Yes, yes, yes–I know that everyone is overwhelmed with the holidays.  But really, you shouldn’t close your writer’s eye at such a rich time.  So, here’s another exercise that you can do in your mind, as and when it occurs to you.

Pick the second oldest person in your family.  What is the first gift they opened this year?  What was it?  Describe it.  Describe them.  See if you can put their emotion into words.  Make us see it and feel it.

Maybe take notes–all that paper around, going to waste.  Maybe write it out later–the next day, the next week, whenever.  And if you do, send it to me so I can see too!