giftcember

[giftcember]

Giftcember Day 20!

I'm Giftcembering again today 🥰. And the ask for December 20th is to:

Share your favourite tropes and tell us why you love them

This should be fun. TV Tropes might be my favourite site apart from YouTube and AO3. I'll have to keep myself to a reasonable amount because there are a LOT of tropes out there, but here goes:

Scenery Porn: I don't know, there's just something about reading descriptions of the natural world or houses bursting with personality or settings that might as well be a character in of themselves that just tickles my writer brain. I love the visual pictures that writers paint with their words when describing sunsets or gardens or cities or haunted houses, just as much I love doing it in my own writing. It's my jam

Cute Bookworm: It might be bordering on cliche, but I always fall head-over-heels for any character who finds their escape in books. Practically every character I've ever written is a socially-awkward bookworm, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I was a socially-awkward bookworm growing up 👀

Found Family: There will never be anything as emotionally fulfilling as reading/watching characters who are lost and lonely and then finding other lost and lonely people on their journey and, in them, finding the family they've been searching for. No wonder The Last of Us, Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings and Futurama have been my hyperfixations at various points in my life

Four seasons as narrative framing: This one is probably old as dirt, but I just love it whenever I run across it. I'm big into nature symbolism, so of course I'm going to love it when the story and its themes are reflected in the natural environment. I also like it when authors throw it on its head (winter being a joyful time for the characters, the heat of summer being used to reflect rising tension, etc.)

Token Good Teammate: Sometimes I enjoy it for the implausibility and humour of this type of character falling in with a bad bunch, and then other times I love it because it's so interesting to dig into the head of a person who might be trapped with a villainous faction but desperately wants to escape and be better. So much internal dilemma to chew on!

Battle Couple: Because who doesn't love to see two capable, ruthless badasses who trust each other completely and can practically read one another's mind and work perfectly in unison and then, once the battle's over, go back to being all adorable and flirty and deciding what to pick up for dinner?

After The End: Because the concept of what might happens to us after some world-destroying catastrophe is endlessly fascinating and has given us too many incredible books/films/TV shows to count. Post-apocalyptic dystopia is probably my favourite genre of all

Papa Wolf/Mama Bear: Nothing will ever give me a thrill like seeing a righteously angry mum or dad (or adoptive parent or surrogate parent or basically a parental figure of any kind) defending their child/charge.

Food Porn: Yup, same as I love Scenery Porn, I will inhale any writing that goes into loving detail about what the characters are eating or puts a lot of thought and detail as to what kinds of foods the characters might eat. It's a universal experience and it's just one of those touches that help put us in the shoes of the characters. Plus, it's just good fun describing food 😋

Hoist By His Own Petard: Is there anything more satisfying than watching the villain sow the seeds of their own destruction? 😈

Parents as People: I grew up reading a LOT of Jacqueline Wilson books and she was always diligent in portraying her parents as real people with frustrations and dreams and fears and insecurities. Now that I'm an adult myself, I have a greater appreciation for how the things we think we leave behind in childhood actually stay with us for life and how that's okay. Nobody is perfect and it's comforting to read about parents being shown to be flawed but who are trying, just like we all are

Headbutt of Love: Always makes my heart burst whenever I see one 🥰. I find it even more romantic than a kiss. I would've sold my soul to see Joel and Tess do one of these

Sugar and Ice Personality: There's just something so irresistibly sweet about a character who's basically a sour old grump to most people but has a specific person (or persons) that they're pure sunshine to (oh, hi Joel)

Bittersweet Ending: I like a straight happy ending as much as the next person, but I feel like bittersweet endings are easier to relate to because they reflect real life. Sometimes a happy ending is too neat and tidy and it does a disservice to whatever hardships our heroes had to go through on their journey to pretend like everything was resolved at the end. But at the same time, downer endings are just miserable and make you feel like the entire journey was worthless. I like a bittersweet ending because it strikes a balance between the two. That's what I try to aim for, most of the time. I think it has crossover appeal with Earn Your Happy Ending

That's all I can think of for now. Thanks again @two-birds-alone-together for highlighting the Giftcember challenge 🥰

[giftcember]

Giftcember Day 14!

Giftcember continues 🤗. And for day 14, we have:

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love

Since I posted a whole bunch of fics that I love on my birthday recs list earlier this week, I'm going to take the opportunity to highlight some ones that I missed and encourage you to go and give them a read. As per, I've tagged authors where I was able to find them on Tumblr:

after-school special by @audriesfic: In the aftermath of Silver Lake, Joel takes care of Ellie inside an old Dairy Queen and reflects on fatherhood. So beautifully written, the words are all strung together like charms on a bracelet. A perfect blend of post-Silver Lake chills and father-daughter sweetness 🥰

away went a dull winter wind by yukla: Ellie's hand wound festers in the aftermath of Kansas City. I love how this one nudges canon out of the way just a little bit to have Joel and Ellie reach a level of vulnerability that they hadn't quite at this point in the show. Ellie's voice is wonderfully realised. Definitely worth a read.

badlands & wildflowers by echovalley26809: A two-for-one! This two-parter runs with the premise of Joel and Ellie arriving at Salt Lake, only to find all of the Fireflies dead, then wandering aimlessly through the world before returning to try and make a go of it in Jackson. I so love the idea of these two just resorting to being vagabonds for a while and trying to figure out where to go next and I love how at completely at home they are with each other in this fic. Also, Ellie seeing giant redwoods in California like she deserved 🌲

Apogee by sunlight: In which Ellie finds a book and loses it and then Joel finds it and gives it a read, helping him to understand her at a time when she's freezing him out. I love what a hopeful story this is for Ellie, with her finding positive LGBT representation in literature, and then Joel being the best dad, with the ending leaving a little door open for healing in the future regarding The Lie. It's also painstakingly researched and lovingly detailed. It's just so good

Time ticks around you by @treadlightlymydarlinggirl: A lovely, wholesome little Joel-and-Ellie-settling-into-Jackson fic. I love how it shows the Millers becoming a little family and Joel marvelling in the pleasures of the old world after being in survival mode for so long and enjoying getting to share them with Ellie. Also Tommy is so uncle in this it's adorable.

I hope you check these ones out, they're well worth your time. Thanks again to @two-birds-alone-together for circulating the Giftcember rules around on Tumblr 🎄

[giftcember]

Giftcember Day 10!

I'm dipping into Giftcember again, and the task assigned for December 10th is....

Share your favourite headcanon(s)

I have so many disparate The Last of Us headcanons that its a little difficult for me to pin them down at once, but I will try:

Joel only ever talks about Sarah to Tess if he's drunk/high enough. He can never bear to mention her sober and Tess knows better than to bring her up. She could probably talk about her son (who I've named Theo) without having to slam a shot of whisky but she's the one who has to bring him up in conversation - Joel never asks, because he's not in the habit of dredging up the past, either his own or anyone else's.

We'll probably get confirmation in a few months, but for now I'm choosing to believe that Tommy and Maria's baby is a girl, who I've named Ruby Sarah Miller, because the idea of Joel and Tommy both being girl-dads is too adorable to pass up. I'd hoped to feature her in a fic before Season 2 airs, but I'm such a slow writer that that hasn't happened. Should I just disregard canon and do it anyway?

Jackson came across a collection of pirate DVDs in a house during a scavenging run, so they have (bad quality) copies of some of the movies that came out in 2003 before Outbreak Day but hadn't been released on video yet - Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Nemo, Bruce Almighty, Bad Boys 2 and so on (pour one out for these post-September 26th classics that the world never got to see - Elf, Peter Pan, Kill Bill Vol 1, School of Rock, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 😢).

I don't like bananas, therefore I've decided Joel does not like bananas and doesn't miss them in slightest. Tommy does, though, and sometimes pines for banana pudding and banana bread.

Joel, Tommy and Tess survived for about five years as nomads in various groups before settling in Boston. Joel has a wealth of knowledge about wilderness survival (plant identification, building shelter, animal tracking, celestial navigation, etc.) and he teaches it to Ellie as they're journeying across America.

After her experiences in Silver Lake, Ellie becomes a flexitarian who mostly avoids meat. She'll take chicken or turkey if it's available, she's had enough fish, squirrel and rabbit from her time on the road to be comfortable with it, and can't say no to bacon because it turns out it's just that fucking good, but red meat, particularly venison, is an absolute no. Pasta in any form is her favourite (Tommy makes a mean mushroom ragu).

Dina's favourite colour is lavender blue.

Ellie goes through an astrology phase after finding a book about it at the Jackson library and bugs the hell out of Joel because he's not a typical Libra and insists he must be cuspal because he has more traits in common with Virgo. She tries but fail to establish her moon sign and rising sign because she doesn't know exactly what time she was born.

Tommy is a better cook, but Maria is a better baker and that's why she's in charge of birthday cakes because they never work out when Tommy attempts it. As my friend once told me, "Cooking is an art, but baking is a science."

According to the rules of my universe, Joel and Ellie will sort out their shit regarding The Lie years before a certain girl with a braid and a grudge shows up. Ellie will not completely freeze him out for two years, she'll take a requisite amount of time to be mad and work through her feelings with her extended support network (Tommy, Maria, Dina, Jesse) and come to understand Joel's reasons for doing what he did (and maybe coming to accept that the Fireflies' methods were super sketchy and that Marlene betrayed her trust and that her life has worth and value outside of being "the cure"). These two will love each other, dammit! In addition, the aforementioned girl with a braid, however sympathetic her motivations may be, ain’t getting anywhere near Joel, not so long as this author is standing in the way. Sorry, Abby. Nothing personal.

Finally, a slightly smutty one, but Joel is louder than Tess in bed. No real reason why I believe this, I just think it's cute 😏

Thanks again to @two-birds-alone-together for bringing Giftcember's existence to my attention 🥰. This was fun! What are some of your TLOU headcanons?

[giftcember]

Giftcember Day 6!

Big thanks to @two-birds-alone-together for bringing Giftcember to my awareness 🥰. I don't think I'll complete every single one (no way am I getting a fic out in time to gift to someone on Christmas Day 😭), but I thought I'd do a few. So here is December 6th's:

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

With that said, I would like to heartily recommend "As for the lost (we grapple)" by No_Illusions. I've tried looking around to see if I could find them on Tumblr so I could tag them, but no joy. But this is a really great fic and it deserves more love.

The story runs with the premise of what might have happened in Silver Lake if David and his goons had come across an injured Joel before Ellie could get back to him, and heavy angst ensues. It's pretty dark (please heed the tags and warnings before diving in) and not remotely a festive fic for the time of year, but it is beautifully written and devastating and Ellie and Joel are heartbreakingly, perfectly rendered and, if you guys have been following Peripeteia, you all know how much I love a "roles reversed" fic. It's quite short, only four chapters, and I'd also recommend its companion piece "Tho' all the rest are here". I hope you give it a shot and find it as gut-wrenching and moving as I did.

Trigger warnings for violence and non-con.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.��� (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

Giftcember 2024

It's that time of year again!

Rules:

BE NICE.

Be nice.

Be NICE!

Have fun!

Follow @giftcember for fun extras <3

You can participate as much or as little as you want (or not at all! No one is policing this!). I will try to reblog some posts that are tagged with giftcember day [x] each day.

This is open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate, regardless of fandom!

Text-only list below the cut.

Prompt: Snow

Snowman

Movie night

Peppermint

“You’re the reason I’m making these tracks in the snow.” (“Tracks In The Snow” by The Civil Wars)

Put together a fic calendar and read one per day (if it’s multi-chapter, a chapter per day) for the month.

Play a fandom-specific board game, online or in person!

Be kind to a stranger online or in person.

Prompt: Sleigh Ride

Date

Fur

Cold hands

“Forgetting all the blood we drew / but what I do remember is you.” (“Fortune” by William Fitzsimmons)

Share a fic on Tumblr that you think deserves more love.

Leave a comment on a fic you enjoyed but never commented on.

Prompt: Light

Stargazing

Winter Carnival

Sunrise

“We are lights, lights of memory / remembering times long gone.” (“We Are Lights” by Kristin Chenowith)

Send a kind anonymous ask to a Tumblr user.

Share your favorite headcanon(s).

Tell us your favorite holiday or winter traditions!

Prompt: Found Family

Reunion

Eavesdropping

Hurt feelings

“In my heart I know I’ve played the fool / But it was alright when I was playing it for you.” (“Behind the Light” by Joshua Hyslop)

Read a fic by the light of a cozy fire.  (Don’t have a fireplace?  Find a fireplace video!)

Make a post that recommends at least five (5) fics you love.

Prompt: Rebirth

Forgiveness

Ghosts

Letter writing

“I can see a better time when all our dreams come true.” (“Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues)

Participate in the Giftcember Ask Game.

Have a treat and have a hot beverage of your choice while reading fic.

Watch your favorite holiday movie.  Share your thoughts as you watch (one post or liveblog: it doesn’t matter!)

Prompt: Winter Solstice

Taking a bath

Moonlight

Magic

“How lucky are we that we / have lights so that we can see / although the day is done” (“Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies)

Share your favorite tropes and tell us why you love them

Leave a comment on a fic that’s at least 6 months old.

Prompt: Intimacy

Sharing a bed (romantic or platonic)

Meet cute

Baked goods

“Help yourself to happiness, sprinkle it with mirth / close your eyes and concentrate / and dream for all you’re worth.” (“A Dreamer’s Holiday” by Julien Baker)

Share your favorite holiday recipe.

Reach out to that Tumblr user you’ve been thinking about sending a message to (only if they’re open to DMs!)

Gift a fic you write to a mutual or share a recommendation to a mutual for a fic you love. 

Prompt: Fond Memories

Lullaby

Sharing a meal

Wisdom

“This time of year / the memories seem to sting that little bit more.” (“1996” by The Lake Poets)

Give yourself a lil’ treat.

Reblog three fics or other creative works (original or fan art, etc.)

Prompt: Dreams

Ghosts

Fate

Miracles

“And if the ending’s sad, at least these times we’ve had / the good outweighs the bad.” (“Another Year” by FINNEAS)

Have some fandom-specific food.  (TLOU fan?  Chef Boyardee all the way!)

Tell us: how does your favorite character/OTP celebrate the holiday season?

Bonus: 

Leave kudos on a fic!

Share some shameless self-promotion.

Reach out to someone who might be lonely or struggling with the season.

Give yourself half an hour to just… be.

[giftcember]

[giftcember]

[giftcember]