Ghosts of Christmas Past & Present

Joe tagged me with a Christmas meme. Would love to see some others' answers, so feel free to play along. Don't contribute to the pending coal crisis!

Egg nog or hot chocolate? I haven’t had either in years.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? It wouldn't be a Southern California Christmas if even St. Nick covered up his 'gifts,' now would it?
Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored, and the tackier the better. Bubble lights, anyone?
Do you hang mistletoe? No. In fact, last time I found myself standing under it, it turned out to be plastic...talk about a cheap shot.
When do you put your decorations up? By Dec. 10 every year.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My cinnamon palmiers and peanut brittle. I know it isn’t technically a “dish” but I usually eat enough to co-op my next meal.
Favorite holiday memory as a child? One year my little sister drove her new bike into the tree and it fell over, spilling ornaments everywhere. My parents were so mad they told all four of us to fix it. Well, we decided we’d show them and intentionally hid all the fancy balls inside the tree, leaving only loose light strands hanging off the outside branches. Then we balled up leftover wrapping papers, ribbons and bows and threw them at the tree to see where they stuck. It turned out to be a true work of art -- one that my highly amused parents pretended not to appreciate.
When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Truth? What truth?!
Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? I don’t, but my daughters open their gift from a very dear old friend known as The Pajama Man because for almost 20 years that’s what he’s gifted them.
How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Entirely with homemade kids ornaments, gifts, heirlooms and cheap balls, along with mismatched garland and gaudy lights.
Snow! Love it or dread it? I used to love it, back when a White Christmas was possible.
Can you ice skate? Hey, I didn’t grow up in Connecticut for nothing.
Do you remember your favorite gift? They all could count here. Most unusual was a set of car tires that my parents actually wrapped and put under the tree when I was in college.
What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? A universal belief, however fleeting, that everything will be better next year.
What is your favorite holiday dessert? My Dutch apple pie.
What is your favorite holiday tradition? Exchanging holiday cards with old friends.
What tops your tree? An angel, but only because the multicolored glow-and-glitter star bought at a drug store finally flamed out this year.
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving. Definitely. I’m more excited for people to open my gifts than I am my own.
What is your favorite Christmas song? It’s a tie between “Carol of the Bells” and “O Holy Night.”
Candy canes? Sure, just don't tell my dentist.
Favorite Christmas movie? “It’s a Wonderful Life”
What do you leave for Santa? The Visa bill.