The Insecure Writers Support Group is a marvellous group set up by Alex Cavanagh. On the first Wednesday of every month, members post thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
The link above takes you to details about the group and how to join. You’ll also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge – do check them out.
The awesome co-hosts are are Jacqui Murray, Lisa Buie-Collard, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence!
This month’s question: Other than the obvious holiday traditions, have you ever included any personal or family traditions/customs in your stories?
I haven’t – yet. But there are traditions which I’d consider weaving into a tale someday.
I still recall with great clarity the time my father took my sister & I to a Hindu wedding. The host was his colleague, the bride the host’s daughter, and never having attended any form of wedding service, my eyes were wide open throughout. We would’ve been aged 10 & 9, but only attended a small part of the ceremony as it took place over several days. I’ve been to a number of christian wedding services since, and they do look somewhat bland and rushed in comparison with that long-held memory.
We lost my father 4 years ago, but he started a tradition which all branches of the family now joyfully repeat. My Dad mixed a mean champagne cocktail – a traditional one, none of these modern alternatives – and come any celebratory family gathering, the champagne cocktails get broken out. My father favoured making them in a saucer glass – like these rather wonderful Waterford Crystal glasses my son-in-law flourished this Christmas – for it made it easier to avoid bumping glass & nose for those of us with prominent protuberances!
© Debra Carey, 2020
debsdespatches.com 
Interesting question for which I’ve no answer. My parents and their generation had lots of traditions but my husband and I are more go with the flow people who don’t have traditions, I guess.
I agree about a proper champagne cocktail, btw. If I order one/make one, this is the one I prefer.
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We have a lot of family traditions…too many to mention. Most of them involve going to things year in and year out. The oldest one we have is my daughter and I going to see the thanksgiving balloons being inflated, and then going to Shake Shack for dinner.
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Ally, I’ve been pressing for a more go with the flow attitude for years now 🙂But my mother, who makes me looks minimalist, is never happier than with all her chicks (& their chicks) squashed into one house to celebrate at every possible birthday, high day or holiday. And she has all the kit to cater too …
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How lovely LA. I believe I remember reading about that. Sounds fun 🙂
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I think we consciously tried to create traditions. I thought most people have them especially at times like Christmas. We host dinners at certain times of the year, besides the meals, we have a very orderly sequence on Christmas eve that includes a candlelight service, dinner and opening of presents. I have especially enjoyed the speed Monopoly games of the last 7 years ago when my daughter visits at christmas. It seems to be a tradition that both summer and winter she brings home a new board game and trounces me soundly at it, while laughing and smiling. 🙂
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The Hindu wedding must have been really interesting. And it must be special to continue to use your dad’s recipe.
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Whether you write about it or not, keep that lovely tradition going for as many generations as possible. Thanks for sharing.
Anna from elements of emaginette
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So sorry for my delayed response. I scheduled the post expecting my surgery not to require *quite* so much recovery as it did.
Thank you for your appreciative comment – we will be keeping it going as long as possible.
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Natalie, apologies for my delayed response. I scheduled this post before surgery and didn’t realise quite how long the recovery process would be.
The Hindu wedding was a real eye-opener. Of course, it’s vastly more colourful and noisy that a christian ceremony – and a *lot* longer, lasting over a couple of days. The thing I found the most amusing, even at that age, was how the bride & groom were just left sat in the middle of all the socialising and chatter – poor them, hardly “their” day 🙂
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Oooooo Dave, board games are such fun – it’s been years since I’ve been able to persuade anyone to play them with me. My ex was keen, and always trounced me too 🙂 I absolutely love the sound of your Christmas eve traditions.
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