What do you like about Christmas?

I've seen this on several blogs and have enjoyed reading the answers, so I thought I'd join in.

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Eggnog all the way. But only homemade or Organic Valley brand; the regular artificially flavored stuff is gross.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa sends boxes from Amazon. The stuff inside is unwrapped because it costs like $4 to have them wrap a book.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White. Because that's what was left and on sale after Christmas the year that I bought them.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, but I should. I like the idea of hanging mistletoe.
5. When do you put up your decorations?
Shortly after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
My family always had crackers with cheese and sausage at Christmastime; I don't remember any other out-of-the-ordinary dishes. Since being married we've sort of adopted latkes as a Christmas meal. If we're counting Thanksgiving (it does say "holiday"), then I'd be hard pressed to choose between the turkey, the sweet potatoes, the stuffing, and all the pies.
7. Favorite Christmas memory as a child?
I don't know that I can name one thing as a particular favorite; one year when we were young my parents filled the whole room with balloons. I always loved going downstairs and looking through my stocking. Everyone loves hearing my memories of being "drugged" with Benadryl every Christmas Eve so that we would sleep (we never did anyway).
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
From the start my parents always said "the pretend Santa Claus." That's what we plan to tell our children as well. I'm not anti-Santa, but I really think that parent-child trust can be broken by things like that. Even if my parents had told us there was a Santa Claus, I'm almost certain I wouldn't have believed them; I could always see through things like that even when I was very young.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Nope. My parents never gave in to the begging, and now that I'm older I know that the anticipation is half the fun.
10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas tree?
Hodgepodge. All the ornaments from when my husband and I were children, several miniature Starbucks mugs, several nutcrackers, a miniature knitting basket that a friend made for my family when I was in high school. Lots of miniature things, I now realize.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
Love it. I just hope we're stocked up on groceries so I can stay home and enjoy it instead of driving in it.
12. Can you ice skate?
I think I've ice skated twice, both sometime around junior high. I can probably stand up and scoot around a little.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
The thing that sticks out in my mind is the year each of us kids got a sleeping bag; I was probably about 7.
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
I really don't think I can name one thing. Spending time with my family and friends, the fact that the world stops and thinks about Jesus for a brief period, the Christmas candy (I know that sounds shallow but really, I would be very sad if I didn't have my Christmas baklava).
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Baklava. A wonderful tradition in my husband's family. I also like chocolate covered marshmallows, this is the only time of year I get them. (Okay, so they're not really a dessert, but oh well.)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
When I was a child we would drive around and look at Christmas lights. Now I think some of my favorites are getting together with friends to make chocolate truffles (though we skipped that this year) and all the various homemade candies.
17. What tops your tree?
A small beaded angel that my husband's Aunt Carol made.
18. What is your favorite holiday book?
I can't think of a favorite.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Pat-a-pan and Carol of the Bells. Not these versions, but you get the idea.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
Yummy, though the soft old-fashioned peppermint sticks are even yummier.