gifts for the reason in the question.
6. What is your favorite Christmas song? Christmas music is like nutrition. Different songs feed different parts of the soul. I love The Christmas Song by Nay King Cole (the original 1946 version is the one I prefer). Mary Had A Baby by the Robert Shaw Chorale (It was on an album we had. I looked forward to hearing it as long as I can remember. I always thought that the RCA Red label was a work of art.) When A Child is Born by Michael Holm (A true reading on the meaning of the season). Stop The Cavalry by the Corey Band (I played this for my father who immediately loved it. It expresses the feeling of those who are away fighting for us).
7. What is your favorite Christmas movie? Scrooge with Alistair SIm.
8. What is your favorite Christmas food? The family Christmas dinner, love being the best ingredient.
9. Egg nog, yes or no? I liked it when I was a kid but not now.
10. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
11. Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? But of course.
12. Have you kissed under mistletoe? Not that I recall.
13. When do you put up the tree? It was early this year to get us into the season in our new home in (and for Mrs. RadioMattM a new country).
14. When do you take down the tree? By January 7.
15. Have you ever played Santa? Not that I recall.
16. Best overall Christmas memory? In 1968 my father was in Viet Nam. My oldest brother was away at college. My mother, my other brother, and I went out into the woods (between DuPont and the plant in the buffer zone for those who know the area0 to chop down a tree. We saw a deer when we were out there. We rolled it home in a wheel barrow. My brother and I were ready to kill each other by the time we got home but by the time we had hot chocolate everything was good.
18. Real or fake tree? Fake by this point. Real trees are so expensive.
19. Do you go to Mass? Not every year but we are planning on it this year.
20. Have you ever seen the Art Carney Twilight Zone episode “The Night of the Meek”? Yes.
21. Series or parallel tree lights? Yeah, I remember them. They were a pain when one burned out but I think I liked them better when they were working.
May I wish everyone a very Merry, Happy, and Blessed Christmas.
What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked? — A brand new blue blanket…I was about 2…later around 6 or 7 a battery operated triceratops which I immediately took apart with my brand new Sears & Roebuck toolkit I’d received for my birthday two weeks before Christmas…nothing was ever safe after that. Those three have always stood out
What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas? — finger paintings for my grandparents
What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend? — a kiss, she had one for me too…she lived on next farm over, daughter of one of my dad’s high school sweethearts, we were about 8 or so, were gonna get married, and eventually did, but dot to each other
What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas? — something from my younger brother, won’t mention it here, but fairly certain, his earnest protestations aside, that it was completely intentional
What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? — a horse that couldn’t be ridden, because my younger sister wanted one…I had campaigned for a motor bike
What is your favorite Christmas song? — Tie between Do You Hear What I Hear? and The Little Drummer Boy
What is your favorite Christmas movie? — Diehard…yeah, I know, what can I say
What is your favorite Christmas food? — Growing up Christmas was a huge multi-generational event which marked the year…no fav food, it’s all good…fav is just the incredible aroma as everything’s being prepared
Egg nog, yes or no? — That was always a major staple, and still is, though I prefer it with considerably less nog than they did
How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? — pretty early on, was a born skeptic and always laid proof traps for Santa (who looked suspiciously like my grandma in drag), and both Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny, as well
Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys? — not willingly
Have you kissed under mistletoe? — every chance I get
When do you put up the tree? — don’t do trees, complete manger set instead which goes out Christmas Eve, we read Biblical Christmas story first
When do you take down the tree? — manger set is put away a day or two after Christmas
Have you ever played Santa? — no
Best overall Christmas memory? — our 1st child’s (oldest son) first Christmas…was born two weeks earlier
My favorite Christmas memories growing up, were of my sisters and I putting on puppet shows for all our younger siblings and cousins and playing with them, being the oldest of the menagerie of kiddos we were volunteered babysitting duty. Over the years that has morphed into a true pleasure watching the excitement, wonder and joy of our precious children, nieces-nephews, and grandchildren.
God Bless & Keep you all in His grace and watch care; may He reign in your hearts and families this coming year!
TWD
1. What is the first gift you remember getting for Christmas that you really liked?’
A toy clothes washer. I turned the crank and watched the agitator spin back and forth. Cool for a 5-year-old.
2. What is the first gift you remember giving for Christmas?
Glued things on paper to make a picture. Mom hung it on the wall.
3. What is the first gift you remember giving a boyfriend or a girlfriend?
A Bible.
4. What is the unintentionally funniest gift you ever got for Christmas?
A Beatles poster. I acted like I was surprised and really loved it but got busted when my very little sister said, “Hey, it’s just like the one you have in your room!”
5. What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? (I hate asking that one, because any gift is very thoughtful, but human nature says we do remember clunkers.)
Someone who will remain nameless mailed me a picture. Didn’t wrap it very well, so the glass got broken. Never told him.
6. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Alistair Sim’s A Christmas Carol. Have to watch it every year.
8. What is your favorite Christmas food?
Turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, yams (plain, not with marshmallows), Waldorf salad, pumpkin pie. Always make me remember family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I miss them greatly.
9. Egg nog, yes or no?
Nonalcoholic, but cut with skim milk (it’s too rich for me, otherwise).
10. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?
4 or 5
11. Have you ever sat on Santa’s lap and asked for toys?
I must have, just don’t remember. Sure if I did, I never asked for toys. Probably just sat there because I was painfully shy.
12. Have you kissed under mistletoe?
No, but I sure would like to!
13. When do you put up the tree?
Mom always wanted it one week before Christmas so she could leave it up until February. Now, it’s the weekend after Thanksgiving.
14. When do you take down the tree?
Mid-January
15. Have you ever played Santa?
No. Well, except for the gift giving part. I like that part.
16. Best overall Christmas memory?
Christmas morning. Coming home for the holidays, my whole family would fill my parents living room with 18 family including sibling spouses and children. Opening gifts took several hours as we watched each person opening their gifts. I can’t tell you how many times we would have to pick up ourselves off the floor from laughing so hard. I have some of those times on video. Precious.
Claudia: I’m sure you could find some volunteers….
Best overall Christmas memory?
The year after our dad died, my mother (who didn’t drive) didn’t have anyone offer to help us get a tree so she said we wouldn’t have one. My 8 year old brother thought that was awful so he took the red wagon and walked to the shopping center and bought one all by himself and pulled it home, which was about 2 miles each way. It was a short dumpy thing but we loaded it up with all the ornaments and lights and it was the most beautiful tree we ever had.
LoveLy memory, Annie.