Tara Kingston | Holiday Traditions

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Christmas. In many ways, the holiday
season can be a bit hectic, with shopping and gift-wrapping and decorating, but
it’s also a treasured time for family, friends, fond reminiscences, and creating
new memories.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions centers around decorating the house. My
hubby rivals Clark Griswold with his passion for exterior illumination, and
despite his efforts to decorate our house with a coordinated theme, our outdoor
holiday décor is not complete in my eyes until I put out my illuminated
penguins. After years of exposure to snow and wind, they’re looking a little
worse for wear—one of them looks rather like he got into a brawl with some
bigger, meaner penguins, but I have a soft spot for the little guys and display
them every year. My hubby sighs and grumbles, but he knows that battle is lost.

My interior décor is rather eclectic. I wish I could say I have a unifying
scheme that ties all my festive items together, but my approach to decorating
the house can be summed up in one word: memories. Cherished ornaments hand-made
by my sons when they were children are among my favorite possessions. I fondly
remember helping my son gather gumtree balls from the backyard on a cold
December morning before school. The prickly pods were used in an ornament that
still occupies a prominent place on my tree. The stained glass ornaments made
from a kit when my younger son was a little boy conjure many sweet memories.
Other ornaments I prize were received as presents from my students when I taught
elementary school and as gifts from dear friends and family. They all stir
wonderful memories, and sometimes, bring a tear to my eye. It takes me a long
time to decorate my tree as I reflect on the memories woven into each ornament.
And aren’t memories what the holidays are all about?

Listening to holiday music is one of my favorite traditions. I must confess, I have my radio tuned to the holiday station from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. I love the mix of artists, and even though my singing talent is non-existent, I can really belt out a cheerful Christmas song while driving along with the car windows rolled up and the radio cranking out the songs. I love holiday songs by artists such as Harry Connick, Jr., Brian Setzer, U2, Darlene Love, Whitney Houston, Tom Petty, Kelly Clarkson, Wendy and Carnie Wilson (Hey Santa! is a big favorite of mine), and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I look forward to this time of year when I can play these delightful songs without getting funny looks from other drivers surprised to hear Bono belting out Baby, Please Come Home on a hot summer day.

In my family, we always have fun with gift giving. One of my dad’s favorite
traditions was a Christmas treasure hunt. He’d place a gift in a unique
container (such as a toilet paper tube), wrap it, then somehow conceal it in a
place you’d never suspect. Once, he hid a beautiful ring for my mother in the
freezer. Then he’d provide clues to find the gift. Thank heavens he never tried
this with computer technology! Another gift giving tradition is the unwrapping
of a gift on Christmas Eve. This was eagerly anticipated every year, and really
set the stage for a memorable Christmas morning.

Of course, there are many other family traditions. Good food, fun movies, and
precious time spent with loved ones all create fond memories to cherish
throughout the years. What are some of your family’s beloved holiday traditions?

This year, I’m celebrating a new book release during the holiday season. THE HIGHLANDER WHO LOVED ME will be available on December 12. Set in Victorian Scotland, THE HIGHLANDER WHO LOVED ME is the story of an American author who lives her own adventure when she joins forces with a Highland rogue to save a kidnapped child. I had a grand time writing this book, and I wonder at the holiday traditions Johanna and Connor might create after their hard-won happily-ever-after.

Thank you for having me as a guest, Fresh Fiction!