By: Marcia King-Gamble
www.lovemarcia.com
Did you know I’m in love? Head over heels in love … madly in love. . . with the holidays. Though
truth be told, some of these days aren’t national holidays, just days I celebrate.
These are Hallmark moments to me.
As a child I looked
forward to holidays, although depending on where I lived, these holidays
changed. Growing up on a British island, Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) was
a huge deal, and so was Easter Monday, and let’s not forget Guy Fawkes Day,
commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes, though not
an official holiday, was an excuse to honor the safety of the king (back then) and light bonfires.
Get those sparklers out.
Share those holiday memories, please. Which are your favorites?
Let me work my way through the year. Almost every month there is a holiday to look forward to. Pictures are of items you can win.
New Year’s Day
Football is the first thing that comes to mind for most
people. Not me. This is the day when the
slate is wiped clean. I update my resume,
start a Vision Board, and spend the day with people I enjoy. I still remember my grandmother saying, "Whatever you’re
doing on New Year’s Day you’ll be doing for the rest of the year." So, some years I eat
black eyed peas with friends. I want to be prosperous for the whole year. This 2020 I drove over 4 hours to
be with a friend . It was worth every second of that 300 mile drive.
What have you done on New Year’s Day that’s special? Share! Share! Share!
Valentine’s Day
This can be a bittersweet day for singles. But whether coupled up or single, it’s a day to
treat yourself. There’s nothing wrong with buying yourself flowers, taking yourself
out to dinner, or sharing a dinner with a friend you enjoy, be it male or female. It’s a special day to pamper
yourself, so why not get a massage or pedicure? Nothing wrong with buying your own box
of chocolates and eating every delicious piece until it's all gone.
You’re your own best date. What have you done to pamper yourself? I want you to share!
Memorial Day
Welcome to summer! Beaches are finally open and the barbecues
on. When I lived up north, I wallowed in all the greenery, and beaches, well they were so much fun. there was nothing like a day on the water. Memorial Day sales were the best. I couldn't think of a better opportunity to go
shopping and buy some of those skimpy summer clothes.
Independence Day (4th
of July)
Break out those itsy-bitsy
bikinis, and cover your ears, the firecrackers go off in full force. It’s cookout time, and
since it’s the middle of the summer,the thought of cold weather is so remote. Now you want to make every day count. Kids are going back
to school shortly, and those leaves are about to change color. The American flags
are flying high and you’re proud to be American. What’s more
American than hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill?
What’s your favorite 4th
of July food? Share! Share! Share!
Labor Day
It’s all coming to an end. This is
the great, big wind down. Summer’s pretty much over, and it’s officially the
last outdoor gathering. It’s time to cover that pool (unless you're like me, living in Florida.) Burgers and corn are on the grill, all to be washed
down with beer. The kids may or may not be back in school already, and there’s already
a hint of fall in the air. That red, white and blue can still be worn.
What’s your favorite Labor Day
Story? Time to share!
Thanksgiving
Families gather around the table over an
abundance of food. Everyone pretends to
like everyone, and even drunk Uncle Allen and crazy Aunt Emily, hoarding food, are welcomed. The turkey, the decor, the camaraderie, are what makes Thanksgiving special. It's family bonding time and a time to give thanks and count our blessings.
Who is your least favorite
person to have around your Thanksgiving table? Share, and we'll keep it between us.
Christmas
My favorite holiday of them all!
As a child, I couldn’t wait to go to sleep and wake up to presents. It's a tradition to start off with mass, and then I treat myself to an over-sized breakfast and mimosas. Next, onto opening gifts, and later, dinner with family or friends. Now, the giving and receiving of gifts, pales in comparison to the love of
friends and family. In just one week we would have wrapped up another year.
Speaking of gifts, if you comment, you can win one of the gifts pictured below. Happy Holidays all!
Speaking of gifts, if you comment, you can win one of the gifts pictured below. Happy Holidays all!
What’s your favorite holiday?
Share! Share! Share!
About
Marcia King-Gamble
Romance writer,
Marcia King-Gamble originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky
and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry
executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United
States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia has penned over 34 books and 8
novellas. Her free time is spent at the gym, traveling to exotic locales, and
caring for her animal family.
Visit Marcia at
www.lovemarcia.com or “friend” her on Facebook: http://bit.ly/1MlnrIS
18 comments:
Marcia, I celebrate New Years Eve more than New Year's Day. There have been only a handful of times I've spent New Year's Eve with anyone else as it is a time for me to reflect of the year ending. I like to look back at what I've accomplished, the challenges faced and obstacles overcome.
When my parents were alive, we all gathered for Easter, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day. Ham, new potatoes and pea in a cream sauce, asparagus and rhubarb pie were traditional Easter dinner fare. My dad loved to grill and his hamburgers were to die for. Always a treat to spend any holiday with my mom and dad just to enjoy his hamburgers - and depending strawberry shortcake, ice cold watermelon for dessert.
Thanksgiving was always a big family affair and we didn't have an Aunt/Uncle we didn't want to spend time with. I have many memories of making the bacon, apple, sage dressing for the turkey, stuffing the turkey and getting it in the oven, baking at least 3 different kinds of pies until I decided to just get a Costco pumpkin pie as that disappeared well before the weekend.
Christmas was my all time favorite holiday because I loved the tree, holly, lights. Growing up we always attended the midnight service.
These days, I celebrate Ostara (Spring Equinox), Summer Solstice, Samhain (October 31) and Winter Solstice. There are times when I gather with friends of mine who also celebrate these pagan high holy days. Reconnecting with the turn of the wheel of life, the seasons has enriched my life. Anyone familiar with the pagan holidays will see a few of them are missing...it isn't that I don't celebrate them but I'm not as consistent.
Thanks for leading us through the year of holiday celebrations, Marcia. I'm looking forward to seeing what other folks have to say.
Judith thanks for sharing. Some holidays have very special meanings and evoke cherished memories. it's amazing how much food plays a part in all of our celebrations. 😊
There's got to be a series in you about these Pagan High Holy Days. Just think about it. I don't think it's been done.
My favorite Christmas memory was the year we had a true “Charlie Brown Christmas tree”. It was so dry that there were more needles in the vacuum cleaner bag than left on the tree. We usually left our tree up until New Years Day but that year my mom wanted to take it down the day after Christmas. She was even embarrassed to put the sickly looking thing out on the curb for the trash pickup. We got all the decorations off, and I noticed something up near the top of the tree. It was a little grass bird’s nest. It’s supposed to be good luck to find a nest in your Christmas tree. We took it out, and my mom packed it away in a box and then every year since it goes back in the tree, for luck. This was well over 30 years ago, and the nest is still nearly as good as the day we found it.
Thanks for sharing M Kristen. What a heartwarming story. You have to believe that bird's nest has brought your family more than 30 years of luck.May it continue to do so. I personally am a fan of the Charlie Brown tree. I even bought one in a box one year. One branch and one ornament but adorable. I've always been a champion of the underdog.
Marcia, My "Sacred Women's Circle" series does include the pagan high holy days. I've been remiss in doing any promo for over a year but my health has improved so it's time to give it another go.
M. Kristen love your story! The Christmas tree was always a Big Deal and my dad spent hours finding just the perfect tree. His last Christmas my brothers and I picked out the tree. What a challenge! But with the lights and family heirloom ornaments including the Christmas Village from his own childhood under the tree, it turned out to be the perfect tree afterall.
Hi Marcia! My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. No presents or commercial hype, just loved ones and great food. We gather around my table, and I insist everyone share one thing they're thankful for. Thanksgiving helps to remind me what's really important in life.
Hi Lynn,
Always good to keep the Thanks in Thanksgiving. So many of us forget the reason we gather and make it all about food. I've been to homes where Thanks isn't even part of the tradition. Good for you Lynn in keeping the family together and remembering the true meaning.
Judith I see the promotional opportunities for your series. Maybe getting out a novella to pique interest and keep the series alive might be beneficial. I am so happy your health has improved. You area always such a positive force and a true inspiration. I'm putting the Sacred Woman's Circle on my list.
Marcia,
Thanks for sharing your holiday memories.
I'll tell you a funny Christmas story. My husband and I lived in the Mts. in CA, this was maybe 25 years ago? He cut down a tree in the forest and brought it home. The tree was about 6 ft too tall He took it out to the driveway and a substantial amount off and brought the tree back into the house. This time when he stood it up, he had brought in the bottom 1/2 of the tree instead of the top. So out it went again!
Diana, that reminds me of my first Christmas after I was married. We hiked in the snow across hill and dale until I found "the perfect tree." My husband and his friends who went with us assured me it was too big. I said it was perect so they cut it down, hauled it back to the truck and then muscled it upstairs (of course we lived in an upstairs apartment). And, yes, they were correct and the tree was too big...but I had lots of greenery to decorate every flat surface. Thankfully we could angle the couch so there was a place to sit!
That's one funny story Diana. A good tale for the kids and grandkids if you have them. Your husband sounds like a very patient man. My ex would have hurled that tree down the driveway and that would have been the end of that.
New Year's Day is also a new beginning for me. Although, I tend to indulge myself that day. It's like resting up for that one day to get through the rest of the year. SO I stockpile all my favorite foods (as in finger food), so I can nibble my way through the day. I sometimes open a small bottle of champagne and sip on it throughout the day (did you know if you wad up tinfoil to use as a cork, it will keep it bubbly for a few days - and whatever left can be used in a recipe.) I also stockpile favorite videos - usually Rom-Coms so I just sit, veg and overindulge in chick-flicks. I do love Boxer Day too. Our friends always had a neighborhood pot-luck that day.
Valentine's Day - meh - years of waitressing turned me off to Valentine's day :-)
Memorial day as a kid and teen - going to the beach in Delaware and getting out of the city, strolling the boardwalk in my new bikini (yes I once fit in those.) Living up north since I was 20 - it is hit or miss for memorial day as far as weather goes. Today it snowed in Maine on May 9 - so who knows what the end of the month will bring.
July 4th - fireworks in Washington, D.C. where I grew up and now on the shores of Maine with my grandson - love it! Plus cook-outs. I love trying new salad recipes each year.
Fall is my favorite season and I love that back-to-school feeling. It seems more like a new year / beginning to me than January does. Plus I worked in schools for last 3 jobs before I retired and retail prior to that - so back-to-school was part of my work life.
I think Thanksgiving is my favorite (along with New Year's Day). We always invited any "stray" friends or co-workers so that made it fun. And when my son was in college, he'd come home a few days early and we would cook together. Still do, even though he has his own kids now.
Christmas - my dad made it so much fun! He loved playing Santa - even when I was a grandmother. I most miss him at that time of the year.
Deb N sounds like you have wonderful holiday memories. Thanks for that tip about the tinfoil. I'm always upset when I lose the bubbly from an expensive bottle. I bet it works with beer as well. I love that you and your son cook together. That's so cool. One of my friends has a waifs and strays party every Christmas for those of us who do not have family in town. It's always fun.
Deb, have you heard that putting a spoon in the bottle (handle down of course) also keeps it bubbly? I've a cousin who was a bartender who told me that. It has worked here in Oregon in the winter (when it is outside) but not sure how well it does if champagne gets warm. Will have to try the tinfoil...I've a bottle of Proseco in the fridge. Should open it for Memorial Day and try out using tinfoil to keep it bubbly.
This was refreshing. I am a little cynical about holidays these days, or a at least part of me is, but I may rethink now.
AmorinaRose, It really is all in how you look at it. Many holidays have become commercial, but we can all put our unique spin on how we celebrate. Some look at Thanksgiving and Christmas as a time to give back and so they invite perfect strangers to their table. New Year's Eve or New Year's Day can be used as a time of reflection, Valentine's Day as a time to show self love. Make it what you will, but do enjoy it.
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