Holiday Meme

I found this meme over at Frippin Frappin Crazy and just liked it.
By the way, I just love Christmas. But you probably already knew. So, here are my answers...

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
First a Hot Chocolate, then an Egg Nog, and then a mulled wine.
Yup, sounds great ...

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
I don't know. Santa never brought me any gifts. My gifts were brought by the Christkindle ("christ child". By the way, that's where "Kris Kringle" got his name). But the Christkindle is more like an angel. Santa delivers the gifts in the northern part of Germany, but here in the south the Christkindle has to do the work.
Back to the question: the Christkindle wraps presents. Of course!

Colored or white lights?
White. Sometimes real candles.

Do you hang mistletoe?
Unfortunately this custom is more or less unknown in Germany. However, I remember one year my mom hang one. But the entire kissing thing is unknown here.

When do you put your decorations up?
On 1st of Advent I put up an "Adventskranz" (advent wreath), some candles, maybe some angels and "little" things. The christmas tree in Germany is put up on December 24th.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
All my Christmases were great. I have no special favorite.
Worst memory however was when my mom and I got stuck in an elevator on 2nd Christmas day because there was a blackout due to a heavy storm. We wanted to visit my grandparents (that's where the entire family meets on 2nd Christmas day).

What is your favorite holiday dish?
When I was younger my mom made a special pie on "Heiliger Abend" (christmas eve). The pie was filled with chicken, mushrooms, and a cream sauce. It's my favourite holiday dish. Unfortunately my mom doesn't prepare it anymore.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
What??? Santa isn't real???
Poor children in the northern part of Germany. Their parents are telling them lies. I'm so lucky to have the Christkind deliver them. And the Christkind is real, right?!
Well, I don't know how old I was. I guess about 7 or 8...

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Of course. In Germany every child gets his/her presents on Christmas Eve. Opening gifts on Christmas morning is unknown here.

How do you decorate your tree?
With white candles (uhm, the candles aren't white, but their light is), and ornaments.

Snow, Love it or Dread it?
I think I'm lucky to live in an area where we have warm summers and cold winters. And of course, a real Christmas needs snow. And I love snow. But, to be honest. If it went away right after christmas I wouldn't mind either.

Can you ice skate?
As graceful as an elephant.

Do you remember your favorite gift?
I still remember many, many gifts I got. But I can't select a favorite one.

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Seeing my family again. And it's a big reunion each year, because some relatives that live abroad are coming home for the holidays. And if I ever move to New York (keep your fingers crossed), I think I will come home for Christmas as well.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Uhm ... I like everything. But the typical Christmas sweets here in Germany like gingerbread and other "Weihnachtsbredla" (christmas cookies) are best.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Spending the holidays with the family. Lame answer, I know. But that's really the best part of Christmas.

What tops your tree?
Nothing.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
I like ... wait ... oh ... you're talking about presents. That's quite different.
I prefer receiving, because I'm very bad at finding gifts for somebody.

What is your favorite Christmas song?
Sounds odd, but I like the typical American ones best.

Candy canes, yuck or yum?
Uhm ... I'm not really into candy canes. But they're quite uncommon in Germany.

Do you like Christmas music?
Of course! I like traditional songs, but also new ones. And Last Christmas by Wham has a special meaning for me.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart... *sing*