Christmas Rituals - Kathleen O'Brien

I should know better than to agree to turn in a book right before Christmas. I try to stick to my working schedule. I really do. But, for me, the month of December is never long enough. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, and we have so many little rituals we have to fit into those three and a half weeks.


First, of course, there’s the tree-trimming and house decorating. Though we don’t go crazy, we do like to gather the whole family and put on the music and make it a party. There are at least three different houses to decorate, now that the “kids” have their own places. So it gets complicated!

Then, there’s the Mount Dora adventure http://www.mountdora.com/  that my daughter and I share each year. Mount Dora is a picturesque little lake community not far from where we live. We wander down the quaint downtown streets, stopping at our three or four favorite stores, and then we overeat horribly at the delicious English Tea Room. Half the fun is the drive itself, about forty-five minutes of silly talk, word games, and carols on the CD.

And if we don’t find time to work in a family viewing of “White Christmas,” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/  it just doesn’t feel right. We all make the same comments every year. I tear up over “Count Your Blessings,” making everyone groan. We argue over whether the dance bits are too long. The cynics complain that Bing Crosby is making a mistake by talking about his former general’s troubles on TV. Someone inevitably cringes at Vera Allen’s super skinny legs.

But we’re all on the same page—pure, sappy delight—when the finale begins. We smile or squee (depending, generally on our gender ) as the lodge doors open onto snow, and designer Edith Head’s red velvet, fur-lined dresses sway and glisten under the lights.

Luckily, my editor understands the call to family this season brings, and she’s offered me a short extension on the manuscript I owe her. So, though I’ll still be writing every day, I’ll have some breathing room for our most beloved holiday rituals.

What about you? Is there something your family does every year that you just can’t give up? Do you have a favorite holiday film that you never get sick of? A great recipe to share? I’d love to hear what you’re doing this December. I haven’t a minute to spare, truly, but…come on…tempt me!

And meanwhile, Happy Holidays to everyone! May your new year bring you peace, joy, health and love.