I've Been Tagged!

.... by my friend Mother Of Many, so here are the results:

"When people say 'Christmas' you immediately think..."
Ah - at least a week off work - bliss! I know my first thought should be about celebrating the birth of Jesus, and that is very high in my thoughts, but I guess I'm just not that holy yet. I have also been working way too hard lately.

"Favourite Christmas memory..."
Getting my Scalectrix set when I was a boy. I must have played with it for about 6 hours that day, and played with it every day for many weeks afterwards, then sporadically for several years.

"Favourite Christmas song/carol..."
Fairytale of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty McColl, closely followed by Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade. I love most of the traditional carols, however for some unfathomable reason the powers-that-be in my Church decided some time ago that they would "improve" some of the tunes, so I simply refuse to sing the "improved" versions on principle.

"Favourite Christmas movie..."
It's A Wonderful Life - I watch it every Christmas.

"Favourite Christmas character..."
Why, Santa Claus of course. Even though I try to stay aware of the true reason why Christians celebrate Christmas I still enjoy giving and receiving presents. I do also love Frank Spencer playing the angel in the Some Mothers Do Have 'Em Christmas special, which my children insist we watch every year too.

"Favourite Christmas ornament/object..."
Christmas tree lights - I just love them.

"Plans for this Christmas..."
I plan to chill out completely, play games with my children, go for walks etc. - in fact anything apart from working.

"Is Christmas your favourite holiday?"
No. I love my annual holiday with my family in Ireland. My wife, Betty, has a large family over there and I always love spending time with them, relaxing in the slow pace of life in Southern Ireland, enjoying the unspoilt scenery, renewing friendships, watching my children enjoying playing with their cousins etc. I do enjoy Christmas very much though.