Back Tack 4 and a Christmas Meme

Here's a little teaser for my Back Tack 4 partner….

And here's a little meme I saw at Elise's blog.  I need a touch of holiday spirit, so here I go.  Consider yourself tagged and leave a comment if you play along!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I like to use brown kraft paper and pretty bows or baker's string.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real trees are the most festive, but after an incident in the late 1990s or so when a ginormous tree nearly sent me to the hospital (I had to work a pr event with exchange students who were decorating said tree…and learned that I have a severe allergy that incites asthma in me.  Not. Fun.), I've had to turn to artificial.  We have a silver tinsel tree that rocks my world.
3. When do you put up the tree? This is always up for debate, but usually about ten days before.
4. When do you take the tree down? It depends.  If we have a New Year's eve party, I like to have it down before that.  Otherwise, New Year's day or shortly thereafter.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?  Shaun Cassidy album.  There is a great picture somewhere of me hugging the record with a priceless expression of joy.  My oldest brother was very good to me!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad.  He doesn't need anything, and he is the least materialistic person I know.  Baked goods and books are usually the way I go with him.
8. Easiest person to buy for? MB.  If I like it, I'm pretty certain she will, too.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have one made by my gram and given to me by my dad's mom, but I rarely set it out due to lack of space.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail, without a doubt.  I usually have them written by now, but they'll have to wait until after I submit grades, I fear.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?  My first boyfriend gave me a mug that said "there's no better friend than a father; there's no better father than you."  WTF?  He was fatherless, by the way.  He did also give me Of Human Bondage that year, which I love, so I guess they balance each other.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Hmmm…White Christmas is tied with How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December 26th, baby.  I make a lot of gifts and try to start early.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Can't think of doing so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies, with abandon.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, please, and not the prissy white-only lights.  I want me some color!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song"
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I prefer to stay home, having spent most Christmases of my adult life traveling.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Of course.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One Christmas eve, the rest in the a.m.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Radio stations saturate us with holiday music way too early.  Also, greed.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I've lost one of my favorite ornament between divorce and/ or moves, but it was a stuffed fabric yo-yo wreath my first grade teacher, Mrs. Wolf helped me make.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? Rest, peace, and maybe a Kindle.
24. Angel on the tree top or a star? Used to use an angel, but years ago, when we couldn't afford a new topper and needed one, my ex-husband crafted a darling star from cardboard and tinfoil.  I love that thing beyond reason.
25. Favorite Christmas dinner?  Dinner doesn't matter…I'm usually relegated to sides as a vegetarian, and while they're yummy, they're nothing to get worked up about.

So, you in?