Friday Five - 12/10/10

[Refugee 7]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

2. Will you be traveling?

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Friday Five - 12/10/10

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

I do, yes...

2. Will you be traveling?

Yes..

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

That so many people are missing loved ones...

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

We have so many. One being our Christmas day walk on the beach. Now we walk the beach almost everyday but on Christmas day...it is just special. We walk all the ay down to Island Beach State Park...only a few people and a few dogs you see...everyone says Merry Christmas and I see that beautiful nativity in the sand...

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

Our Christmas tree goes up around the 21st. I always look forward to putting it up. This year, it will have gingerbread elephants I will make from a beautiful cookie cutter (thanks to a very dear friend)

[Echosoftom 3]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? - Yes, I'll be spending it in Orlando with my family. We're taking the kids to Disneyworld, Universal studios and the Kennedy Space Center.

2. Will you be traveling? - Yes! And thank god I have a non stop flight. No nail biting over whether I'll have to deal with a big thunderstorm, snowstorm or icestorm half way across the country.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? - The traffic and the crowds in all the stores and malls. That's why I happily did most of my shopping on line.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? - We don't do it every year but we usually get together on Christmas Eve for holiday treats and eggnog. We sing Christmas carols and just have a good time. We also take this opportunity to start cooking our dinner for Christmas day.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? - I put my little tree up over the weekend. It's simple, I just pull it out of the closet (already decorated) and stick it in it's designated area. I won't be home for Christmas anyway so no need for a big production.

[Starfish 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? This is my first post-divorce Christmas, so it's going to be a little weird. The kids are with me Christmas Eve night/Christmas morning, then they're spending the rest of the day with their father's family. I'm spending the afternoon at the hospice where I volunteer, they'll be shorthanded and it'll keep me busy.

2. Will you be traveling? nope

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? Parking! I live in town and can't find a parking spot near my apartment after work, lol. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't so darn cold.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? Yeah, but they've pretty much been eliminated now.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? It's up and it looks great

[Magnolia 171]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

Going to be a very quiet Christmas just with a few family members.

2. Will you be traveling?

Yes, but not a very long distance.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

It can be kinda lonely

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Like Nancy, used to but really not anymore.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

No, I won't put one up but the manager at my little complex did a killer job of decorating the courtyard. Trees, tons of lights, holly, dogs singing, LOL, BEAUTIFUL! My apartment looks right out over it.

[AmyLou 5]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

nothing specific - just having Mitch home and spending the time here

2. Will you be traveling?

Probably not - for the first time in ten years! Mitch and I may hit Florida in early Jan. after Jax goes back to school... but probably not.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

Dragging that damn tree up from downstairs, and the frigid cold we are supposed to get.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, crab legs New Year's Day, that's about it.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

Not yet, but hopefully I can get it upstairs but not decorated before Mitch gets home this evening

[DCAHNM 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

Just gonna hang out with the family Christmas Eve, and hang out with the kiddos and their presents from Santa Christmas Day.

2. Will you be traveling?

Don't plan on it.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

The music! Sorry...

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Gotta watch Christmas Vacation and hear Rudolph The Redneck Reindeer, or it just doesn't seem like Christmas...

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? Tree is up and decorated. The bottom 1/3rd of it keeps getting "undecorated"

[Softanimal 7]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

Go to work in the church... Celebrate Christmas with my father and his new family.

2. Will you be traveling?

Yes, my father lives in another part of the country.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

At times, too many people in town! (I agree with Epettyhead, too...)

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Christmas presents from my employers. I know I'll get a hamper, filled with groceries this Sunday.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

No to both. I can't carry a Christmas tree up all the stairs to third floor!

[Pawie 6]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

We are either staying SY and celebrate with friends or we will go to LA and celebrate with Julia. It all depends on if she wants to drive up to us after work or not..

2. Will you be traveling?

^ maybe..

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

The worst thing about Christmas is the MUSTS (if you have them) and I think - Is is supposed to be a HOliday of Joy and Celebration, but to some it is the loneliest day of the year.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Yes, The meal and a favorite TV program (from my Swedsih days).

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

No I don't think I will have a tree this year either. I still haven't my house in order...

[weird monkey 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

I will be with my family

2. Will you be traveling?

Yep. Flying from CA to NE. Impossible to get a nonstop. In fact I have 2 lay overs on the way back. I am leaving the 21st and coming back on the 28th (both Tuesdays) to avoid crowds as much as possible.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

Everyone is so stressed out and crabby, mainly because they are trying to 'outdo' themselves.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Being with my close family on Xmas day for dinner. I love the German foods I grew up with, wish I could take coffeebread and springerle cookies with me on the plane

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

I put the tree up yesterday, after hemming and hawing, and thinking of reasons not to.

It's funny how ornaments are so sentimental - it will be a little hard and some I won't hang, but I asked Bradley to bring me one when he gets back from New Hampshire. He was actually excited at the prospect. It will be a part of a new beginning.

[wild1forever 152]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? On Christmas Day, I will be with my family, including my daughter, who arrives from Chile next Tuesday. :003:

2. Will you be traveling? Not on Christmas Day, but we will go to my sister's next Friday. We are also driving to Tahoe for a few days before the big day.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? The consumerism.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? We usually go for a walk along the coast in Santa Cruz on Christmas Day. We also have an annual New Year's Day brunch, featuring our to-die-for crab omelets.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? Yes, and it looks nice.

[agirl 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? - no, staying home.

2. Will you be traveling? - no

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? - shopping, crowds and spending money.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? - we always go out looking at lights.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?- Yes, it's been up since the weekend after Thanksgiving.

[SingsInFrench 262]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

Christmas day at my niece's, Christmas Eve at my brother's.

2. Will you be traveling?

Just an hour to my niece's house.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

Stress and loneliness.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

Getting together with family, special foods, Christmas tree and decorations.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

Not yet, but I will.

[Refugee 7]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? - Nope

2. Will you be traveling? - Nope

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? - My list is VERY long. For me, it's the commercialism starting before Halloween. 90% of the human race gets VERY stupid around this time of the year. Don't believe me? Go into any major store, you will see what I mean. Lots of other annoyances, but I won't list them.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? - I only adhere to one that my mom always had. I do not open Christmas cards till Christmas day.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? - Nope. No, we will not put up a tree. My daughters and I are allergic to pine, so can't have a real one, and I'm too lazy and really don't care about putting up the artificial one.

[Amber 70]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? No

2. Will you be traveling? No

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? traffic

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? Not anymore...most of my family is either dead or far away.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? Yes it is up...such as it is.

[Sugar 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas?

Mom's bday party on Christmas eve, then home for the big day.

2. Will you be traveling?

After 23 years of being in the Military and moving around, it is so nice to stay home nowadays.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year?

The stress of making everyone happy.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions?

I like the Pajama elf tradition we have on Christmas eve. Everyone gets new jammies from him.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year?

Yeppers:)

[Yer so bad 4]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? I will visit my grandparents

2. Will you be traveling? Yes, I´ll go to San Juan, where they live

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? I miss my father so much, he passed away eight years ago...

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? I love to listen to Christmas songs and to decorate my house

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? Yes, it´s small, but cute

[AngelDream 16]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? Just going to mom's.

2. Will you be traveling? Just to mom's, about a hour drive.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? Missing my dad and step-dad....mom would have the tree up at her house because of them.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? Not really unless you call driving through downtown looking at all the lights and decorations.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? Yes, I put it up day after Thanksgiving every year...only a 5 footer but it's pretty. :111:

[AndreaM 0]

1. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? Christmas Eve has become more important, since Dad and brother Jeff's birthdays are that day, and Hubby's is the 22nd. Usually Jeff's family comes over, and I make a cake, and the birthday boys take turns blowing out the candles. Jeff usually guides what we're doing for both days, and he's not telling us till the Sunday before.

2. Will you be traveling? To work Christmas night. Since I'm first shift, we're always off the night before, which works great on New Year's, but not so much for July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but Christmas Eve is more important anyway, as stated above.

3. What is the worst thing about this time of year? I'm a mail processor in a U.S. Postal Service factory. They closed another facility, and we're doing that mail, as well as our own, with too few people, and this month is horrendous. I can't wait for Christmas to get here. This is my 23rd year (December 1987) in the USPS, and by far the worst.

4. Do you have any favorite holiday traditions? I do love looking at lights, but we don't always drive around. My real tradition is being incredibly stressed until Christmas Day, when I'm ecstatically happy that the torture's over for another year.

5. Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? If not, will you have a tree up this year? We put up our largest tree ever last year, a 15-year old 7-footer that Hubby brought with him when his house sold, and we had no furniture in the living room. It's since been donated to charity, and either Sunday or Monday (my weekend), I'm planning to put up a 3-footer a friend from work gave me. I don't know if we're doing anything outside, unless it warms up. At the very least, we'll put green bulbs in the front porch and walkway lights!