by Len Maxwell
Member since:
December 17, 2005

Christmas, of Course (Saturday Writing Essential)

December 24, 2011 12:21 AM UTC (Updated: December 24, 2011 12:22 AM UTC)
views: 0 | 16 people recommend this | comments: 35

This is the easiest challenge of the year. Write about Christmas -- Christmas past, Christmas present, or Christmas future.

If you’ve posted something in the past that you think is your best work regarding Christmas, feel free to post it again.

Merry Christmas. 

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Using prose or poetry, write something about Christmas.

 

Ideas:

Discuss the difference between saying “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas.”

Write about the evolution of the Christmas tree as part of the celebration of Christmas.

Compare Father Christmas and Saint Nicholas.

Write about decorating a Christmas tree when you were young.

Write about decorating a Christmas tree now that you’re older and, perhaps, do it for or with younger children.

Tell us about the best or worst Christmas present you ever received (or didn’t receive).

Get weird. You’re Krakor 457, a cyborg in the 35th century, and are trying to figure out this “Christmas thing” the few remaining humans keep talking about.

 

Watch Out For:

If you don’t believe in Christ or the traditional meaning of Christmas, it’s all right to express your beliefs but, please, don’t disrespect those who do believe.

In a like manner, if you believe in Christ and the traditional meaning of Christmas, don’t disrespect those who do not.

 

Recap:

Similar to last week, there were many different takes on this challenge. You will find it interesting to read each of the following posts.

(Saturday Writing Essential) What is a woman?  By Pam Brittain

Early Experiences With Women : Saturday Writing Essentials: Theme: Women.  By William Dotani

Saturday Writing Essential - What is Woman?  By Allen H.

Saturday Writing Essential (December 17, 2011) She's Every Woman  by Chuck S.

SatWE - Women, thou art great!  By subroto s s.

The Modern Proverbs 31 Woman - Monday Writing Essential, Tuesday Writing Essential, and Saturday Writing Essential  by Lynn P.

What is a woman?satgwe  by karen vaughan

Woman (Version 2.1) (saturday Writing Essential)  by Len Maxwell

Woman is Life ~ for Friday Writing Essential  by JOHN BECK

 

Submissions to Previous Challenges:

No Mike is an Island (Monday Writing Essential, Saturday Writing Essential)  by Liz H.

It's Tough Being a Short guy - SWE - Saturday Writing Essentials  by Elsie Duggan

SatWe...WHAT ARE MEN?....12.11.2011....Barbara H....  by Barbara H.

 

Weekly reminder: Don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!). Also, try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece. Tell the author what worked and what needs work.

The Rules:

  • Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do.

Challenge: Using prose or poetry, write something about Christmas.

  • There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.
  • Post to Gather Writing Essential.
  • Tag your submission with SatWE.
  • Include (Saturday Writing Essential) as part of your title.
  • I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Friday afternoon.

Good Writing!

Comments: 35

stephen berwaldt Dec 24, 2011, 1:32am UTC
I'm sure everyone has a favorite Christmas story...
Good theme for a prompt...

Thank you submitting to the Gather’s Best Writers and Artists. Now featured
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:07pm UTC
Thank you for the feature, Steve. We've already had some good submissions. We'll see what happens in the coming week.

Merry Christmas.
Bernard C. Dec 24, 2011, 3:43am UTC
Good prompt - lots of bakewell's to be told am sure :-)) Merry Christmas :-)

Thanks for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Barbary C. Dec 24, 2011, 10:42am UTC
Bernard, what does bakewells mean?

Merry, merry to you across the sea.
Ann Marcaida Dec 24, 2011, 5:06pm UTC
Now featured at The Surreal Circus.
Ann Marcaida Dec 24, 2011, 5:08pm UTC
I think "bakewell" means pastry.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:08pm UTC
Thank you, all, for your kind thoughts. I hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas.
Bernard C. Dec 25, 2011, 4:03pm UTC
Merry Christmas Barbary - bakewells are tarts, mince pies and are lots of pastries in all different shapes and sizes - especially those made on occasions such as Christmas - Some call them shortbread but refers to the baking or oven usage :-) Hope this helps :-)) Merry Christmas :-))
JOHN BECK Dec 24, 2011, 7:34am UTC
Again, lots of possibilities. I'll have to ponder whether to repeat on of my anecdotes or to write something original. Merry Christmas.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:12pm UTC
I don't know if what you wrote was new or a repost, but it was great.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
JOHN BECK Dec 25, 2011, 3:03pm UTC
I honestly don't know if I posted something about this in the past or not, Len.
J. Reid Dec 24, 2011, 7:55am UTC
Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:13pm UTC
In case I haven't done so, I'll wish you a Merry Christmas, Johnice.
J. Reid Dec 25, 2011, 2:46pm UTC
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and do have a wonderful holiday season! Smiles...


Happy Holidays!
Greg Schiller Dec 24, 2011, 8:34am UTC
Merry Christmas, Len.

I hope everyone on Gather has a chance to get together with family and friends. I also hope they don't eat nor drink too much, and if they do, I hope they feel okay the next morning. :)
Barbary C. Dec 24, 2011, 10:41am UTC
Asian food on the Eve. Ham next day.
(And a baking soda cocktail afterward!)
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:14pm UTC
Merry Christmas, Greg.

I've gotten away from baking soda, Barbary. I've migrated to Tums.
Barbary C. Dec 24, 2011, 10:39am UTC
Thank you, Len, for all your fabulous prompts in 2011,
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:15pm UTC
Thanks, Barbary. I put up some really tough challenges my first year; eased off this year a bit; and I'm trying to decide what to do for the coming year.
Pam Brittain Dec 24, 2011, 1:21pm UTC
I'm looking forward to reading these posts. And, thank you Len, for talking about respect of others. That was very thoughtful. I do enjoy the holidays and it'll be fun to read how others do.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:18pm UTC
Thanks, Pam. I try to make sure that people realize that this is a writing group and the posts are writing exercises. There are, however, many people on Gather who use it as a political or religious platform.

I'm looking forward to reading how other people view Christmas.
Vj McMullan Dec 24, 2011, 4:21pm UTC
Great challenge.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:19pm UTC
A busy time of year for many people; we'll see what comes of it.
Ed Da Head Toker Dec 24, 2011, 9:50pm UTC
an interesting post.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:19pm UTC
Thanks, Ed.
jeanne clarke Dec 25, 2011, 8:12am UTC
Merry Christmas, Len! Thanks for a great year of prompts!
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 2:22pm UTC
Merry Christmas, Jeanne, and thank you for your support.
Pam Brittain Dec 25, 2011, 2:54pm UTC
I'll ditto what my nemesis said. Merry Christmas Len and Jeanne!!!! My your life be filled with joy, peace, happiness and that wonderful humor you both have.
elizabeth evans Dec 25, 2011, 3:28pm UTC
So many possibilities.
Len Maxwell Dec 25, 2011, 3:54pm UTC
Yep, we'll see what happens.
*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle Y. Dec 25, 2011, 5:12pm UTC
Merry Christmas, Len!
Ruthi C. Dec 25, 2011, 7:47pm UTC
Merry Christmas, Len!
William Dotani Dec 28, 2011, 3:22am UTC
Time, time, time what has become of me.
Just a S&G song line for this time of year being rather busy, plus me getting lots of beauty sleep.
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaiimasu to yoiotoshio.
Aime Nzouzi Dec 28, 2011, 3:42pm UTC
Well, i have posted on Gather some writing about Christmas. I had what we call a normal Christmas, i ate turkey, drunk juice. I don't drink alcohol. But it will be nice to read answer which will be given by other gather members. I have to say, Christmas is an internotional celebration that many people know around the world. I was pretty glad to celebrate it here in New. It will be nice for me to discover, how they celebrate great days in other religion in New-york. That's fantastic to discover other culture they are a part of us.
Aime Nzouzi Dec 28, 2011, 3:45pm UTC
a very relax as a prompt man!

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