Behind the Story: Holiday Bucket Lists

When I started writing Mama Dated Santa, I didn't have a ton of direction. Mostly what I knew was the title and that my main characters were both well, not into the holiday spirit. But as I got to know Trudy, I realized she had been at one point. Then, I just had to figure out what ruined it for her. Of course, with her mom being a widow, it was pretty obvious it was going to have something to do with her dad.
Okay, so then I started exploring her relationship with her Dad. Sure, he loved Christmas. But what made it so special to do Christmas with him? Then, she let me know about their bucket lists.
(Yes. My characters talk to me.)
​So, what is a holiday bucket list?

Well, for Trudy and her dad, their bucket lists were three things they did each year that they'd never done before (or wanted to do again). Things like going to see "The Nutcracker" or the Rockettes, going ice skating, looking at lights, making fudge, etc. Christmas-y experiences.
In some ways, my family has our own Christmas bucket list. Every year we want to make sure we watch certain specials, go see lights while drinking hot chocolate, make time for White Christmas at least once, and a few other parties and activities. But it doesn't change much from year to year.
So, as I was writing Trudy's story, I wanted to make their tradition to do something different each year. Because I do have a "bucket list" of sorts in my own head of things I'd like to do sometime. Like going to see the Rockettes. Or ice skating in New York. Or caroling again.
And with so many different things to do around the holidays, isn't it easy to grow that list until you find something different to do each year? This year, I'm taking my daughter to see the play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." A few years ago we saw "The Nutcracker." Sometime, I'd like to go do the ICE thing at Opryland. You get the idea.
What are some items on your own bucket list? What are some fun activities you've done in the past I could add to mine?

---

​Trudy McNamara doesn’t do Christmas anymore. But she will do anything for her nephew Mark, even take him to visit Santa. After Dad died and the holiday bucket lists stopped, December hasn’t been the same. But Trudy finds herself tangled up with the toy store Santa and Christmas when she discovers her mom … dated Santa.
Nick Russo, manager of Russos’ Toy Emporium, is at a loss as to how to save his family’s store. When Uncle Paul, the Santa and part-owner, hires Trudy to revamp their store, Nick’s life turns upside down. He’s been so focused on the numbers, the Christmas season has become nothing more than one last drive for sales. But Trudy makes him re-evaluate his attitude as well as want to help hers.

Can two holiday-haters renew their love for the season … and more?

---