Christmas Meme

I've stolen this from Emma's blog (numbers 1 to 10) and have added a few extras to it :)

1. Favorite holiday destination?

We always celebrate Christmas and New Year at home with just us (me, my parents, my younger brother and sometimes my older brother) and my nan. We'll have to take Christmas to her in hospital this year though.

2. Any family traditions?

We usually put our Christmas tree and decorations up on Dec 13th (as that was my grandma's birthday), but were late this year because I was in hospital on the 13th. Last year dad went to Tesco late on Christmas Eve and got some real bargains (including a few turkeys for 10% of their original price), so he's going to do that again this year. My older brother's birthday is on Christmas Eve. I watch a film called The Greatest Store In The World every year just before Christmas (watched it this evening) :)

3. Favorite ornament or decoration?

We only really have a Christmas tree, which we decorate with lights, baubles, bells and also mini knitted jumpers, hats and mittens this year - you can tell my mum is obsessed with knitting! :P We never ever put tinsel on our Christmas tree. Then we also have something that I can't remember the name of :P It sits on our kitchen windowsill and is wooden and in a triangle shape and it holds 9 tealights.

4. What are you doing for the holidays?

This year my older brother Chris and his girlfriend Sophie are planning to come round to see us tomorrow (Christmas Eve) morning because it'll be Chris' 30th birthday! I also plan to watch Love Actually tomorrow :) And I may also have to make a trip to the orthodontist at Hosp A in the city because my braces broke this evening, but I'm hoping they'll say to leave it til after Christmas. On Christmas Day we'll just have a lazy morning and then sometime in the afternoon we'll take Christmas to my nan in hospital. Then we'll come home and watch Doctor Who and maybe some other Christmas TV :D

5. Are you a late or early Christmas shopper?

Early, as I like to be organised. It also means that I can be smug when everyone else is doing their last minute panicking :P

6. Who usually cooks holiday dinners?

Mum, but we don't have traditional Christmas dinner, just a meal which we'll all enjoy :)

7. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?

I remember going carol singing round the village with my best friend when I was much younger, but remember going back home when we went past my house because it was past my bedtime and I was exhausted! I used to love being in school Christmas plays when I was at primary school and had a lead role when I was in year 6 :D

8. Do you live where it snows?

It doesn't often snow here and when it does it doesn't usually settle. I do remember in February 2007 I was admitted to Hosp B unexpectedly after my blood results were abnormal at my first outpatient clinic after my transplant. Dad stayed in with me and mum went home in the car, promising to return the next day on the train with some overnight things for me as I'd not got anything with me. Then heavy snow fell and mum couldn't get to us as all the trains were cancelled and roads were treacherous! We've had some snow this year, but I don't think it'll stay til Christmas.

9. Three things that makes you happiest at Christmas?

Being with my family and being cosy and warm. Hmm, what else? Oh yes, good Christmas TV :D

10. What do you want most for Christmas?
I would most like for all those currently waiting for organ transplants (such as Jess who is in hospital at the moment and may be in ITU over Christmas) to receive their gifts of life ASAP. You can sign up here. I would like the doctors to find out what is wrong with my nan and then fix it so she can get home again. And I would like all my family and friends (including those in the transplant and ME communities) to have good/better health. I'd like my post transplant health to remain stable, my ME to not get any worse and my tummy pains to get better.

Present-wise there's nothing I particularly want or have asked for, so whatever I get will be lovely :)

11. What are your favourite Christmas films?
The Greatest Store In The World, Love Actually, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, The Snowman and Elf :D

12. What are your favourite Christmas songs?
My ultimate favourite is Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. But I also like Last Christmas by Wham, Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin Stevens and Step Into Christmas by Elton John.

13. What is your least favourite Christmas song?
I can't stand All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey!