by Michelle Major
The holidays are filled with traditions and one of the best parts about writing a Christmas-themed book is weaving some of them into the plot to enhance the story. My favorite gift-giving tradition is stockings, which my family saves until after all the other gifts are open. It’s always a fun to challenge to find just the right stocking-sized trinket to make the day extra special. And, or course, there’s always an orange included because that’s how my mom and grandma did it.
In my December release, CHRISTMAS ON CRIMSON MOUNTAIN, two lonely souls come together in a rustic cabin, along with a couple of sweet little girls, to celebrate the holiday. Because most of the story takes place in the week leading up to Christmas and neither my hero or heroine was expecting to have a reason to celebrate, I focused on gifts in the stockings—thoughtful gestures that show how much this makeshift little family has bonded during their time together.
I did some research on the original of Christmas stockings and found that the most popular ‘lore’ is the story of an impoverished father who was worried about finding good marriages for his three daughters because they were so poor. St. Nick overheard him and on Christmas Eve, came down the chimney to put gold coins (or gold balls – which is where the orange tradition originates) in the girls’ stockings drying by the fire. A far-fetched story but a sweet tale just the same!
Do you have favorite holiday traditions in your family? However you celebrate, I hope your December is filled with lots of love and laughter (and definitely a good book or two!)