TASK 002 — Happy Holidays, everybody!
Does your character celebrate Christmas?
Yes, very much so. Callum is big into Christmas and always has been since he was young.
If yes, how do they celebrate? Are they super pro Christmas, or a grinch?
Super pro Christmas. They decorate the small apartment in late November, and then, in December, there is a Christmas-themed movie every night with his daughter (Avie). Christmas Eve is a family night. He will spend the day cooking, and they will put on matching pyjamas, watch more movies and shows, then eat lots of Christmas treats. Avie gets to pick and open one present, and then they put out milk and cookies for Santa and Reindeer treats before they go to bed. Avie likes to sleep with her Dad on Christmas Eve, and he will read her different books until she falls asleep. When she's sound asleep, he will go out and fix all the presents for her, eat the cookies and drink the milk, then climb back into bed. A very tired Callum is woken up VERY EARLY, like 5am, and he shuffles out to watch Avie excitedly open presents. He would usually FaceTime his mom around this time, and they all share in the moment.
What do they eat on Christmas?
Christmas dinner is turkey, stuffing, ham, roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sprouts with lots of gravy. Callum likes cranberry sauce, too. They like cake and custard for their Christmas dessert. Outside of that? Lots of chocolate and snacks. Callum has some wine, and Avie has some grape juice or other fancy juices that are her kid's wine.
What their favourite traditions?
Before they settle down for their Christmas Eve night, they carol sing door to door in the apartment complex to raise money for a local shelter, then donate it and help out for an hour at the shelter. That's Callum's favourite tradition, as he loves to share those moments with Avie and friends but also help others. Avie's favourite tradition is chocolate for breakfast (only on Christmas...and maybe Easter), and calling her Granny Flynn back in Ireland as she opens her presents.
What do they love most about Christmas?
Time off with Avie, making memories, and seeing her happy little face.
What’s the best Christmas present they’ve ever gotten?
For Callum, it was his first guitar when he was 9.
What was their favourite Christmas?
The second Christmas with Avie. The first Christmas had been hard as he came to terms with Hayley leaving them; he was sad and heartbroken. However, the following year, he vowed to make those traditions and moments with his daughter, and he's never been happier since.
Have their Christmas traditions changed since they were a child?
There is much more American influence and culture in his Christmasses with a young daughter growing up in the US. Callum keeps some Irish traditions going with movies, food, and treats, but overall elements have changed. The holiday is much smaller as he doesn't have all of his family, but Callum likes to invite friends around on Christmas day, as he loves a big, happy, laughing home on Christmas.
What’s the Christmas wish this year?
That Avie's troubles ease up. She's been having a tough year since the storm and feels her mother's absence more than ever. Callum hopes that sadness lifts from her and that with the new puppy (he bought her for her birthday) and time off with the family she does have, she will feel better. He wouldn't mind a Christmas kiss from a particular woman friend, but he's not expecting anything. They're just friends having some fun...
What’s their Christmas like? Do they dress fancy or in pyjamas? Presents before or after breakfast, presents on Christmas Eve? What’s their typical Christmas day?
Christmas Eve is pyjamas, and Christmas Day is cheesy jumpers. Presents early on Christmas morning before breakfast. After that, Avie naps on the sofa, watching cartoons, as Callum tidies up and preps dinner. He will invite friends over and then help Avie get ready. They will both be in cheesy Christmas jumpers, and when friends turn up, he will dish out dinner. There will be crackers, and they will all wear silly paper hats. After dinner, there's dessert, and theeeeen its party games/board games with Christmas music.
Anything else?
Here's some gifs from NP that give the vibe:
