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19 December

Blink Blog: Christmas Plans and Traditions

Christmas is less than a week away! Curious what our Blink authors are reading this holiday season? How about their Christmas traditions and plans? Keep reading to get the full scoop on what Christmas looks like for them.

Any reading on your list for the holiday season?

Jonathan Friesen: Nope, but I’m going to write. I am going to write an entire novel in December. There, I said it. Now I have to do it.

Evangeline Denmark:  Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. The first in the series, Six of Crows, was one of my favorite reads of 2015!

Lorie Langdon: Books always make up a big portion of my Christmas list. This year I’m on a historical fiction kick, so I’m hoping to read; REBEL BELLE by Rachel Hawkins, EXILE FOR DREAMERS by Kathleen Baldwin, and A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS, a compilation of short stories by multiple YA authors.

Stephanie Morrill: I’m hoping this is the year I will actually read A Christmas Carol. I’ve seen the movie loads of times, and I’ve owned the book for years, but I’ve yet to read it. Though I just received a notice that Ally Carter is releasing a Heist Society novella this holiday season, so poor Dickens may get bumped yet again…

Christina June: Nothing in particular.

What are your plans for this Christmas season?

Jonathan Friesen: Well, I’m going to write. I imagine I’ll also lapse back into Thanksgiving mode: Eat. Nap. Repeat. We’re not going anywhere and instead are lounging around home this year, so I’m pumped!

Evangeline Denmark:  I plan on having some quality hang time with my brother. We are very close, but he lives too far for regular visits. When he’s here for the holidays we cook together, play games, and plot books.

Lorie Langdon: Spend time with family! Last year, my youngest son was hospitalized over Thanksgiving and it took him months to recover. In January, we almost lost my father-in-law. But this year they are both healthy and I want to soak up all the time I can with my loved ones!  

Stephanie Morrill: I’m a homebody year-round, but especially at Christmas time. My husband takes time off work just to be home, and the older kids are out of school, so we get lots of hang time without the stress of getting homework done or lunches made. I absolutely love it.

 

Christina June: We’re spending Christmas local this year, so probably a lot of relaxing with my family.

Does your family have any Christmas traditions?

Jonathan Friesen: This is a great question. My wife and I have been talking about Christmas traditions. All our traditions now are connected to our parents, which is fine, but they are getting up in years. When they aren’t here, what will our kids remember about our home at Christmas? Anything? So, we want to be intentional about starting some traditions, but that sounds lame because you can’t really start a tradition; they start somewhere in the past. Bottom line: no.

Evangeline Denmark:  We usually try to attend a special play or concert that celebrates the season. It can be hard to slow down and absorb the meaning of the holidays, but I tend to find that connection through music and performance art. Perhaps I should attempt my own performance art this year. Maybe my family will be more excited about seeing A Christmas Carol for the tenth time if I put on a one-woman show. Then again, maybe not.

Lorie Langdon: We always go to church on Christmas Eve and then have a dinner of appetizers at my parents. It’s laid-back and fun as we all munch on finger foods while we open our gifts to each other. Christmas morning is for my husband and our boys—we have a family gift exchange and I make cinnamon rolls. Then we head over to my in-laws for lunch and more family time! The day usually ends with my hubby and me curled up on the coach watching A CHRISTMAS STORY marathon.

Stephanie Morrill: Yes, and they’re evolving as the kids get older, but here are two of my favorites: 1. During the season, we pick a night to drive around and look at Christmas lights. We bring hot chocolate, listen to Christmas music, crank up the heater, and enjoy the beauty of the city. 2. After our church’s Christmas Eve service, we have a candlelight dinner just the five of us. When dinner is over, we get out the Bible and read the story of Jesus being born.

Christina June: My dad’s side of the family is Polish, so we do the traditional Wigilia on Christmas Eve, though it’s been modified over the years to accommodate picky eaters (i.e. me).

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