Thursday Threesome

::Candy canes and Peppermint sticks::

Onesome: Candy canes-- Treat of the Christmas season or something you just never got into? (Oh, and "traditional" or with green stripes for the aficionados out there ?)

I used to love candy canes, but now I always end up cutting my tongue, or otherwise injuring myself with them. I think I liked them as a child primarily because we didn't really get too much store-bought candy at Christmas. Mom made dozens and dozens of cookies every year though, and...mmmmm...fudge. I love fudge.

When I eat candy canes, I ONLY eat the red/white kind. Those with the green stripe...taste like Nyquil.

Oh, and that story about candy canes and Jesus...give me a break, ok?

Twosome: and Peppermint-- or cinnamon scented candles and such? Which do you prefer when you walk into a home or business this time of year? ...or maybe even fresh evergreen from a real tree?

I love the smell of fir/pine, freshly cut (or really, any wood, freshly cut--brings back memories of my dad's shop); unfortunately, I'm allergic to it. I like cinnamon better than peppermint, although since I now have 4 cinnamon scented candles--several of them were gifts--I'm getting very tired of it!

Threesome: sticks-- ..or schtick? ..or even maybe kitsch? Yeah, what is your most un-favorite piece of Christmastime memorabilia? That display at the hardware store? The "Simpsons Nativity"? That ornament you made in third grade that still ends up on the tree each year? Inquiring minds and all that...

Far too many kitschy things about this season to name...I'll stick with stuff that we do that I kind of wish we could stop: the Macy's Parade, obligatory viewing on network TV of Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Grinch (the original ONLY), and {{shudder}} Frosty the Snowman (both). I hate them.

As for aged ornaments, this year I didn't hang the wooden set of ornaments I painted when I was 12, nor did I put up the set of plastic bells that I've had on my Christmas trees since before I remember. There are a quite a few ornaments that I just left in the boxes. And the tree actually looks much better for it!

Now that I've Grinched, I'll say what my favorite parts of Christmas are:
1) Candlelight service at church, when we sing Silent Night and the electric lights go out and the congregation turns sideways and faces each other across the aisle.
2) Watching kids open presents. If you don't have kids, the whole day is sort of a let-down.
3) Not having to get dressed or go anywhere all day. [Not that we've had this luxury for several years...but I really like it!]