The Christmas Meme

I usually don’t do memes, because (a) they don’t interest me or (b) they’re too long or (c) they require too much research. (Seriously.) But I saw this one over on Alison Kent’s blog and thought it was just interesting enough, and just the right length, and required just the right amount of research. 10 questions about me and Christmas.

1. What is your favorite Christmas romance to re-read each year? Ah, that’s a trick question. I don’t have a favorite Christmas romance. In fact, I’ve never even read a “Christmas” romance (as far as I remember). And that’s really ironic, because my very first story idea, the one that inspired me to learn to write fiction, that story idea was a Christmas romance. Fortunately, I was aware enough to figure out that I had no idea what the heck I was doing, and I put the project on the shelf until I learned a little more. That was a long time ago, and I never got back to that project. And good thing, too, because the project as it stands now is completely unworkable (which I didn’t know back then). I do know what needs to be done to make it workable, and maybe some day I’ll get back to it. Even though the original story idea itself will probably never see the light of day, some of the characters, though largely undeveloped, still occupy a special place in my heart. I’d like to think that someday I’ll tell their story.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie or show? Whatever the kids want to watch. Once you become a parent, life is like that. Seriously, though, if I had to choose, I’d probably pick–and this may surprise you–the second-season Christmas episode of Roswell, entitled “A Roswell Christmas Carol.” Nothing very creative there. Just good, solid storytelling, just the way I like it. A real tear-jerker. As you may remember, this isn’t the first episode of Roswell that inspires me, and not the first episode of Roswell whose story I’ve commented on or critiqued. (And clearly, the 4th episode of the 1st season is my favorite of the series, but that’s not a Christmas episode.)

3. What is your favorite Christmas cookie? I’d say it’s the simple, soft, frosted sugar cookie. Because they remind me of my late grandmother, who when I was a boy, used to send us a box of them each year for Christmas. Funny how certain things we remember about our childhoods.

4. When do you start Christmas shopping? Never. Seriously. What’s “Christmas shopping”? Someone else does that in my family.

5. Do you re-gift? I can’t imagine re-gifting, because I usually don’t see the point in gifting in the first place. That is, if someone wants something, they can get it for themselves. Then they’d be more likely to get a gift they actually want and like. If they need the money, then I could give that, but giving money is seen as tacky. (I don’t understand why.) If they need the expertise to choose a gift… Well, that’s what makes a gift special, that I can bring my own knowledge and experience to the gift-selection process. Of course, I could just give them my knowledge and experience, like a gift consultant, and then they’d be even more likely to get a gift they actually like. But giving “expertise” is also supposedly tacky.

The most important part of Christmas is not gifts. It’s spending time with family. And that time, more often than not, turns out to be memorable, and memorable in a good way. Many of the fondest memories I have from years ago are memories of the holidays.

6. What is your favorite Christmas song? That’s a tough one, because I enjoy so much music and so many different kinds of music. But if I had to choose, it would probably be… a tie. On the one hand is Gypsy Soul’s rendition of “We Three Kings,” from their Sacred album. (You can catch that on iTunes. Click here: ) The part of the track I like the most is the kewl bass line during the interlude. (Bass is usually such an undervalued instrument.) Interestingly, this recording also appears in the soundtrack of that Christmas episode of Roswell that I mentioned, but I loved the recording before I had seen the episode of Roswell.

On the other hand, there’s my own rendition of the “Coventry Carol,” in 5/4 time. Maybe if I get a chance before the month is out, I’ll sit down with a guitar and a video camera and record it for you.

7. When do you get your Christmas tree? Usually, sometime in November. It comes up from the basement. At least the small, plastic tree does. Some years, we’ll also get a larger, real tree. I love the smell of pine.

8. Wrapping presents: Love it or hate it? Whatever. It ranks up there with Christmas shopping.

9. Who is the hardest person to buy for? Me. No, but seriously, I have trouble buying for just about everyone, as I talked about above.

10. Christmas tree: Real or artificial? Both, some years. Other years, artificial. When I was very little, I remember we had an artificial tree. I remember unpacking it each year, assembling it, and decorating it. Then I remember the first year we got a real tree and how surprised I was. I don’t remember what year it was or how old I was. But I do remember getting a real tree. And I remember sitting around the fireplace and doing family activities and listening to Christmas music. (I miss the fireplace.)

Nowadays, my parents have an artificial tree, because it’s just so much easier to manage than a real tree. And we have an artificial tree, because it’s just so much less maintenance than a real tree. Sometimes, we’ll get a real tree as well, but it seems this year, we’re not going to get around to it. Maybe next year.

-TimK