Simple Christmas Countdown {day 24}
Please welcome Angie Lucas from Ella Publishing to the blog today!
Writing is hard. It’s difficult even for me, a lifelong “word nerd” who earned a Bachelor’s degree in professional writing and has worked as a full-time writer/editor for 12 years. (Case in point: I can’t even count how many different introductory sentences I wrote before settling on the three words you see at the start of this post.)
Many professional writers I know love to trot out this quote:
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”
–Thomas Mann
Why would this be? Because we do it more. So we are well acquainted with the struggle it can be to find words that adequately describe our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Likewise, only marathon runners truly know how difficult it is to run a marathon. The rest of us haven’t a clue.
But the good news is that there are lots of ideas and tips out there to help make writing easier for everyone. (As for running a marathon, I’m not so sure.) Today, I’m going to share just one tip, and I hope you’ll take it to heart this holiday season.
Write in the Moment
After college, I took a 5-week tour of Europe, and I faithfully kept a journal along the way. It was there that I clearly grasped the value of in-the-moment writing. I have entries that begin, “We are driving through the lush, green Italian countryside right now…” or “I’m sitting on my quaint little balcony in Florence, looking out over countless red rooftops…” I would pull out my journal out while waiting for a subway train in London, while sitting in respectful silence at the Vatican, or while cruising through the Austrian Alps on a double-decker tour bus. As I read back through this journal, the memories flood back in vivid detail.
I’ve continued this in-the-moment tradition ever since. I wrote in my journal on the night before my wedding and on the plane ride home from my honeymoon. I frequently write on New Year’s Eve or other major holidays. And I love to pull out paper and pen on Christmas Eve. Here’s a word-for-word entry from 1998, when I was home from college to spend the holidays with my parents:
Me and my little sister, Michele, goofing off in front of the Christmas Tree.
“I love Christmas Eve. I’m sitting in front of our Christmas tree, which is covered with ornaments I’ve loved since early childhood, plus the gingerbread men Michele and I baked last week. Our family has just finished reading the Christmas story in the book of Luke—all of us piled on mom and dad’s bed, since dad’s back keeps him in a reclined position—followed by Mom’s narration of The Littlest Angel, a children’s book that is larger than life, as most children’s books are. Dad kept checking to see how many pages were left, but in the end I think he was touched. We are all more apt to believe in children’s stories on this night.
“A past performance of a BYU choir is playing on the television. Sueki is writhing at my feet, begging me to scratch her belly. She’s just had her Christmas bath, and she’s sporting two plaid bows just above her ears. Me? I’m in my traditional Christmas Eve present—new pajamas. This year, they are baby-blue flannel with a man-style button-front top and pants that are just a little bit too big. I look quite cuddly if I do say so myself.
“The family is getting a computer this year, with a color printer and a scanner. I’m excited because it may get me really writing again. No, it WILL. I’ll never be an electronic-journal girl, though. I like the feel of a handwritten journal—handwriting can reveal much about a person. Perhaps I would be more articulate were I typing this and editing along the way. But it’s more honest this way.
“Merry Christmas. What a magical night.”
I plan to write again this Christmas Eve—and yes, it’s perfectly okay that I haven’t written a word in that journal since October—while I cuddle my sweet new baby girl in front of the fireplace. Care to join me? As demonstrated above, all you have to do is look around you and describe the things you see. But don’t forget to look within you, too.
Happy holidays!
Angie Lucas is a professional writer and editor who owns Ella Publishing Co. and also maintains a personal blog (“Yeah, Write”) at angielucas.com.
GIVEAWAY
Leave a comment on this post describing one thing you love about the holidays (any of them!), we’ll pick two winners who’ll receive Quick & Creative Quizzes and Journaling That Matters (both co-written and edited by Angie Lucas) from Ella Publishing Co.
Good luck everyone! Giveaway closes
Thursday 12/23/10 at 8pm MST.
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
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I love the togetherness…all of the gatherings with family and friends. I wish they happened more often than once a year!
I love having time with my boys while they are off school. We can hang out and do nothing, we can shop, we can talk, etc. all without worrying about how much homework there is to get done that will prevent us from doing all of the above.
Great contest! 😉
I love going with my family to our to see Zoo Lights at the Portland, Oregon zoo! It’s a magical time/place and helps us really get into the Christmas Spirit!
Merry Christmas Rebecca! Hope you and your family have a wonderfully WARM holiday on your little island!
~ Kathy C (Hillsboro, OR)
My favorite part of Christmas is that all the little, lovely parts fit under the gigantic whole that Jesus loved us so much He squeezed into human form…merry Christmas everyone!
I love this post. I’m totally inspired now. Thank you, Angie! I usually only write in my journal when something really horrible or really awesome happens. These days, I don’t think to just sit back and write about what’s going on around me.
I really love the Christmas stories that are told in book form and in movies. I think they truly bring the spirit of Christmas into my home.
(I just read The Littlest Angel to my daughter a few days ago. Who knew a children’s book could choke a person up? It was pretty moving.)
Merry Christmas!
I am loving creating the magic for my young boys – visiting Santa, driving around to see all the lights, making cookies, decorating the tree, and hanging the stockings. Their excitement is contagious!!
I love the magical feeling of Christmas that keep my family together.
I love my kids’ excitement on Christmas Eve and when they get up to see what Santa brought!! Love it and looking forward to it!!!
I love spending time with my family and focusing on Christ! He gave us the greatest gift of all and I love taking time to remember that and teach my family what is important.
The thing I love most about the Christmas season is that it celebrates the birth of Jesus! How incredible that he loved us so much that he came as a baby and willingly endured what he did to bring us salvation.
I love that I notice more during December – I am more aware of goodness, family, friends & giving. Kristi B
What do I love about the Holiday? And please note, I love all of this about THIS.SPECIFIC.HOLIDAY.
I’ve always been a Christmas baby (even got myself born on 12/18!). I love EVERTHING about This Holiday.
I love the music, the lights, the decorations, the snow, the good will towards men – I LOVE IT ALL.
And wouldn’t I just LOVE to win a copy of Journaling That Matters, to help me get this all down in writing??? YES, I WOULD!
I love our family traditions that tie us to the memories of past holidays and our loved ones who are no longer here on earth. Making my Grandmother’s stuffing always leads to stories about how the bread had to be pinched just so and laughter when we all admit that although we thought she was being silly, we all do it the same way now. Decorating the tree and remember the story of each ornament and how much the past and present are connected by a fine thread that is more important than the commercial push to buy, buy, buy Christmas.
I love how a family can come together once a year to spend it enjoying each others company. We have a special santa ornament on the tree that is hidden and we always try to be the first to locate it.
One of the things I love most about this time of year is the smell. I know it may sound strange to most, but the smell of cabbage rolls cooking is “Christmas” to me. My mother is Hungarian and that is a traditional dish that she made every Christmas. Now she lives 2 Provinces away and I’m going to try my hand at making some this Christmas, to bring her here in some small way 🙂
I love the display of lights. While traveling down the highway I see farms that had christmas lights on their various buildings and it is that simple sight that sends joy straight to my heart.
I love the display of lights. While traveling down the highway I see farms that had christmas lights on their various buildings and it is that simple sight that sends joy straight to my heart.
I love spending time with family, and celebration the birth of our Savior!!!
How can I say just one thing I love about Christmas, impossible! It just can’t be done.
The crisp air, the lights, the decor, the birth of Jesus, the shopping, time with family and friends, the love, the good will, the food, the songs, the gifts, crafting, the traditions, the baking, the singing,the Christmas shows…….
I love my moms cooking. Even though I’m not making it up home this year, I’m trying to copy her Christmas eve traditions of Chinese food and appetizers. I just love being with family and watching the kids light up as Santa comes through the door to visit!
Oh, and on the journaling note, I write everyday, and have over 15 hand-written journals. I’d love to check out that book she has! Cute idea Rebecca. Thanks.
I love that holidays are special. You get to pull out special decorations, use special dishes, sing special songs, do special activities. I love all the special days in the year!
My favorite thing about Christmas is my 4 kids sitting around the Christmas tree in new PJ’s drinking their eggnog milkshakes, listening to my hubby reading the Christmas story from the Bible.
Only one word is necessary to describe what I love about the holidays. Family.
I love that my hubby and children are here all day long, for days on end. Wish it could always be like that!
I love the glow of a tree-lit room. I love time to have my husband home from work and getting to have our whole family together.
I love everything. I would love to win the journaling book!
Awesome post! Brings back Christmas memories I had almost forgotten and shows the importance of journaling ‘in the moment’! Christmas and family go hand in hand.
My favorite thing is spending time with family…togetherness is such a huge part of the holidays!
I love Christmas, reason because it’s for everyone. There’s not one person blowing out the candles, everyone is of value and everyone shares the love! Christmas = Everybody = Joy
Seriously my favorite part of is a secret tradition that I have had for years and it involves only me. Late Christmas Eve after everyone else is asleep, I sneak into the living room and take a picture of the Christmas tree with all the gifts! Sounds cheesy but it is so peaceful and quiet and CLEAN. The tree is surrounded by over two dozen nativities too so I can sit and reflect the blessing of the Lord’s birth and all He has done for me!
One of the things I love about the holidays is the multitude of smiles that I see wherever I go.In the mall, at the grocery store, at the service station and at friends homes, smiles are the order of the day.
I love- love Christmas!!! Our family celebrate two Christmas’s. I am a Slovak girl, so we celebrate Slovak Christmas on Christmas Eve with all our slovak traditions and and on Christmas day we celebrate American Christmas….our kids absolutely love this time of the year! Love all the traditions, decorating, singing, baking, togetherness and seeing kids sparkles in their eyes when they opening their presents:)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I didn’t have many traditions surrounding Christmas when I was growing up, so creating family traditions with my children these last few years has been one of my favorite things about the holiday. Their excitement over the simple things – the lights, the snow, the baking, the books, our nutcracker collection – have brought so much pleasure to the holiday.
I love the time spent with family. Family members come from out of town and everyone enjoys being together.
We as a family have several traditions I love, but the one I think I love the most are the homemade advent calendars my two sons have on their bedroom doors. I slip small pieces of paper in the correct pocket each night while they’re sleeping, and then listen for my youngest son, who is seven, get out of bed in the morning take the piece of paper out of its pocket, read it, and come running into our bedroom, where he tells us what it says. We act surprised even though he knows we know what it says. Usually the slips say things like, “Let’s make a Christmas craft today!” or “Please help me make cookies today!” or “Surprise activity today!” etc.
My sons remind me in mid-November to get the Advent calendars out, in preparation for December 1.
This makes me very happy!
Pam K.
What do I love most? The Anticipation…..the giddy happiness that fills the house for the entire month of December. Although chaos abounds during this time, and there is always a full schedule, there is a happy excitement that makes everything buzz.
I love decorating the house for christmas!
I love the suspense that leads up through Christmas Eve night. For some reason, which I totally get, this holiday is the most magical of them all!
I love the twinkling lights of Christmas, the warm fuzzy feelings when you are with family and the delectable smells of Christmas candy.
My favourite part of the holidays is that I get to spend them with my college age kids. And of course,I love getting two weeks off along with them!
I am a recent widow. So for me Christmas this year is about memories. Memories that will carry me through the holidays without the love of my life. Memories of my son being so excited each Christmas morning.He is now 30! Memories of my Momma,Daddy and brother who have also gone on to heaven.Memories I have journaled and can lovingly reflect on and feel Peace,joy and love. No…it will not be easy…but my memories and my Jesus will get me through to make new memories this Christmas.
One thing that I love about the holidays is family and being silly. There is something about holidays that make adults revert to children and I LOVE it.
Allie
I love all the togetherness at Christmas, and all the simple things seem like magic. Love a lit-up Christmas tree and reading books by it. So much to love this time of year. I love the journaling idea, would be so neat to win it. Thank you Rebecca and Have a Merry Christmas with your family.
I love seeing all of my family.
I’ve lost the Christmas spirit over the years, unfortunately. Often it takes until the last few days before that I even start enjoying it. Then I see something that makes me stop and remember what is important. People giving to others, stories of kindness and generosity-and then I realize how incredibly fortunate I am. It’s then that I’m able to shake off the Scrooge-like feelings I’d been having and open my own heart – and wallet – and give, then give some more. Because as much as it helps the person or people I’m giving to, it comes back to me in the form of hope and humility. It’s about getting out of my own way and seeing the bigger picture. Time with family, good food, time off work. It’s all good, and important-and worth celebrating.
I love the Christmas lights and talking walks with my family to enjoy them!
I also love time spent with family and friends.
I love this idea of journaling on Christmas Eve. I am not a good writer but I have a daughter who is. Although she is only 17 she is still her own worst critic when it comes to her writing.
I love the Christmas lights – on the street corners,on the store fronts,on the houses and trees – but most of all the ones on my own Christmas tree when everything is dark and quiet. Magical!!!
I love being together with our families and sharing memories that we remember through the years!! It would be great to write them all down!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
I love christmas baking. I love to bake!
I love the anticipation and the preparations, all leading to a day and half of special celebrations that happen only once a year. I can’t imagine my life without Christmas.
I love that my family is home with me…all day, everyday. Thanks for the chance to win either of these awesome tools!
Well, I love traditions…so doing anything that is “traditinal” or making new traditions with my family makes me happy! But, also, i will admit, as a teacher (of 24 smart, sweet children), I also love having time off to be with my own 3 smart, sweet children!!! 🙂 Thanks, Rebecca. 🙂
Amy in CA
There is so much to love at this time of the year… holiday lights, sweet treats, taking the kids to see Santa, snow. What I look forward to the most is being with family.
i have been writing every day in December. I have never done that before, and I am loving it!
Great post and reminder to “journal in the moment.” I just wish I would have done this years ago. We love watching classic Christmas movies with the family and trying to be the first one to quote the lines before anyone else.
I love the fact that for just a little time, we all slow down and relish the time we have together. With 1 22 year old, 3 teens, and a tweener in the house, we are all coming and going constantly. But at Christmas, we are all home and can just enjoy each other before it’s back to reality.
Wow… there’s so much to love about Christmas! I have to say though my favorite thing is all the extra family time! My husband gets 2 weeks off and it’s such a joy to spend that time together with our 2 small children. Such precious memories! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Thanksgiving. Besides the food, it is a day that directs our thoughts to the One who gives us all good things. Next favorite is, of course, Christmas Eve. I love the candle light services. Oh yeah, as a kid we always opened our presents on Christmas Eve. Mamma said it was because Daddy couldn’t wait till morning!
I love all the Christmas parties we get to go to this time of year, having fun with friends you donb’t see very often. Of course it also means great food!
This year I am having a tonne of fun creating some gifts for my family, but what I love most of all the sharing of a meal with my family and the blobbing out together after over eating. LOL
I love the smells of Thanksgiving, the lights at Christmas, the chocolate at Easter, the patriotism of July 4, The love on Valentines Day, the costumes of Halloween, The reminiscing and looking ahead on New Years Eve!
I love Christmas morning, the anticipation and the holding-your-breath to see if they like their gifts. I love the quiet between gifts and brunch, the happy-contented murmurings as they explore their gifts (and munch on christmas lollies), while I prepare fresh summer fruit and cheese platters in the kitchen nearby. I love Christmas Day.
I love being surrounded by family throughout the holiday season–it seems like every other night there is a holiday party of some type, and it’s constant immersion in the season.