With Chanukah and American Thanksgiving just around the corner, and festivals of light and Christmas not far behind, some of my friends are at a loss as to what kinds of presents to give or how to connect with their family, friends or communities across the miles. I was mentally masticating on this conundrum as I picked up a wonderful anthology I am reading, Murder for Christmas.Then it struck me like a frying pan to the face—WHAT A GREAT PROJECT TO DO! This being an arts-in-ed blog, I am hoping none of my readers freak out, but instead read on to my three simple, fun, easy ways of celebrating whatever you celebrate with people you care about. AND these suggestions have a base cost of ZERO.
Write a group story
Choose a holiday or winter theme (lighting candles or sledding, for example). Then choose a character (or a few) that is a source of fun or remembrance for the group. Garden gnomes, my grandmother, and dogs are always great story centerpieces in my family. Think of an event or story that is true, and let your mind wander about mischievously to alter it a bit. Write a short paragraph that has a cliff-hanger and some implied action.
Next is the tricky part because you have to play organizer. You don’t want your holiday game to feel like a chore, but you do need people to stick to your schedule or you won’t get any narrative flow. My suggestion is to have everyone choose their dates in advance and make it really easy to remember. So you could have each participant get one of the days of Channukah for example. Set up a separate email thread or Google doc and have everyone go in order, adding to the story on their day (alternatively, you can have everyone record themselves if your group is a bit more tech savvy). When it’s finished, edit the pieces together and send it back around to everyone.
Create a holiday-themed crime scene
You know I create interactive mysteries for events and for homes, and yes that is hard to do. BUT this idea is much simpler and can involve everyone, and is terrific for children. In a nutshell, there are those creating the crime scene, and those who will be detectives. For example, maybe the grown ups are creating it and the kids will be the detectives. The Crime Creators choose a theme, then a crime (something is missing perhaps for a younger crowd), then decide the “who” and the “why” AKA the thief and motive. Set the stage with a few clues and fun props. And voila!
Help solve the crime and make sure sweets and treats are there for rewards. You can guide your Crime Solvers as much or as little as possible, but it’s often better to encourage them to do their detective work as a team. To go the extra mile: Create video or email clues.
Make your own anthology of remembrances
Many of us have had a family or group member collect photos which are then made into a little book (digitally or physically) for a holiday. This idea is similar, and has the advantage of everyone being able to do their part without very much structure. The point person (you) chooses a person or theme. Keep it narrow, because people do better with some specifics to spark their memories and with some structures to build on.
Put out a call or email blast, include a deadline and your own example, and collect the mini-stories and memories as they come rolling back in. For example, I might ask people to share a memory of a time we were all together, including my Texas family. Or, I might suggest that each story have a pet in it, or involve my grandmother. Once you receive the stories, organize them into an arc, maybe add a photo or two. A lovely group gift that will be a surprise for everyone in the group. If it is all digital, the cost is ZERO, or use something shutterfly, vistaprint, snapfish to make an inexpensive lovely “book” with more pictures.
