Every year, about this time, I ponder what makes the season special. I suspect a lot of people do that, so I’m not unique. But my perspective on the season is unique. As is yours. I’m not one of those people who looks to the past a lot. But this time of year seems to be the exception. For me, Scrooge-like, the magic of the season is enhanced by Christmas past. I move through my day with one part of my brain tied to fond, seasonal memories. The way the tree looked surrounded by all those pretty packages on Christmas morning when I was a kid; the memory of singing in the church choir at candlelight services when I got a little older; people we've lost along the way and past gifts given and received that were special…for whatever reason.
It’s hard to pinpoint why I love Christmas so much. Despite the rush of added tasks and projects, the extra work involved in getting or making gifts, the pull of emotion the season engenders, I can’t help feeling its magic. Maybe I like it so much because it brings out the best in me.
As a creative person, I think my perception of this time of year has been formed by creative things--baking, movies, music, books. Every year my daughters and I bake cookies to send to family across the country, just to let them know we're thinking about them. It's a special time in so many ways and I cherish every minute of it.
We also love going to Christmas themed movies. This year my hero and I are looking forward to the new Night at the Museum movie, which has become one of our favorite movie series, and the fact that they always release around Christmas time makes them a special part of our tradition.
Every year I buy a new Christmas ornament and add it to my collection of treasured ornaments from family and friends, giving me a nice mix of old and new. And each Christmas I look for a new Christmas music CD. This year I bought a truly gorgeous mix of tunes from an outrageously talented A Cappella Band named Pentatonix:
Don't you just LOVE the Bass in this? Wow!
In addition to my tradition of seeking out and surrounding myself with creative things at Christmas time, I always find myself inspired to write something having to do with Christmas. This year I wrote HoHo Honeybun, Book 5 in my Honeybun Fever romantic suspense series. If you're looking for a fun and fast paced book to get you in the Christmas/holiday spirit, this might be just the thing!
Happy Holidays, Everybody!
He just wants her to take life a little more seriously. She’s decided he could have a point. Especially now that somebody wants her dead.
Dolfe Honeybun broke up with Blaise Runa because her party girl ways were driving him to distraction. Unfortunately, out of sight does NOT mean out of mind. And when his favorite party girl sees something she shouldn’t and finds herself being chased by a cold blooded killer… reason shuts down and Dolfe’s heart takes over. If only he can get to her in time!
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PWZ77Y0
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-hohohoneybun-1682895-149.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/494760
Have a wonderful magical Christmas Sam. I loved the song on the video. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite holiday movies are a mix of old and new but the one that always kicked off the season for me was "It's a Wonderful Life". Over the years we added "Scrooged" with Bill Murray and a few others but I think IAWL will always be my favorite. Have a wonderful holiday, season!
Thank you Sam for sharing your memories. I also am caught up in the past during this time of year. Maybe it's because so many of my family is no longer with me, but I love to remember those happier times.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
So many fond memories always make Xmas special to me. Wonderful Life is my favorite Xmas movie too. Happy holidays to everyone...
ReplyDeleteIt's a Wonderful Life is my favorite Christmas movie, too, Sam. The Christmas CD was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAround the holidays I always think of the beautiful memories of the people I loved and who are departed. There's some sadness that those days aren't still here.