Christmas Quiz Meme

The Christmas Quiz (shamelessly stolen from Chambanachik who stole it from Jane.)

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Both. My homemade egg nog is a decadent treat - cooked custard and whipped egg whites and just the right amount of alcohol - it's almost a milk shake. And it tastes nothing like anything you buy pre-made in a carton. If it's really cold out, a Tom & Jerry is a good substitute.  It's essentially a hot egg nog.

Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White. I live in a fun house with a bunch of freaks but I don't want to advertise the fact with carnival-colored lights.

Do you hang mistletoe?

No, but I did when I lived in the South.  We'd shoot it out of the trees and bring it into the house for decoration.  It was prettier than a dead deer or pheasant hanging from the ceiling.

When do you put your decorations up?
Usually Thanksgiving Day, but some years, like this year,  not at all.

What is your favorite holiday dish?
It used to be Swedish ostkaka, a type of cheesecake made from raw milk.  A soft, but firm texture,  it was served in warm milk with sugar and cinnamon.  We can't get raw milk any more, so there is a recipe now using homogenized milk, but it doesn't taste the same as the original.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Going to my great-grandmother's big old house in the country on Christmas Eve.  She had seven children and they would all be there along with all their children and their children's children. Norwegian egg coffee would be warming on the stove in a granite ware pot as was a large pot of oyster stew. The dining table was over-flowing with other Norwegian specialties including lefse (with butter and sugar) and kringla.  All the little cousins had to perform, either speaking their lines from the church Christmas program or performing on the piano, or singing.  After that, Santa Claus arrived with a bag full of gifts, one for each of the children in attendance.  He always came through the front door; never down the chimney.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

Don't remember, but probably the same kid who told me that you get a baby by letting someone stick his tongue in your mouth.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
That's when we open ALL our gifts. Christmas morning is for sleeping.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
I start at the top and work my way down.

Snow! Love it or dread it?

Love it as long as it isn't a blizzard and I'm not out in it

Do you remember your favorite gift?

My high top white leather roller skates with wood wheels, with toe stoppers, pompoms and a metal carrying case.  Similar to this pair from Etsy:

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Cranberry trifle when I have time to make it

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Norwegian and Swedish foods - pickled herring, fruit soup, cheese with caraway, potato sausage, plus the Norwegian ones mentioned above, and more.

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?
When poked into an orange and used like a straw, yum.

Favorite Christmas movie?

The 1951 version of "Scrooge" with Alastair Sim

Saddest Christmas song?
Not a Christmas song, but close -

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride