Writer’s Block: What Holiday(s) do you Celebrate?

by Christian Hollingsworth on December 8, 2011

I like taking time to hone the craft of writing.

In college, one of my professors taught the importance of the spontaneous writing prompt. Simply, you receive a question and immediately write a response. It becomes a great way to stay agile & concise in writing style and talent.

Blogging is a great way to practice writing prompts. Take this writing prompt, reply in the comments, share thoughts on your own blog & dive deep into your soul. Creativity fills us like a beautifully painted canvas.

Today’s prompt goes as follows…

What Holiday(s) do you Celebrate? Why?

Although I celebrate many holidays, I’d like to talk about Christmas.

The reasons I celebrate this holiday are many.

To honor the life of Christ. Be with family. Refresh.

Often I like to think of the legacy Christ left behind, and bring more of that power into my own life. Although not all believe in the individual, the commitment to self improvement (and truth) should be a universal venture. There are thousands of lives from throughout history we should seek to learn from. Christmas is the holiday reminding me that the compassion contained within humankind shouldn’t be unveiled once a year, but always.

I also celebrate Christmas for family. To remember all those who have gone before me, those I share my life with & those that will grace my future.

Christmas, simply, brings my heart closer to things that matter most.

Tagged as: blogger's prompt, blogging prompt, What Holiday do you celebrate?, writer's block

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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }

Jonathan Gaurano Twitter: jonathangaurano December 8, 2011 at 12:20 pm

Hi Christian,

Actually, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I believe that Thanksgiving is the only holiday that unites family members together without the ‘fakeness’ of any other family-oriented holiday. What do I mean? In other holidays, everyone wants something from each other (presents, love cards, etc,) but on Thanksgiving – it’s purely the presence of each other’s company – in a more casual sense.

This means you’ll have more people screaming, yelling, being boisterous, laughing, and showing off a lot of catharsis to the table. This also includes debates and fun-filled games.

I think with other holidays people are stuck. Most of them are ‘forced’ to be there. But, with Thanksgiving, you can leave with the family members ‘you like’ and gander off doing something fun.

Also, Thanksgiving doesn’t require to bring presents – while still enjoying the food that comes with the gathering.

(:
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 8, 2011 at 1:12 pm: Those are some excellent thoughts, Jonathan.

It’s always interesting to see the type of conversations that start flowing at Thanksgiving.

I know it sounds sad, but for the past years my Thanksgiving has been somewhat “rushed,” if that makes sense. My birthday every few years falls on the holiday – and I also am part of helping manage a Turkey Trot race in San Jose. So we finish the event, pack up, and drive back to Sacramento for dinner. It’s always a very tiring day. lol

But I look forward to some changes possibly. I think that would be nice.
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Craig McBreen December 8, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Hi Christian,

I’m on board with Jonathan here. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is so very basic. It’s all about being with family and having a good time. Lately poor old Thanksgiving has been completely overlooked, due to the Christmas buying season starting in late October.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas season, but now it’s only the beginning of December and I’m kind of sick of the Christmas commercials and I don’t really want to go to the mall. That just makes me cranky Ba humbug, right? Don’t go to those big, advertised sales, you might get tackled or pepper-sprayed by a mad shopper. Now I’ll just tell my kids … no gifts this year, but I don’t think that will go over too well. He he.
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 8, 2011 at 8:53 pm: It’s interesting how society has come to that point, where children and all would be upset without Christmas gifts. You make a great point here, Craig.
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Meg December 9, 2011 at 1:17 am

I too like christmas as I have strong attachement towards the sacrifice of jesus for us. And its also best time to teach this message to our next generation by enjoying with them.

Anyway thanks a lot for this
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 9, 2011 at 11:13 am: You’re welcome Meg. Glad you were able to read and share your own thoughts. Reminds me of “tradition” from Fiddler On The Roof.
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logo items December 9, 2011 at 10:47 am

Christmas would be the top in my list. We celebrate as early as September (beginning of “BER” months). People would start putting up Christmas lanterns and decorations and you will hear Christmas carols played thru radios. Everyone is happy preparing for the said occasion. It’s truly a joyful season of the year.

Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 9, 2011 at 11:13 am: It’s wonderful you’re able to start celebrating so early, and it sounds like you understand exactly what it’s all about. Celebrating with family. Love that!
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Cris Twitter: CrisMarston December 9, 2011 at 7:16 pm

No doubt I thourghly enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas, for the above mentioned reasons…celebrating, family, food, gratitude, giving, the carols, sharing; but, I also find myself too stressed with the events. So, for that reason, I would have to say Fourth of July is my favorite. I love the celebration of our country, the picnics with family and friends, parades, fireworks..oh my, I am a reincarnated child when the display is underway…and to stand and sing, or hear, the Star Spangled Banner with the sky abalaze…..I am a blubber bucket. Just can’t help myself.
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 9, 2011 at 8:12 pm

Thanks for the 4th of July reminder. I love that holiday a lot too. I know it sounds mushy, but I’ve always envisioned a first kiss with that special someone you want to share life with, under the 4th of July fireworks.

I know. It’s sappy.
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Cris Twitter: CrisMarston December 10, 2011 at 8:53 pm

But good sap…and a memory maker moment! Lucky girl.
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 10, 2011 at 10:39 pm: I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Bruce Sallan December 10, 2011 at 9:36 am

As a Jew, Christmas is not “my” holiday but I love it anyway. In fact, I’ve written blogs about my favorite Xmas songs, done a radio special that features 40+ of them, a 12Most article just out, and we’ve sent out holiday CDs for years. Not only that, we did a music video in which we sang a long with The Drifter’s version of White Christmas:

http://www.brucesallan.com/~brucesal/index.php/other/298-the-sallan-boys-christmas-sing-a-long

As for writer prompts…I have the opposite issue…I need to know when to stop writing and sleep and be with my family! Lol…
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 10, 2011 at 10:55 pm: It’s so cool to see you celebrating a holiday of “family.” That’s grand. I remember you mentioning before that Christ was something that your wife believed in, but wasn’t your thing. I just LOVE that the two of you obviously work well together. Support and love, being the keywords.
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Sherry Nouraini Twitter: snouraini December 10, 2011 at 4:42 pm

I love Christmas holidays as a time to wind down and reflect on the year past and plan for better things for the upcoming new year. Being Persian, I also celebrate the first day of spring as our new year, what we call norooz (which means new day). Traditionally, this time of the year is considered a time for renewing friendships, getting together with family and a time for giving, which is pretty much the same principals around Christmas, except we celebrate the birth of a new year rather than a holy person. Taking time for reflection and renewal, by whatever means, is essential for maintaining balance in our lives. Thanks for a great post!

Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 10, 2011 at 10:59 pm: Thank you Sherry, for sharing that wonderful information about Persian celebrations! They sound rather lovely.

And you’re so right here…taking that time out of the year for reflection…and turning that reflection into growth. We need that everyday actually!
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Adrienne Twitter: adriennesmith40 December 10, 2011 at 5:04 pm

My two favorites are also Thanksgiving and Christmas. I use to enjoy Christmas more when I was younger because all of our family gathered and were together for several days. You know, trips to grandma’s house and spending time with all the cousins.

But we grew up in the church and knew what Christmas represented so although all the presents were neat, it was why we were able to open the presents that meant more than anything. And we all marched down the street to attend Sunday’s church service. We would take up about three pews.

Thanksgiving is a time where we do just receive thanks for everything that we have including the people who are in our lives. Both holidays, all our family is remembered. The ones not able to attend and the ones who have since passed.

Either way, I love them both because I am still celebrating it with my immediate family and we do enjoy being together. The love in that room would make anyone smile.

Thanks Christian for bringing this up and for sharing with us which one means the most to you.
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Christian Hollingsworth Twitter: smartboydesigns December 10, 2011 at 11:01 pm: Your family stories are beautiful, Adrienne. Filling three pews. Now that’s a happy memory.
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michael December 10, 2011 at 10:03 pm

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