If you look up the word hol·i·day, one of the definitions is a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done. I get the whole festivity and recreation part, but the part that threw me was the ‘no work is done.’ Hence why with the Marketing for Romance Writers (#MRFW) 52-week Blog Hop topic for this week My Favorite Holiday gave me pause. Because my favorite holiday has changed over the years.
The Magic of Christmas
When I was little I made my own countdown to Christmas. I’d count out the days, and write them on little squares of paper, cut them out and then tear one off each day. I decorated my bedroom with homemade crepe paper, cut out pictures and my own little manger complete with all the players. (Although play school plastic people, or weebles, may have had to ocassinally stand in for the Three Wise Men. I made the best with what I had.)
#Christmas was absolutely magical and it was my favorite #holiday. #MFRW Share on XI’d sneak out in the middle of the night to see the lights on the Christmas tree reflecting off the beautifully decorated packages. It was enchanting. The holiday 
was something to anticipate and plan for all year long. Although back then, most of the planning I did was for how I was going to spend my long school break.
That was before Christmas became so much exhausting work. Creating that magic starts months in advance and most of us have yet to discover our magic wands to expedite the process. We’re forced to rely on good old mortal methods. Obviously, the definition of holiday is a tad bit warped.
For parents, and especially Moms, the whole “I” part sometimes gets overlooked. I still enjoy Christmas, and luckily for most Moms, we get a lot of pleasure in making everyone else happy. But, damn. It can be a lot of work.
Giving Thanks
Thus, my favorite holiday morphed into Thanksgiving. Show up, eat a bunch of food, and visit with family and friends while drifting into a satisfied food coma.
That’s if you’re able to ignore the December holiday season’s plethora of sales breathing down your neck and simply enjoy the day.
This Holiday Receives an Honorable Mention
Trick or treat! Ahh…Halloween. Because—hello? What paranormal/fantasy writer doesn’t relish the opportunity to dress up as a favorite character or creature? To pretend to live in the worlds we have created and be someone else for a night. And as a chocoholic, it’s a valid excuse to stock up on candy—or snag some of your kids.
Making One Up—Hey, Making Up Stuff is What I Do Best
If I truly want to abide by the definition of holiday, then I must make up my own. So that’s what I’ve done that over the past couple years. I always plan to take a few days off over my birthday to do just what “I” want to do. I can’t exactly say no work is done, since I try to reserve most of this time for writing. But to me, writing isn’t work, it’s who I am and what I do. It’s pure pleasure.
What’s Your Favorite Holiday?
Follow along the #MFRW Blog Hop to discover the favorite holiday’s of the other authors.
What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
I think you’re right — for adults, there are no actual holidays on which no work is done. Hmmm… I do like the idea of making my birthday a holiday. For too many years it’s been just another day. It’s coming up soon. I may celebrate it differently this year. Enjoyed your post!
Thanks so much for visiting Sherry. Happy early birthday- I hope you find a way to make it a special holiday all about you 🙂
Great post, I loved how you included all of your holidays!
AMEN! The only ‘holiday’ in the true sense of the word is my ‘staycation’ when either a) I visit my parents for a week (as I’m doing now….this week has been heavenly!) or b) Those magical hours where the family is off doing their own thing and Mom is left to her own devices. I love it when I get the chance to throw everyone out of the house for the day!
Nothing like a staycation- they’re the best! Enjoy yours Kenzie.
Holidays are for children, aren’t they? Not for moms who do most/all of the work associated with them. Love the idea of your birthday holiday!
My husband frequently accuses me of making my entire birthday MONTH a celebration! I should have thought of that as my favorite holiday.
Oh a month sounds nice, Alina. We need to encourage that to be the norm to make up for the ‘work’ on the other holidays 😉
I love Halloween I adored the guinnea pigs dressed up. My 4 little ones will hate you come Halloween now I have to figure out what to dress them as LOL!
Perhaps if they get a special halloween treat they won’t mind the costume so much. 🙂
You’re right about Christmas being a lot of work. For us it gradually became easier again as the kids grew up. Now grandchildren are in the picture — actually, today is my daughter’s due date for her second child — so maybe the season will become more work again.
Ed- congrats on becoming a grandparent again- how exciting! I hope everything goes well with the new baby.
Christmas is a lot of work and some of the magic is lost when they are putting out decorations in stores as early as September in some cases. Still as a mom, things get done so that the children can enjoy that magic. Yes it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it when they are happy. The best part for me is cookie baking day. Each kid gets to pick out a cookie and I spend time with them as we bake the one they picked out. Even the cynical, grumpy teenage son still enjoys this day.
I agree, Meka, in that I wish they didn’t start so early. I still do cookies with my girls, but only one kind. The traditions are so nice to have.
The holidays ARE a lot of work – I like the birthday holiday idea!