American Christmas?

[estepheia]

Did you miss me? I had an awfully busy week and an even busier weekend. I spent this weekend stocking the kids' advent calendars with second hand lego, chocolate, and some change (Tina is saving for a gameboy); I also translated for several hours, tidied, did laundry, dug out the Christmas decorations, went to a puppet theatre with hubby and the kids, and set up several Playmobil auctions in ebay. As you can see, I was too busy to keep in touch with LJ. I probably won't have the time to catch up either, because I have tons of laundry to fold - now that the kids are in bed (I'll sweeten the bitter pill with a few S2 epis of Andromeda)
Obviously, I haven't written a thing. But I feel kinda productive and virtuous, which usually means I'll get into writing mode soon.

I have not signed up for Secret Slasha (*sob*) because I don't want another WIP. Having said that I'd like to ask a few questions about American Christmas customs because I'd like to use the info as background for a Christmas-y fic I'm planning:
When do people get the tree? What are vital elements of a successful Christmas event? What do you eat? When does the mistletoe go up?

Comments

[poshcat.livejournal.com]

Hi, I was just cruising the LJ strip, and ran into your post. I hope you don't mind me joining in. Some Christmas details you may find useful (even though they're Canadian details, but still):

When getting/decorating the tree (the second week of Dec??), someone will do all the work, someone will bitch throughout, someone will watch Trading Spaces/play Gameboy instead of participate, and someone will grimly attempt to recreate their wondrous childhood tree-decorating memories which are cut almost entirely from fantasy.

The vital elements of a successful family Christmas event are booze and denial. That will get anyone through anything. That, and a ham ball.

Mmm...Christmas party food. Nuts to crack. Seafood dip. Spinach dip. Olives. Endless cheese and crackers. Chocolates, chocolates, and more chocolates.

I have never seen mistletoe go up in real life, ever. Lots of open-mouthed kissing even without it, but that was at company Christmas parties, mind you. If you simply must have mistletoe make an appearance in your story, any time during the month of December would be accepted by any North American.

Ah, the holidays. :0) Good luck with your story, and your laundry too.

LOL.

[estepheia.livejournal.com]

Heee. Thanks.
Finished the laundry last night. Took me 4 episodes of Andromeda to get through the pile. But at least I had the pleasure of watching JM play Charlemagne Bolivar. Christ, he looks delicious in that episode. Absolutely lickworthy. *sigh*

The story is progressing nicely. Ladycat and I are planning an advent calendar like fic, with a little post every day. :-)
I'm currently describing the tree. And there will be mistletoe.

I enjoyed your snarky account of Christmas customs and will bear them in mind. :-D Thank you very much.