Contest Ho

The ladies over at Book Binge are hosting a holiday contest and the prize is an eBookwise eReader! In the immortal words of Chris Farley, "Holy Shnike!" I realize that I need another way to horde books like I need a hole in the head - but what the hell? I'm going to be honest here, the sole reason I want this bad boy is because it would make traveling oh so much easier. No more packing 5+ books into my carry-on bag. Here it goes:

Christmas Meme:

1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year?

Rereading is a rarity for me, so the answer here is, "I don't have one." That said, the one Christmas romance I have sitting in my keeper stash is the most excellent The Nights Before Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Harlequin Temptation #853). Steamy lovin' and a blue collar hero. Pick it up the next time you hit the used bookstore.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie/show?

I have several. Leading the pack is probably How The Grinch Stole Christmas. You get the fabulous Chuck Jones animation and Boris Karloff narrating. I try to catch it every year. I also rather enjoy The Year Without Santa Claus, which features the lounge singer stylings of the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser. As far as "grown-up" shows - I'm partial to Scrooged with Bill Murray, even if it is very 1980s.




3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

I'm partial to my aunt's butter cookie recipe. Think cut-out sugar cookies with frosting. That doesn't do them justice though, since they melt in your mouth. The only downside is you have to be a touch anal retentive when you bake these and pull them out of the oven at the exact, right moment. But they're well worth the effort. I really should post that recipe here sometime.

My second favorite cookie would be Buckeyes. This is what we call them in the American midwest, as they look like a buckeye nut. Basically they're peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.

4. When do you start Christmas shopping?

Usually the first week of December. Have I mentioned that I haven't started yet this year? Yikes!

5. Do you re-gift?

Never. Personally I think it's tacky. If you don't like it, return it.

6. What is your favorite Christmas song?

The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) by The Chipmunks and David Seville. I can't help it. Every time I hear it (much to The Boyfriend's horror), I need to sing it at the top of my lungs in my very own "chipmunk voice." I need help.



7. When do you get your Christmas tree?

Ever since we moved to California we don't put one up. I know, I know! We always had real trees when we lived in Michigan, and I just refuse on principal to get a "real tree" in California. Plus we travel every year. One of these years I'm going to get around to getting a nice looking artificial tree. For now though it's a few holiday knick-knacks.

8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it?

Hate it - but only because I'm horrible at it. And I just refuse to spend the money to have someone "professionally" wrap them.

9. Who is the hardest person to buy for?

The Boyfriend! He's such a fuddy-duddy. He hates surprises. Even "good" surprises. Plus he has finicky tastes. So we always buy his presents together. How boring is that? In the almost 10 years we've been together I think I've gotten him one "surprise" gift that he really loved - a personal DVD player to use when we travel. The runner up in this category would be my Mother. Or as my sisters and I like to call her Mrs. I Don't Need Anything! It's not about needing Mother, it's about wanting.

10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial?

In the "real" world? Real. In California? Artificial.