December 3, 2007 • Print This Post
The thing about writers is that it’s hard for us to rush through anything, except maybe copyedits. Take setting up my Dickens village. You know those houses and figures right out of Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers.
Over the years my village has grown into a metropolis, filled with people, animals, carts, stage coaches. Last year, I didn’t even take it out. Instead, I put together a seaside village of just a few pieces and wrote right through the holidays.
This year my daughter was adamant. So the storage boxes were brought up from the basement and each piece was lovingly taken out of its Styrofoam box. Days later, I have one street completed, while I contemplate such questions as: Should the poultry woman stand outside the Poulterer’s Store or should she travel door to door selling her chickens?
Each year, the master of Brownlow Manor waves to his children as they go out to sled. Haven’t they grown after all these years? Should I change their names and send them to another family? Maybe, Mr. Brownlow should be welcoming guests. Who would they be? Friends come to stay for the holidays? His grown children, now married with children of their own?
But the big question is will I have everyone’s story and place in the village decided before Christmas is over.
What are your December rituals?
In keeping with the holiday, I’ll randomly choose someone to send a copy of A Very Merry Christmas, the anthology that includes my Christmas novella, “Bah Humbug, Baby.”
May your month be merry and bright. And all your holidays be right.
UPDATE!!
MERRY HO-HO TREN !!!
Send me an email at Gemma@gemmabruce.com and I’ll get your present in the mail.
Posted by Gemma Bruce @ 6:10 am • Filed under: Gemma Bruce
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The first thing that is always put up in our house is the Nativity. From there it’s anything goes with the decorations. My kids put out their wooden shoes for St. Nicholas on Dec 6th. And we will attend Christmas Eve service at church.
This year I will be hosting two separate Christmas meals at my house. My husband’s parents and sister are coming over at lunch and then my parents and my sister and her family are coming over for dinner. The good thing about this is we won’t have to drag our kids everywhere on Christmas day. The bad thing—I can’t cook! Well, I can make a few dishes, but not much. Everyone is suppose to pitch in and help and my husband said he would handle the lunch portion so hopefully it will go well.
Hi, Gemma!
Our favorite December ritual is driving around looking for elaborate Christmas light displays. My two young children squeal with delight at each new discovery. Such fun!
Tren
When my kids were small we used to take them around and look at the Christmas light displays. I still find that I love the lights at this time of the year, and am disappointed when the lights all come down - because it makes the nights so dark and dreary.
December rituals: bake the White Christmas Cake that Mom used to bake and share with family who all loved it and still do.
Put outside the lighted reindeer and the BIG lighted snowman that says HAPPY HOLIDAYS. I love driving around looking at the Christmas light displays others have up.
You mean besides constantly repairing the damage done to the Christmas tree and presents by my two cats?
Shopping is on the agenda for most days in December. We’ll start picking up groceries in about two weeks for the big feast.
Our ritual is getting the outdoor lights out of the attic and get them put up.
I enjoy taking out our decorations too and remembering when we got the different pieces.
I started a tree trimming tradition. It started with a single uncle who really didn’t have anyone for Christmas and now it’s up to ten people - we watch Christmas Vacation, snack and drink and have a wonderful time and I serve a nice dinner. My two girls have always had this tradition and I couldn’t dare stop it lol. My nephew and his wife now attend and my one daughter’s fiance and my other daughter’s boyfriend and the uncle has had a steady girl for over 20 years. Gee I guess I’ve been doing this now for 37 years!!! wow lol.
I love christmas anthologies
Isn’t the season great? So many things to do and enjoy for everyone. And Susan, I can relate to your cat situation. I have two myself. They just love all those shiny ornaments, and know that I put them on the tree just for them.
Our tradition is on Christmas morning when my mom bakes fresh bread and makes pepperpot. The smells that fill the house are so great, we just know its Christmas!
One of our Christmas rituals is doing the Twelve Days of Christmas and giving surprise gifts.