When I first started blogging and I saw the title “Meme” (pronounced “Meem” with one long e sound) on someone’s blog, I got all sentimental, because it made me think about my grandmother, who we affectionately called “Meme” (pronounced Mee-Mee with two syllables and two long e sounds) and I thought we would get to share our favorite memories of our “Memes” or our grandmas. Seriously.
I was wrong. 🙂
So back in 2008, “memes” were really popular, and as a relatively new blogger, of course I was into all of that and stuff… so I posted the title “A Christmas Meme” and before I could type anything else, I remember it making me laugh out loud when I thought about posting a picture of my “Meme” all dressed up for Christmas. 🙂  I don’t know if anyone else would have thought that was funny or not, but I sure did.  —
And still do, because I came across that old post the other day, and laughed out loud again.  And then I missed my Meme.
Here she is with her daughter (my mom) and my mom’s daughter (me) and my son (Nathan)… four generations together.  And since it’s Christmas again- I guess we could call her a Christmas Meme? 😉
But for any of you who were like me, and thought this post was about my grandmother, here is the real definition of a Meme: “In the context of web logs / ‘blogs / blogging and other kinds of personal web sites, it’s some kind of list of questions that you saw somewhere else and you decided to answer the questions. Then someone else sees them and does them and so on and so on… Some suggest that you get five other people to do the same meme and they have to get five people, etc.”
So, back in 2008, one of my first blogging friends, Kim Kopp (who is now a friend IRL – In Real Life) my friend tagged me for this Christmas Meme, and just for fun, I thought I would repost it here. {Tagging was when a blogger named other bloggers who were to re-post the questions in the Meme and answer them, then name other bloggers to do the same.}
But since “tagging” is SO Yesterday (said in a most dramatic voice), these questions could be used as a fun ice breaker at a party or as a get-to-know-you game, or they would be super to use as a “how-well-do-you-know-your-spouse/friend” game or even funnier in a Christmas-themed “Newley Wed Game”.
In seven years, my answers have barely changed. 😉  How would you answer these questions?
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Can I say both?
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa leaves stockings with little fun things in them for everyone in the family, and the rest of the gifts come from Mom and Dad and each other. We enjoy Santa, but he has never been the “Big” event of Christmas at our house.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Yes, but in a dried form and we use it from year to year. It hangs in the door between our dining room and living room, but hardly anyone stands under it for a kiss except our daughter. 🙂
5. When do you put your decorations up?
We’re early birds in this area. Because Thanksgiving weekend is always full with extended family, we put up our tree, and decorate the house in mid-November. And we wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate the porch.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
I think I like the dressing best.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child:
My dad was the “Santa Claus” for our little town. My favorite memories include him in his Santa suit and our family and family friends driving around town surprising people with a visit from Santa and Christmas Carolers.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
My grandfather let it slip one day when we were at a store and he said, “that’s where your mom and dad got your bike.” 🙂
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
We open one gift. Growing up, the three children in my family opened one of our gifts from each other. Now, our family gets new pjs each Christmas Eve.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
With ornaments collected each year representing something significant in the lives of each family member, lots of Angels, Nativities, Santas, and tons of Hallmark collectables.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it because when it snows here, everything shuts down and we get a day to stay home in our pjs and watch movies all day. 🙂
12. Can you ice skate?
No, but my children can a little.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I have been blessed with so many wonderful gifts, each year there is always something special. My husband does a beautiful job of listening and observing and giving me something I will enjoy.
14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
The extra things we do to celebrate the birth of Jesus and our Redemption through Him.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Fudge
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Driving around town looking at lights and listening to Christmas music.
17. What tops your tree?
An angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Again… can I like both??? I’m a Sanguine! It’s fun to give and it’s fun to receive.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Joy to the World
20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum?
Yum.
21. What do you want for Christmas?
A peace-filled, rest-filled, slow-paced time with my family.
22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party?
We attend parties, but no “annual” ones. We used to host an annual Christmas party, and life got too busy. I hope to get back to that in the future.
23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs?
We’re always with family, so we start off in PJs, then we dress for the day.
24. Do you own a Santa hat?
Yes, quite a few. And some elf hats and Rudolph antlers, too.
25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?
We always spend it with my mom, and the rest of my extended family gets together either that day or the days around it.
It was fun to think back on some of these things and to process them this year. I think I’ll ask these questions to my husband and children over dinner one night this week. It will stimulate some fun conversation! Thanks for the memories, Kim!
