#sailor moon holiday exchange

[ivywann]

Secret Santa for Artists/Editors/etc

HI !! Im hosting a secret santa on discord for artists, editors, voice actors etc. !!! I need people to join so if ur interested it would be totally awesome if u could sign up,,, not forcing ofc !!

have an awesome day !

[satelliteinasupernova]

For our annual holiday exchange this year with @lynndylee I drew Queen Nehelenia from Sailor Moon.

What a fun character to draw! Merry Christmas @lynndylee!!!

[rabbitcruiser]

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve takes place on the last day of the Gregorian calendar. The first New Year’s Eve festivities date back approximately 4,000 years, to the time of ancient Babylon; Babylonians celebrated the new year during the first new moon after the vernal equinox, in late March. During antiquity, the first days of the new year were celebrated at different times around the world, and the day was usually tied to an agricultural or astronomical event. For example, Egyptians celebrated their new year as the Nile flooded, and the Chinese New Year has long begun with the second new moon after the winter solstice.

In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar consulted with prominent astronomers and mathematicians, and introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the Gregorian calendar. He made January 1 the first day of the year, partly to honor Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. At the time, the new year was celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus, decorating homes with laurel branches, the attendance of parties, and the exchanging of gifts. During the Middle Ages, Christian leaders in Europe changed the date of New Year’s celebrations to coincide with religious holidays such as Christmas and the Feast of Annunciation. In 1582, New Year’s was reestablished to follow the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII.

In modern times, New Year’s Eve is celebrated in various ways around the world. Many people in Spain and Spanish speaking countries eat a dozen grapes right before midnight, to symbolize their hopes for the following months. Ring shaped cakes and pastries are eaten in some countries, which signify that the year has come full circle. Legumes are eaten in various countries, which symbolize coins, and a hope for financial success in the upcoming year; lentils are popular in Italy, and black eyed peas are a favorite in the southern United States. Other popular festivities that cross international boundaries include the watching of fireworks and the singing of songs.

New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it is recognized by some states. Some organizations and stores are closed, offer limited services, or close early; schools are almost always closed. New Year’s Eve events in the United States began to gain prominence in the early 20th century. Many Americans celebrate the day and evening with parties at home and by attending public events at various places and entertainment venues. Often celebrations go long past midnight, into New Year’s Day.

The most prominent public celebration in the United States is the “ball drop” in Times Square in New York City, which has been held each year since 1907, except for a few years during World War II. Celebrations first took place in Times Square in 1904, sans a ball drop. Following the banning of fireworks in 1907, after hot ashes had fallen into the streets, Adolph Ochs, a publisher for the New York Times, wanted to replace them with something. The Times Square ball was inspired by time balls, which signaled to sailors on the seas; sailors set their chronometers after observing time balls with a spyglass. The first time balls were installed in Portsmouth, England, in 1829, and the first in the United States was installed in Washington, D.C., in 1845. The inaugural Times Square ball was made of wood and iron, and was made up of one hundred 25-watt light bulbs. As of 2017, the Times Square ball weighs 11,875 pounds, is twelve feet in diameter, is made up of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, and has 32,256 LED lights. It takes the ball sixty seconds to drop down a seventy foot poll to the top of the roof on One Times Square, where it lands as midnight strikes. Similar events are held in towns and cities around the country. The surrounding geography, culture, and history inspires what is dropped as the new year begins—animals, fruit, vegetables, automobiles, and industrial machinery have all been used. Atlanta has a “peach drop” as Georgia is the peach state; Brasstown, North Carolina, lowers a live possum in a glass enclosure; and Port Clinton, Ohio, drops a six hundred pound walleye.

In 1928, Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, began playing an annual New Year’s Eve event at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Up until 1956 the event was broadcasted on the radio, and from 1956 until 1976 it was broadcasted on television, along with coverage of the ball drop. Lombardo’s group were most known for their playing of “Auld Lang Syne,” which they helped turn into the standard song of New Year’s Eve. “Auld Lang Syne” was a Scottish poem put to paper by Robert Burns in 1788. The melody is from an even older Scottish folk song. The literal translation of the song is “old long times,” meaning something close to “once upon a time.” The song first became used at British and Scottish funerals, farewells, and group celebrations, before Lombardo began playing it in the United States.

“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” debuted on NBC in 1973, moved to ABC in 1975, and was hosted by Dick Clark for over thirty years. It was Clark’s intention that it would be a younger alternative to Lombardo’s big band music. Central Park’s Midnight Run is another New York City tradition, where fireworks are shot off, and a race around the park begins at midnight. Some other larger cities that now hold large public New Year’s Eve celebrations include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Major theme parks such as Disney World and Disneyland also hold celebrations.

In the Catholic Church, January 1 is a day honoring the Virgin Mary, where a mass is attended. A vigil Mass is often held the night before on New Year’s Eve. Many other Christian churches have “Watch Night” services, which are services that go past midnight. Attendees give thanks for the blessings of the previous year, and pray for blessings in the year ahead. These services trace their roots back to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

New Year’s Eve is being observed today! It has always been observed annually on December 31st.

There are many ways you could celebrate the day and evening. Gather with family or friends at a home, find a public event, or go to an establishment that is having a New Year’s Eve party, where there may be music, dancing, drinks, and food. If you are celebrating at someone’s house, you could bring along a snack or a bottle of Champagne. Watch the ball drop and other coverage of the new year on television, or ring in the new year by setting off your own fireworks and singing “Auld Lang Syne.” If you are feeling more contemplative you could write new year’s resolutions, detailing things you hope to accomplish in the following year, or you could attend a church service or Mass.

Source

[brookston]

Holidays 9.9

Holidays

Administrators’ Day (Brazil)

Alita Day

Amalthea Discovery Day (5th Moon of Jupiter)

Anti-Jim Jefferies Day (Reno, Nevada)

Armed Forces Day (Ukraine)

Blessed Father Jaques Level Day (Mauritius)

Bonza Bottler Day

Care Bears Share Your Care Day

Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day

Children’s Day (Costa Rica)

Chrysanthemum Day (a.k.a. Kiku no Sekku; Japan)

Danae Asteroid Day

Day of Remembrance for the Missing Sailors at Sea (Italy)

Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence (Slovakia)

Emergency Services Day (UK)

Falsely Accused Day

FASD Day (a.k.a. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day)

Father Jacques Level Day (Mauritius)

Fortune-Telling Day

Free Dentistry Day

Happy Dog Day

Hari Taika (a.k.a. Teej; Nepal, women employees only)

Haritalika Teej (Sikkim, India)

Holocaust Victims and Racial Hatred Day (Slovakia)

Hops Day (French Republic)

International Beauty Day

International Day to Protect Education from Attack (UN)

International Douchebag Day

International 9P Minus Awareness Day

International Sudoku Day

Marathon Day

Melete Asteroid Day

Memorial Day for the Victims of the Crimean War (Russia, Ukraine)

National African Immigrant & Refugee HIV & Hepatitis Awareness Day

National Clean Out Your Garage Day

National Day (Bulgaria)

National Himalayan Mountain Day

National Human Rights Day (Colombia)

National Komuz Day (Kyrgyzstan)

National Share Your Care Day

National Sports Day (Indonesia)

999 Day (UK)

Osmeña Day (Philippines)

State Security Employees Day (Moldova)

Teddy Bear Day

Tester’s Day

Thimphu Drubchoe (Bhutan)

Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Day (Thailand)

TR-909 Day

Wonderful Weirdos Day

World Day of Agriculture

World EV Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Box Wine Day

International Buy a Priest a Beer Day

National ‘I Love Food’ Day

National Steak au Poivre Day

National Wiener Schnitzel Day (a.k.a. Wienerschnitzel Day)

Pufferfish Day (Japan)

Wyatt Earp Prime Beef Day

Independence & Related Days

California Statehood Day (#31; 1850)

The Empire of Treeland (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Izmir Independence Day (Turkey)

Mina Foundation Day (Philippines)

North Korea (from Korea, 1948)

San Dover (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

Tajikistan (from USSR, 1991)

2nd Monday in September

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (Staffordshire, UK) [Wakes Monday; 1st Monday after 9.4]

I’m on Top of It Day [2nd Monday]

Marinara Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Mindful Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Missing Children’s Day (Florida) [2nd Monday]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

National Boss/Employee Exchange Day [2nd Monday]

National Fraternity and Sorority Day [2nd Monday]

Wakes Monday [1st Monday after 9.4]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 9 (2nd Full Week of September)

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (thru 9.15)

International Air Ambulance Week (thru 9.15)

Line Dance Week (thru 9.14) [Starts 2nd Monday thru Saturday]

Festivals Beginning September 9, 2024

Cascamorras (Guadix, Spain)

North Alabama State Fair (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) [thru 9.15]

Sochi Jazz Festival (Sochi, Russia) [thru 9.15]

Taste of Newton (Newton, Kansas)

White County Fair (Searcy, Arkansas) [thru 9.12]

Feast Days

Be Irritatingly Nice Day (Pastafarian)

Bettelin (Christian; Saint)

Charles Lowder (Church of England)

Chrysanthemum Wine Day (Everyday Wicca)

Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (Christian; Saint)

Constance, Nun, and her Companions (Episcopal Church)

Dean Corll Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Festivity of Our Lady of Arantzazu (Oñati)

Gorgonius, Dorotheus, and companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Humphrey the Badger (Muppetism)

Issac the Great (a.k.a. Sahak; Christian; Saint)

James Hilton (Writerism)

Kiaran of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Lake of the Black Goddess (Celtic Book of Days)

Leo Tolstoy (Writerism)

Media Aestas VII (Pagan)

Milk Bathing Festival (Shamanism)

Montgolfier (Positivist; Saint)

Ogle an Orchid Day (Pastafarian)

Omer (a.k.a. Audomarus; Christian; Saint)

Osmanna (Christian; Saint)

Our Lady of Arantzazu (Oñati; Christian; Saint)

Peter Claver (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance for Herman the Cheruscan (The Troth)

Santa Maria de la Cabeza (Saint Mary of the Head)

Sol LeWitt (Artology)

Synaxis of Ss. Joachim and Anna, an Afterfeast. (Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches)

Tzom Gedaliah (Judaism) [Tishrei 3]

Wonderful Weirdos Day Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s International Douchebag Day.)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [44 of 57]

Unlucky Day (Japan)

Unluckiest Day of the Year (Japan)

Premieres

Band of Brothers (TV Mini-Series; 2001)

Bear Raid Warden (MGM Cartoon; 1944)

Beast of Burden, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1978)

Blonde Venus (Film; 1932)

Boys Town (Film; 1938)

Fat Albert and the Crosby Kids (Animated TV Series; 1972)

Fringe (TV Series; 2008)

Galileo, by Bertolt Brecht (Play; 1943)

George of the Jungle (Animated TV Series; 1967)

The Goose Flies High (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Heavier Things, by John Mayer (Album; 2003)

Imagine, by John Lennon (Song; 1971)

Just a Gigolo (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

King, Queen, Knave, by Vladimir Nabokov (Novel; 1928)

Love of Life (TV Soap Opera; 1951)

The Mating Season, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1949) [Jeeves #9]

The Maze Runner (Film; 2014)

Mickey’s Parrot (Disney Cartoon; 1938)

National Broadcasting Company (Radio Network; 1926)

New Adventures in Hi-Fi, by R.E.M. (Album; 1996)

Nikita (TV Series; 2010)

9 (Animated Film; 2009)

Pink Bananas (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Pinktails for Two (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Pinky and the Brain (Animated TV Series; 1995)

Ragged Glory, by Neil Young (Album; 1990)

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special (WB Animated TV Special; 2012)

Running on Empty (Film; 1988)

Signals, by Rush (Album; 1982)

Silly Hillbilly (Fleischer/Famous Pope Cartoon; 1949)

Sioux Me (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Sk8er Boi, by Avril Lavigne (Song; 2002)

Soda Squirt (MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Some Girls (Film; 1988)

Soul Man, by Sam and Dave (Song; 1967)

Spider-Man (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Sully (Film; 2016)

The Sultan’s Pearl (George of the Jungle Cartoon; 1967) [#1]

Super Chicken (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Time Tunnel (TV Series; 1966)

Tom and Chérie (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Tom Slick (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Vexations, by Erik Satie (Piano Round to Be Played 840 TImes; 1963)

The Way of Zen, by Alan W. Watts (Spiritual Book; 1957)

Welcome Back, Kotter (TV Series; 1975)

The Zipper (Super Chicken Cartoon; 1967) [#1]

Today’s Name Days

Edgar, Grogonius, Otmar, Pedro (Austria)

Petar, Strahimir (Croatia)

Daniela (Czech Republic)

Gorgonius (Denmark)

Taidi, Taima, Taimi (Estonia)

Eevert, Isto, Vertti (Finland)

Alain, Omer (France)

Edgar, Otmar, Pedro (Germany)

Ioakeim, Joahim, Kiaran (Greece)

Ádám (Hungary)

Pietro, Sergio (Italy)

Bruno, Telma (Latvia)

Argintas, Ramutė, Sergejus (Lithuania)

Trygve, Trym, Tyra (Norway)

Augustyna, Aureliusz, Dionizy, Gorgoncjusz, Pimen, Piotr, Ścibor, Ścibora, Sergiusz, Sobiesąd (Poland)

Martina (Slovakia)

Arancha, Arantxa, Arantza, Arantzazu, Aránzazu, Pedro (Spain)

Anita, Annette (Sweden)

Joachim, Severyn (Ukraine)

Jada, Jade, Jadee, Jaden, Jadon, Jadyn, Jaiden, Jayda, Jayden, Jaydon (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 253 of 2024; 113 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 37 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 9 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 7 (Bing-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 6 Elul 5784

Islamic: 5 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 13 Gold; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 27 August 2024

Moon: 35%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 1 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Montalvan]

Runic Half Month: Ken (Illumination) [Day 3 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 82 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of September

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 19 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Shakespeare (The Modern Drama) [Month 10 of 13; Positivist]

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 9.9

Holidays

Administrators’ Day (Brazil)

Alita Day

Amalthea Discovery Day (5th Moon of Jupiter)

Anti-Jim Jefferies Day (Reno, Nevada)

Armed Forces Day (Ukraine)

Blessed Father Jaques Level Day (Mauritius)

Bonza Bottler Day

Care Bears Share Your Care Day

Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day

Children’s Day (Costa Rica)

Chrysanthemum Day (a.k.a. Kiku no Sekku; Japan)

Danae Asteroid Day

Day of Remembrance for the Missing Sailors at Sea (Italy)

Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence (Slovakia)

Emergency Services Day (UK)

Falsely Accused Day

FASD Day (a.k.a. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day)

Father Jacques Level Day (Mauritius)

Fortune-Telling Day

Free Dentistry Day

Happy Dog Day

Hari Taika (a.k.a. Teej; Nepal, women employees only)

Haritalika Teej (Sikkim, India)

Holocaust Victims and Racial Hatred Day (Slovakia)

Hops Day (French Republic)

International Beauty Day

International Day to Protect Education from Attack (UN)

International Douchebag Day

International 9P Minus Awareness Day

International Sudoku Day

Marathon Day

Melete Asteroid Day

Memorial Day for the Victims of the Crimean War (Russia, Ukraine)

National African Immigrant & Refugee HIV & Hepatitis Awareness Day

National Clean Out Your Garage Day

National Day (Bulgaria)

National Himalayan Mountain Day

National Human Rights Day (Colombia)

National Komuz Day (Kyrgyzstan)

National Share Your Care Day

National Sports Day (Indonesia)

999 Day (UK)

Osmeña Day (Philippines)

State Security Employees Day (Moldova)

Teddy Bear Day

Tester’s Day

Thimphu Drubchoe (Bhutan)

Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries Day (Thailand)

TR-909 Day

Wonderful Weirdos Day

World Day of Agriculture

World EV Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Box Wine Day

International Buy a Priest a Beer Day

National ‘I Love Food’ Day

National Steak au Poivre Day

National Wiener Schnitzel Day (a.k.a. Wienerschnitzel Day)

Pufferfish Day (Japan)

Wyatt Earp Prime Beef Day

Independence & Related Days

California Statehood Day (#31; 1850)

The Empire of Treeland (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Izmir Independence Day (Turkey)

Mina Foundation Day (Philippines)

North Korea (from Korea, 1948)

San Dover (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

Tajikistan (from USSR, 1991)

2nd Monday in September

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (Staffordshire, UK) [Wakes Monday; 1st Monday after 9.4]

I’m on Top of It Day [2nd Monday]

Marinara Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Meditation Monday [Every Monday]

Mindful Monday [2nd Monday of Each Month]

Missing Children’s Day (Florida) [2nd Monday]

Monday Musings [Every Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

National Boss/Employee Exchange Day [2nd Monday]

National Fraternity and Sorority Day [2nd Monday]

Wakes Monday [1st Monday after 9.4]

Weekly Holidays beginning September 9 (2nd Full Week of September)

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (thru 9.15)

International Air Ambulance Week (thru 9.15)

Line Dance Week (thru 9.14) [Starts 2nd Monday thru Saturday]

Festivals Beginning September 9, 2024

Cascamorras (Guadix, Spain)

North Alabama State Fair (Muscle Shoals, Alabama) [thru 9.15]

Sochi Jazz Festival (Sochi, Russia) [thru 9.15]

Taste of Newton (Newton, Kansas)

White County Fair (Searcy, Arkansas) [thru 9.12]

Feast Days

Be Irritatingly Nice Day (Pastafarian)

Bettelin (Christian; Saint)

Charles Lowder (Church of England)

Chrysanthemum Wine Day (Everyday Wicca)

Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (Christian; Saint)

Constance, Nun, and her Companions (Episcopal Church)

Dean Corll Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Festivity of Our Lady of Arantzazu (Oñati)

Gorgonius, Dorotheus, and companions (Christian; Martyrs)

Humphrey the Badger (Muppetism)

Issac the Great (a.k.a. Sahak; Christian; Saint)

James Hilton (Writerism)

Kiaran of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Lake of the Black Goddess (Celtic Book of Days)

Leo Tolstoy (Writerism)

Media Aestas VII (Pagan)

Milk Bathing Festival (Shamanism)

Montgolfier (Positivist; Saint)

Ogle an Orchid Day (Pastafarian)

Omer (a.k.a. Audomarus; Christian; Saint)

Osmanna (Christian; Saint)

Our Lady of Arantzazu (Oñati; Christian; Saint)

Peter Claver (Christian; Saint)

Remembrance for Herman the Cheruscan (The Troth)

Santa Maria de la Cabeza (Saint Mary of the Head)

Sol LeWitt (Artology)

Synaxis of Ss. Joachim and Anna, an Afterfeast. (Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches)

Tzom Gedaliah (Judaism) [Tishrei 3]

Wonderful Weirdos Day Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s International Douchebag Day.)

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [44 of 57]

Unlucky Day (Japan)

Unluckiest Day of the Year (Japan)

Premieres

Band of Brothers (TV Mini-Series; 2001)

Bear Raid Warden (MGM Cartoon; 1944)

Beast of Burden, by The Rolling Stones (Song; 1978)

Blonde Venus (Film; 1932)

Boys Town (Film; 1938)

Fat Albert and the Crosby Kids (Animated TV Series; 1972)

Fringe (TV Series; 2008)

Galileo, by Bertolt Brecht (Play; 1943)

George of the Jungle (Animated TV Series; 1967)

The Goose Flies High (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1938)

Heavier Things, by John Mayer (Album; 2003)

Imagine, by John Lennon (Song; 1971)

Just a Gigolo (Betty Boop Cartoon; 1932)

King, Queen, Knave, by Vladimir Nabokov (Novel; 1928)

Love of Life (TV Soap Opera; 1951)

The Mating Season, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1949) [Jeeves #9]

The Maze Runner (Film; 2014)

Mickey’s Parrot (Disney Cartoon; 1938)

National Broadcasting Company (Radio Network; 1926)

New Adventures in Hi-Fi, by R.E.M. (Album; 1996)

Nikita (TV Series; 2010)

9 (Animated Film; 2009)

Pink Bananas (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Pinktails for Two (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Pinky and the Brain (Animated TV Series; 1995)

Ragged Glory, by Neil Young (Album; 1990)

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special (WB Animated TV Special; 2012)

Running on Empty (Film; 1988)

Signals, by Rush (Album; 1982)

Silly Hillbilly (Fleischer/Famous Pope Cartoon; 1949)

Sioux Me (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

Sk8er Boi, by Avril Lavigne (Song; 2002)

Soda Squirt (MGM Cartoon; 1933)

Some Girls (Film; 1988)

Soul Man, by Sam and Dave (Song; 1967)

Spider-Man (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Sully (Film; 2016)

The Sultan’s Pearl (George of the Jungle Cartoon; 1967) [#1]

Super Chicken (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Time Tunnel (TV Series; 1966)

Tom and Chérie (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Tom Slick (Animated TV Series; 1967)

Vexations, by Erik Satie (Piano Round to Be Played 840 TImes; 1963)

The Way of Zen, by Alan W. Watts (Spiritual Book; 1957)

Welcome Back, Kotter (TV Series; 1975)

The Zipper (Super Chicken Cartoon; 1967) [#1]

Today’s Name Days

Edgar, Grogonius, Otmar, Pedro (Austria)

Petar, Strahimir (Croatia)

Daniela (Czech Republic)

Gorgonius (Denmark)

Taidi, Taima, Taimi (Estonia)

Eevert, Isto, Vertti (Finland)

Alain, Omer (France)

Edgar, Otmar, Pedro (Germany)

Ioakeim, Joahim, Kiaran (Greece)

Ádám (Hungary)

Pietro, Sergio (Italy)

Bruno, Telma (Latvia)

Argintas, Ramutė, Sergejus (Lithuania)

Trygve, Trym, Tyra (Norway)

Augustyna, Aureliusz, Dionizy, Gorgoncjusz, Pimen, Piotr, Ścibor, Ścibora, Sergiusz, Sobiesąd (Poland)

Martina (Slovakia)

Arancha, Arantxa, Arantza, Arantzazu, Aránzazu, Pedro (Spain)

Anita, Annette (Sweden)

Joachim, Severyn (Ukraine)

Jada, Jade, Jadee, Jaden, Jadon, Jadyn, Jaiden, Jayda, Jayden, Jaydon (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 253 of 2024; 113 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of Week 37 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Muin (Vine) [Day 9 of 28]

Chinese: Month 8 (Guy-You), Day 7 (Bing-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 6 Elul 5784

Islamic: 5 Rabi I 1446

J Cal: 13 Gold; Sixday [13 of 30]

Julian: 27 August 2024

Moon: 35%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 1 Shakespeare (10th Month) [Montalvan]

Runic Half Month: Ken (Illumination) [Day 3 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 82 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of September

Zodiac: Virgo (Day 19 of 32)

Calendar Changes

Shakespeare (The Modern Drama) [Month 10 of 13; Positivist]

[daikon1]

Teammates Don’t Kiss Chapter 3 - An Interlude

Today is @allyunabridged’s birthday, so I deliberately timed one of her @sailormoonholiday giftfic chapters to post today!

Happy birthday, Rogue, and I hope you enjoy!!

If you only have time to R&R one story today, please make it one of hers! If you have time for more than one, please enjoy some post-battle UsaMamo “teammate” bonding time!!

FFN here

[starlingsinclair]

Um, I’m literally working on this as I post this because it will be complete by Christmas! But, happy holidays @sessediz​! And thanks @sailormoonholiday​ for hosting this!

[moon-daisuki]

Sailor Moon Holiday Gift Exchange 2020

 Hey @kaleidodreams, @sailormoonholiday I am your Secret Santa. You asked for the Outers with Santa, and family and romance. I think this would fit somewhere before Stars season.  I hope this brings you joy,  Merry Christmas! ;)

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13771650/1/Hey-Santa

[floraone]

OH MY FUCKING GOD. THE SWEATERS. HOW FUCKING PERFECT IS THIS?! GAH?!?!

Holiday gift for @yanmazu for the gift exchange hosted by @sailormoonholiday ! I used the prompt 'Ugly Sweater Competition' with my giftee's favourite characters. I hope you like it @yanmazu! And a MASSIVE thank you for the organizers for this fun!♡ Happy Holidays everyone🎄🤶

[rabbitcruiser]

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve takes place on the last day of the Gregorian calendar. The first New Year’s Eve festivities date back approximately 4,000 years, to the time of ancient Babylon; Babylonians celebrated the new year during the first new moon after the vernal equinox, in late March. During antiquity, the first days of the new year were celebrated at different times around the world, and the day was usually tied to an agricultural or astronomical event. For example, Egyptians celebrated their new year as the Nile flooded, and the Chinese New Year has long begun with the second new moon after the winter solstice.

In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar consulted with prominent astronomers and mathematicians, and introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the Gregorian calendar. He made January 1 the first day of the year, partly to honor Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. At the time, the new year was celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus, decorating homes with laurel branches, the attendance of parties, and the exchanging of gifts. During the Middle Ages, Christian leaders in Europe changed the date of New Year’s celebrations to coincide with religious holidays such as Christmas and the Feast of Annunciation. In 1582, New Year’s was reestablished to follow the Gregorian calendar by Pope Gregory XIII.

In modern times, New Year’s Eve is celebrated in various ways around the world. Many people in Spain and Spanish speaking countries eat a dozen grapes right before midnight, to symbolize their hopes for the following months. Ring shaped cakes and pastries are eaten in some countries, which signify that the year has come full circle. Legumes are eaten in various countries, which symbolize coins, and a hope for financial success in the upcoming year; lentils are popular in Italy, and black eyed peas are a favorite in the southern United States. Other popular festivities that cross international boundaries include the watching of fireworks and the singing of songs.

New Year’s Eve is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it is recognized by some states. Some organizations and stores are closed, offer limited services, or close early; schools are almost always closed. New Year’s Eve events in the United States began to gain prominence in the early 20th century. Many Americans celebrate the day and evening with parties at home and by attending public events at various places and entertainment venues. Often celebrations go long past midnight, into New Year’s Day.

The most prominent public celebration in the United States is the “ball drop” in Times Square in New York City, which has been held each year since 1907, except for a few years during World War II. Celebrations first took place in Times Square in 1904, sans a ball drop. Following the banning of fireworks in 1907, after hot ashes had fallen into the streets, Adolph Ochs, a publisher for the New York Times, wanted to replace them with something. The Times Square ball was inspired by time balls, which signaled to sailors on the seas; sailors set their chronometers after observing time balls with a spyglass. The first time balls were installed in Portsmouth, England, in 1829, and the first in the United States was installed in Washington, D.C., in 1845. The inaugural Times Square ball was made of wood and iron, and was made up of one hundred 25-watt light bulbs. As of 2017, the Times Square ball weighs 11,875 pounds, is twelve feet in diameter, is made up of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, and has 32,256 LED lights. It takes the ball sixty seconds to drop down a seventy foot poll to the top of the roof on One Times Square, where it lands as midnight strikes. Similar events are held in towns and cities around the country. The surrounding geography, culture, and history inspires what is dropped as the new year begins—animals, fruit, vegetables, automobiles, and industrial machinery have all been used. Atlanta has a “peach drop” as Georgia is the peach state; Brasstown, North Carolina, lowers a live possum in a glass enclosure; and Port Clinton, Ohio, drops a six hundred pound walleye.

In 1928, Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, began playing an annual New Year’s Eve event at New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Up until 1956 the event was broadcasted on the radio, and from 1956 until 1976 it was broadcasted on television, along with coverage of the ball drop. Lombardo’s group were most known for their playing of “Auld Lang Syne,” which they helped turn into the standard song of New Year’s Eve. “Auld Lang Syne” was a Scottish poem put to paper by Robert Burns in 1788. The melody is from an even older Scottish folk song. The literal translation of the song is “old long times,” meaning something close to “once upon a time.” The song first became used at British and Scottish funerals, farewells, and group celebrations, before Lombardo began playing it in the United States.

“New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” debuted on NBC in 1973, moved to ABC in 1975, and was hosted by Dick Clark for over thirty years. It was Clark’s intention that it would be a younger alternative to Lombardo’s big band music. Central Park’s Midnight Run is another New York City tradition, where fireworks are shot off, and a race around the park begins at midnight. Some other larger cities that now hold large public New Year’s Eve celebrations include Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Major theme parks such as Disney World and Disneyland also hold celebrations.

In the Catholic Church, January 1 is a day honoring the Virgin Mary, where a mass is attended. A vigil Mass is often held the night before on New Year’s Eve. Many other Christian churches have “Watch Night” services, which are services that go past midnight. Attendees give thanks for the blessings of the previous year, and pray for blessings in the year ahead. These services trace their roots back to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

New Year’s Eve is being observed today! It has always been observed annually on December 31st.

There are many ways you could celebrate the day and evening. Gather with family or friends at a home, find a public event, or go to an establishment that is having a New Year’s Eve party, where there may be music, dancing, drinks, and food. If you are celebrating at someone’s house, you could bring along a snack or a bottle of Champagne. Watch the ball drop and other coverage of the new year on television, or ring in the new year by setting off your own fireworks and singing “Auld Lang Syne.” If you are feeling more contemplative you could write new year’s resolutions, detailing things you hope to accomplish in the following year, or you could attend a church service or Mass.

Source

[smolbuns-in-mytums]

I have the holiday blues but today was so nice to receive a little parcel from a sweet friend of mine. What more can you ask for ? Bts,sailor moon,cats and all the cute stickers and such. It warms my heart that my friends always try to make me happy even though our friendship itself makes me the happiest. It’s not about the materialistic things but for someone to go out of their way and put something so sweet together for you is just so nice.

[daikon1]

Cuuuute!!

To: @astarinsomebodyelsessky Prompt: Poinsettias and Carol of the Bells Merry Christmas, @astarinsomebodyelsessky! My main talent is manga coloring but unfortunately I couldn’t find any Christmas-themed coloring pictures, so I hope you like this picture of Venus and Jupiter instead! I chose them because they were listed in the two prompts noted above and I figured you’d like to see them together. I chose this picture in particular because I thought it was the cutest one out of everything I found! Anyway, I hope you have a safe and blessed holiday!

[daikon1]

Teammates Don’t Kiss Chapter 4 - Resolving Petty Squabbles

Here is chapter four of my @sailormoonholiday gift for @allyunabridged!! Please enjoy 😉

When the city starts to go nuts over a mysterious new pet, Mamoru is suddenly glad he decided it wasn’t appropriate to buy Usagi one of those things...

FFN here

[moonchildoh8]

Snow Bound Ch. 4 - 'All I wanna do is dance'

Chapter Summary: Usagi meets the sister she never knew.

Chapters: 4/6 Fandom: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Chiba Mamoru/Tsukino Usagi, Aino Minako/Hino Rei Characters: Tsukino Usagi, Chiba Mamoru, Furuhata Motoki, Kino Makoto, Mizuno Ami, Aino Minako, Hino Rei Additional Tags: Christmas Meet-Cute, Christmas Fluff, airbnb, Snowed In, Snowpocolypse, Mamoru is a butthead and Usagi is human, Flawed people loving one another, Not a Hallmark movie...or is it? Series: Part 2 of Sailor Moon Gift Exchanges 2021 Summary:

Written for @areptiledysfunction1107 for the Sailor Moon Holiday Exchange on Tumblr 2021.

The prompt was "Snowed in".

Usagi is a 23-year-old bartender from Tennessee who is looking to escape her grief from the loss of her mother by spending Christmas alone in a small, snowy town. Mamoru is a neurosurgical resident from New York City who has lost faith in his abilities as a doctor after losing a patient for the first time and needs space to forgive himself. When a winter storm leaves them snowed in together at their Airbnb they learn that sometimes the right person comes into your life when you least expect it.

[sailorsoapbox]

What a lovely story! I especially liked the parts discussing the Outers' roles in Crystal Tokyo. It's funny to think that the new millennium was twenty years ago - I still remember New Year's Eve 1999 clearly. Thank you so much 🥰

Here’s the gift I wrote for @sailorsoapbox as part of the @sailormoonholiday gift exchange. It may be twenty years too late, but let’s celebrate like it’s 2000 all over again! Happy Holidays and Happy (Early) New Year’s!

Summary:  Michiru and Haruka celebrate the beginning of a new millennium. (FF.net)

[captain-emmajones]

everything is icy and blue (you would be here too)

Dearest @klynn-stormz​, Merry Christmas! It has been so lovely to get to know you during this past month. I hope you’ll enjoy this gift I wrote for you, and here’s to hoping we’ll get to know each other more during this new year! 

A big thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 for organizing this event, to @therealstartraveller776 for being the loveliest beta and to @carpedzem for screaming at me -- always. 

Summary: Canon divergence in which season 3B happens during Christmas time. Set after 3x16 and before 3x17 (let’s pretend more time passed between Neal’s death and Hook’s curse).  

When Hook has to adjust to Storybrooke’s Christmas traditions and learns about mistletoe, he starts carrying it around with him, all the time -- just in case Emma decides to join in the fun that was promised and kiss him. Except it doesn’t exactly go according to his plans.

 6OOO words - Fluff - Angst - Ao3

The sun is long gone when Hook and Henry finally sail back home. The stars and the moon have invaded the night sky, twinkling peacefully above their heads. 

Hook exhales a sigh of contentment, twirls of white smoke dancing out of his lips. 

“Quite chilly, isn’t it, lad?” 

Henry stands before him, spyglass firmly pressed against his right eye. It seems to take him a few seconds to register that Hook has been talking to him. 

“What?...No! I’m not even cold!” 

A quiet laughter jolts out of Hook’s mouth. Of course he isn’t cold. The lad has been looking mesmerized ever since they left port. It is a miracle he still knows his name. 

A mechanical swing of the wheel, cold fingers against cold metal -- and not warm wood, not like the Jolly -- and the small boat Hook has ‘burrowed’ slides gracefully into port. 

“Almost there, lad.” 

If Henry hears him speak, nothing in his demeanor gives it away. Hook’s heart smiles as something warm swells inside his chest. 

The sailor has to admit that Storybrooke’s docks in this late winter afternoon have proven to be a sight for sore eyes. They seem forever entrapped in shimmering clouds of misty darkness, the pavement glistening under unusually bright street lights. 

Hook frowns. 

“Tell me something lad, why are those street lights this colorful?” 

His question causes Henry to finally give up on the spyglass. He clicks it shut, and abandons the front of the boat to reach him. 

“Christmas lights. Why do you ask?” 

Although Hook has very little idea what this Christmas thing is, he gathers from Henry’s matter-of-fact tone that it is on the list of things he shouldn’t be talking about with the boy if he doesn’t want Emma to kill him. 

“Oh, just like that, lad. My vision must not be what it used to, because I couldn’t make them out properly.” 

. 

Emma’s cheeks are flushed and her nose stained with red when Hook and Henry finally reach her. Her slim body appears tense under the quivering lights of the docks, and there is not an inch of her skin showing. 

“Everything alright?” she asks, voice hoarse from the cold. 

Her head is buried beneath what she calls “a beanie”. It is also red, and it is positively the most wonderful vision Hook’s had the pleasure of gazing at in weeks. 

“I think so, Swan. The lad is quite fond of the sea. Isn’t that right, Henry?” 

Henry is polite enough to look up from the video game he was already engrossed in to nod vigorously. 

“Yeah, it was so much fun. Thank you for taking me, Killian.” Henry dedicates a smile to Hook, to which the pirate answers back: “T’was my pleasure, lad.” 

The boy then shifts his attention to his mother. “Can I go wait in the car?” he asks. 

Hook watches as Emma pretends to think, for one minute -- eyes rolling and underlip tucked between her teeth -- before she drops the car keys into his hand. 

“Thanks, Mom. Bye, Killian!” Four words and the boy disappears as a gust of cold wind curls around the two warm bodies still outside. 

Emma scoffs a little as her eyes linger on her son settling himself comfortably in the yellow bug parked a few feet away and raises her eyes to gaze at Hook. 

The immediate effect it has on his heart rate is truly ridiculous, and Hook cannot hold back his smile. 

“Thank you for taking him,” she mutters quickly, scrunching her nose -- and her words seem to burn her lips.

Hook sees himself lean into her space, smirking. 

“Why, you’re most welcome, Swan.” 

He watches as her eyes widen and scrutinize him before a slow, timid smile curls up her lips. 

Behind her back, the waves crash tenderly against the harbour, claiming it as home. 

It’s always a sight for sore eyes, Emma Swan smiling at him, and Hook counts his blessings. 

“Oh, by the way, tell me something, Swan,” and as he speaks he leans into her space even more, bending forward as if Henry might hear them. 

Emma’s eyes grow wider, but she does not back away. 

It isn’t necessary, of course, and it isn’t like Henry is paying any attention to two of them anyway but neither Hook nor Emma seem willing to take that into account. 

“Yeah?” 

Her breathy tone and bright eyes cause Hook’s heart to leap inside his chest. As he squeezes his belt between his fingers to gain some composure, Hook gathers enough courage to incline his body towards hers even more, lips dangerously close to Emma’s face. 

“The lad mentioned a Christmas celebration, and I’m afraid I haven’t been updated on this subject.” 

Hook catches a whiff of Emma’s fragrance as he backs away to gaze into her eyes, cinnamon and vanilla invading his lungs, and he has the pleasure of seeing her face crease into a wider smile. 

“Christmas, uh? Don’t worry, I’ll make you flashcards.” 

“I don't know what that is but sure.” 

By the time he finishes his sentence, Emma’s grin is dazzling and Hook begins considering freezing this moment forever in time and possibly angling his face just right so that he might meet her lips, perhaps, just perhaps -- 

“It’s a holiday from our world. It’s supposed to be religious, but for most people it’s mostly an occasion to exchange gifts and kiss under the mistletoe--”

“-- kiss under the what?” 

And Hook sees the bubble burst, just like that. A veil falls over her gaze and her smile dies away in a frown.

“Nothing. It’s stupid.” Even as she talks, her legs take a step backward, and Hook can only watch as this invisible tether between them seems to stretch and stretch. 

He wonders if she feels it too, this suffocating feeling as she pulls away. The answer is cruel: surely not, or she wouldn’t be pulling that way. 

“I see. Well, goodnight, Swan.” 

Although she’s just begun walking away, Hook knows Emma is long gone when she whispers back: “‘Night, Hook.”

.

Since Emma doesn’t seem willing to share anything with him these days, Hook settles his mind on learning more about this world’s tradition on his own -- which ends up being quite easy, as he fumbles through Storybrooke’s library. 

The Wicked Witch hasn’t shown up in two weeks now — since Neal died — which allows Hook to take some liberties with his time schedule. 

“Do you need any help?” 

Hook startles and turns around to face two, big blue eyes. 

“Belle,” he says, but it sounds a lot like a reproach. Belle’s clearly understood it because she is frowning now. 

“I saw you all alone with your books in the Christmas section and I figured you might need help to understand this world’s traditions,” she explains but any warmth has definitely escaped her tone. 

Guilt immediately circles Hook’s throat, and he is gentler when he says: “No, I’m fine lass but... thank you for offering.” 

Belle simply nods as a faint smile flickers across her face. And Hook thinks guilt is quite a vile thing because it pushes him to give up on the book in his hand Christmas Traditions to Brighten your Holidays-- silly, silly title -- and press his palm across the brunette’s shoulder. 

“Actually, you might be able to enlighten me on something…” 

A wink, and the right corner of Belle’s lip raises slightly.

“Sure, what do you want to know?” 

“Swan mentioned a kissing tradition that involved toes of some sort?” 

She’s frowning now, and it cannot possibly be good. 

“What?” Her hands meet her hips as she furrows her brows harder. “Oh you mean mistletoe!”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I said.” 

Hook watches as Belle’s grin becomes impish. “I’m not sure Emma would like me telling you this,” she begins, coy. 

“Which is exactly why I want you to tell me.” 

Belle shrugs, glances down for a bit. “Well, I guess there’s no harm…” 

.

“So you mean to tell me if this plant hangs over two people, they have to kiss?” 

Hook’s startled blue eyes are quite a comic sight, Belle must confess. Surprised glimmers glisten amidst tender blue; he looks younger. 

“Yes, that's what I mean.” 

But Belle knows Hook’s cheerful smile is merely a facade. A few minutes ago, he seemed so...lonely, when she entered the library, nose buried in his book, and Belle figures it isn’t quite fair that he ends up having to learn it all -- on his own.

No one deserves to be left alone. Especially not during the holidays. 

“And what does it look like?” 

Belle gives a little chuckle. “Why? You want to use it?” 

Hook’s answer comes out as a matter of fact. “Aye.” 

And he looks so boyish, with this Christmas book in his hand and this hope hovering his eyes that Belle cannot help but smile frankly. 

“I’m not sure Emma will fall for that.” 

“Never try never know, lass.” 

Belle sighs, scanning the shelves of books. Her eyes settle on one that she flips through rapidly. 

“There,” she points with her finger, “this plant with the green leaves and red berries? It’s mistletoe.” 

Hook peers above her shoulder. “Thank you, lady Belle.”

In a wink, the pirate has disappeared out of the library and Belle scoffs— amused, in spite of herself. He won’t be stopped, will he?  

.

Hook and Henry are playing dice at Granny’s when he figures he might as well just ask the boy for more information. 

“I’ve got a question, mate,” he begins, uncertain as to how to address the subject without sounding suspicious to those teenage ears. 

Thankfully, Henry’s little concerned about Hook as he shoves French fries into his mouth. 

“Yeah?” 

Hook tries not to look horrified as one French fry tries to escape and Henry tucks it in expertly with one greasy finger. 

“Where do you think I could find mistletoe in this town?” 

That does make Henry stop for one tiny second, eyes open wide and eyebrows raised. 

“Mistletoe? Why?” 

Hook clears his throat, looks down at his fingers stretched on the table and lies: “Mary Margaret sent me.” 

From the look on Henry’s face, he isn’t convinced. Smart boy. 

“I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve been living in this town very long. You should ask my mom about it.” 

Hook frowns. “Nah, let’s not bother her with this when she’s already busy with her...how does she say it…?” 

Henry’s eyebrows reach unprecedented height. “...Case?” 

“Aye. That.” Why would Swan bother with cases, that Hook doesn’t bloody know -- but it’s part of the things he doesn’t question. 

.

If there’s one thing Hook’s learnt over the years, it is that if one wants something badly enough, it always ends up in one’s lap. However, the tricky thing is it rarely lands softly or in an expected way. 

As Emma and he investigate the west side of the forest looking for the Wicked Witch, he quite literally stumbles onto mistletoe. 

As things turn out, it is quite a painful venture and it involves gazing for a bit too long at Emma who is a little far behind and not long enough at the vicious root right under his feet -- not that Hook truly thinks he is to blame -- and plummeting to the floor, head first, leading up to Emma falling on top of him in a colorful “HOOK”.  

Hook groans at the impact but he isn’t about to complain -- Emma falling on top of him might be the only way she’ll fall for him these days. 

Emma, on the other hand, isn’t so pleased. 

“What the hell? Can’t you look where you’re going?” she hisses as fiery green eyes pierce through his soul from under golden strands of hair. 

“I didn’t bloody mean to do that!”

Hook wishes he didn’t sound like a ten-year-old boy, but that’s what it’s come to these days with Emma. 

Emma grunts some more before rolling onto her side and kneeling to spring to her feet. 

“You’re impossible”, she mumbles, and it sounds a lot like she might just kill him as she taps snow off her knees. “Tripping in the snow as if the Wicked Witch couldn’t kill us both on sight…” 

Hook keeps his lips resolutely closed. When Swan starts rambling about him, he knows better than to interfere and possibly worsen the situation. 

She’s still dusting snow off her jeans when suddenly, she stops. And stares at him. 

Hook’s toes curl in his boots. “What?” 

Emma scowls and he thinks she’s hesitating. “You’ve got...” she starts and then seems to catch herself up and stops. 

Hook is about to ask what he’s got, but then Emma’s walking towards him, her hand raised up, and before he knows it her fingers have landed into his hair.

“Don’t move…” she whispers. Hook stands very still, feeling a blush creep up his skin, eyes lowering slowly not to stare. 

From his height, he is able to see the slight freckles dusted over her small nose, and her pink lips and, -- perhaps he ought to look at the ground. 

Emma’s face remains blank as she rummages through his hair, gentle fingers sieving through it, but a hint of red does stain her cheeks. When she retreats, the glimmer of a smile lingers on her lips. 

“You had mistletoe in your hair,” she finally explains, with that quiet, abashed tone that’s only too rare. 

Hook swallows down, heart drumming. “Thank you for the assistance, Swan.” 

But then she’s quick to avert her gaze and Hook knows the spell has been broken as the small sprig of mistletoe lands onto the snow-coated ground in a faint whisper, 

“Come on, let’s go. We’ve already wasted enough time.” 

Hook lets her stride forward, making sure she isn’t looking at him before stooping down and picking up the small plant to slide it into his coat. He promises himself to come back for more. We’re not about to waist treasures, now, are we...

. 

Hook is a subtle man, but he is aware that he cannot rightly expect Granny to be okay with him sticking mistletoe onto the window above Emma’s booth without asking first. 

So he does.  

“Why isn’t there mistletoe here? Isn’t it a Christmas tradition?” He begins, the picture of innocence, as he twirls a spoon into his cup of tea. 

Granny sees right through him. “Very cute of you to be concerned about our traditions, Hook,” she mumbles, piling up plates onto a drying rack.  

He nods, smiles even. “Fortunate are we that I’ve already stocked up on it.” 

Granny’s eyes pierce through his soul. “How fortunate indeed.” 

She lets him, of course. Not that Hook had any doubt. 

.

When Emma strolls down the B&B’s stairs to go claim her daily hot cocoa and bear claw, Henry still caught up in a teenage coma, she does think Hook looks especially weird -- staring at her with a glint in his eyes that she can only coin as mischief. 

“What are you up to?” she mumbles on sliding into her booth. 

Hook says nothing but leaves his spot next to Granny at the bar to come and sit down in front of her. Emma doesn’t have it in herself to complain -- it’s too early for that and it’s not like it would make him go away anyway. 

“Nothing, Swan. Beautiful day, isn’t it?” he asks, pointing towards the window pane. 

Emma tilts her face to gaze through the window. She distinguishes a sky heavy with grey clouds of snow and looks back at him with a puzzled frown in her eyes. He is being suspicious. She squints. 

“Is that grey sky the reason you’re so cheery?” she asks, and then dives into the hot cocoa Granny just dropped in front of her. 

At least, hot cocoa is still sweet and perfect and doesn’t disappoint her. 

“Can you blame me for being happy to see you?” 

Emma nearly chokes on her beverage but she catches herself soon enough. Instead, she furrows her brows and proceeds to ignore as well as she can the stubborn leap of her heart. 

“You’re never that happy to see me,” she retorts, smothering a smile, and then drinks up another mouthful of hot cocoa. 

Why is she encouraging him? 

“Allow me to disagree, Swan. Plus, look up: there is a wonderful opportunity to make me happier.” 

“Why would I want to make you hap-?” she begins, but then she discovers what he’s pointed at with his hook and the end of her sentence vanishes from her mind. 

It takes a lot of willpower not to burst into laughter or stab him in the face with her little spoon -- which one she hasn’t made up her mind on just yet -- and instead plaster the blankest expression she can conjure on her face....

...which is in that case a silly, silly smile. 

“You’re really desperate if you think mistletoe is what it’s going to take for me to kiss you,” she retorts, and she really hopes the heat she feels blooming on her face isn’t showing up. 

From the look on Hook’s face, however, it is definitely showing. Emma wants to rip that stupid, smug smirk off his face. 

“Can you blame me for trying?” 

This time she cannot hold back the chuckle that’s bubbling inside her throat as she shakes her head. Idiot. Her cheeks hurt. 

“No, of course not, if you don’t expect to succeed.” 

And he smiles that smile, that “that’s when the fun begins” smile and stands up. 

“We’ll see to that, Swan.” 

And when Granny asks her “So, mistletoe, uh?” Emma figures the grin spreading across her face isn’t her best poker face and she pretends to be exceptionally thirsty for hot cocoa -- mostly to distract Granny’s from the flush on her cheeks. 

.

Hook is meticulous in his endeavours, and has the sense of details, Emma will give him that. 

She slowly finds out that the whole town suddenly is brimming with mistletoe. Mistletoe in the B&B’s corridor, mistletoe in the laundromat room, mistletoe in the library, mistletoe everywhere. 

Mistletoe even in the leather satchel Hook carries around everywhere with him. “You never know when the occasion might be right, Swan. You have to be prepared.” 

Although she hates him for it, she does not hate him nearly as much as she hates herself for not hating it completely. 

After all, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

For instance, when Mary Margaret and David notice it above their head at Granny’s, they smile and meet halfway in a kiss. The other day, Granny’s lips also found Ruby’s forehead and left a sonorous smack there -- a rare display of affection between the two women -- and Ruby then proceeded to stain Emma’s left cheek with a lovely burgundy color. 

No one knows Hook is the one hanging them there -- except for Granny -- and Emma wishes she would find it more ridiculous. (Even a little bit, that’ll do to make her feel better about herself.) 

. 

They are only a few days from Christmas Eve when, after another endless afternoon spent patrolling, Mary Margaret starts musing over the Christmas spirit in the sheriff station. 

“I just love Christmas and I am so glad we are spending it together, this year -- Wicked Witch or not.” 

Mary Margaret’s right hand brushes over her round belly while the other rests above David’s shoulder. 

Emma sits in a corner; exhaustion is weighing down her limbs, coloring her world blue. The snow seems to have sunk into her skin, crystalizing over her muscles. 

She can hardly share their enthusiasm. With the Wicked Witch on the run, she’s had little time to think about the holidays -- if not for mistletoe because of a certain someone -- and what it means to spend Christmas with her parents and her son. Henry still hasn’t recovered his memories and all she can think about is avenging Neal’s death and the life she gave up on, back in New York.

“Should we invite Regina?” Emma asks in a breath. This all starting to sound a lot like a complicated masquerade. 

She stares at the bright, yellow neon lights above her head. She’s stared at them so many, lonely times, but now their sight is almost comforting... and then, slowly, slowly, flutters her eyes shut… 

It would all be so simple, if they went back to New York. No more villains, no more happy endings to bring, no more sacrifices to make -- just Emma, a mother, and her son in a normal, quiet life. It was enough. She would be enough.

Silence. Emma cannot see her parents’ faces but she thinks she guesses quite well their expression anyway. 

And then her mother’s voice, a bit blurry, as if erupting from another reality: “I mean, yes, we probably should or she’ll be alone for Christmas Eve. We’ll just have to tell Henry this family is really close to the mayor.” 

“I still don’t know why you guys celebrate Christmas. It’s not even from your world,” Emma mumbles and yawns. 

She is tired, so very tired. And celebrating Christmas always did feel like staring at an open wound that will not heal. 

“Then we should also invite Belle…”

Emma hears her mother sigh. “In that case, maybe we should just all gather at Granny’s.” 

Emma opens her eyes. The bright neon lights above her head are no longer soothing; they glare and burn. There will be no happy ending for the Savior. 

“That makes sense,” she whispers and stands up before she can sink into another lethargy 

Emma rubs her eyes and stretches her sore muscles. 

“I gotta pick up Henry. Hook and he went sailing this afternoon,” she says as she slips one arm back into her jacket and another yawn quivers out of her.  

“You should tell Hook, Emma,” adds her mother while Emma sieves impatient fingers through her hair. 

Emma stops in her steps, arches one eyebrow. There is still so much exhaustion clinging to her bones and clouding her mind. “Why should I be the one telling him?” 

Emma’s mother isn’t impressed by her petulant tone. “Because you’ll see him tonight, Emma.” 

Emma winces. “Right.”

Christmas always sucked for Emma. She doesn’t know why this year should be any different.

. 

Emma nearly hates Hook on sight when she sees him reach the B&B alongside Henry, his arm swang around his shoulder and this stupid gust of wind playing with his thick, black hair. She rubs her hands together to warm them up. At least the cold breeze is enough to sharpen her senses and wake her up. 

It does warm her heart, to see Henry and he get along just fine, not that she’d admit it under torture or something. 

Henry greets her with a hug and Hook with a tilt of his face and an intolerable smile. As they enter the B&B together in silence, warmth curls around their bodies, hugging them tightly, and Emma unzips her jacket on the way up the stairs. 

“Go take a shower, Henry. I’ll be here in a sec,” she tells her son, palms on his shoulders to guide him inside their room. 

From the corner of her eyes, she sees Hook peer at her but she ignores him. “‘kay, Mom.” 

The door bangs close behind her back and Emma shifts to face Hook staring at her with his insufferable blue eyes and a quiet smile and that silly, silly mistletoe hanging between them -- teasing her, it seems. 

Smells of food and the faint rustle of conversations surround them as they stand in the corridor -- as if isolated in a liminal space. 

Emma blinks, breathes in, inhaling some courage, and exhales: “We’re going to celebrate Christmas all together at Granny’s.”

She can tell he isn’t following because he looks taken aback for a moment and she hates seeing him like this -- when the mask cracks and light spills in and illuminates this earnest look on his face. It’s really hard then to convince herself that she does not care -- not at all, not one bit. 

“Are you inviting me, Swan?” he asks, and Emma knows he means to sound impish but something else is rearing its head behind the sly smile and Emma feels a weird pang, down in her stomach. 

“I’m not inviting you,” she retorts but she doesn’t have it in herself to keep her armor on tonight and she feels herself smile a sluggish smile. “Everyone is invited.” 

He’s tilting his head then, in that manner that has a terrible effect on Emma’s heartbeat, and slowly bends down towards her -- his fragrance filling her lungs. 

Emma thinks then that her eyelids are definitely far too heavy, that she should sleep, and she watches herself lean into him. 

“So,” she begins again, voice hoarse and it isn’t quite because of the cold, “are you coming or not?” 

But then, somehow, something seems to shatter between them and Hook takes a step back. Emma’s stomach gives another lurch and she has to fight the instinctive spring of her hand towards his arm. 

“I’m sorry, Swan, but I don’t think I’ll be able to attend.” 

“Why?” The word comes out of her mouth before she can think about it. 

From the colored windows, Emma can make out the sun setting behind Hook’s back -- purple and pink clouds softly floating away -- and that sadness everywhere -- on his face, in her open palms with nothing to hold, in that distance between them. 

Emma clenches her jaw as she watches him, as she watches him pulling away from her. 

“I don’t think it is my place to be,” he simply answers.

Emma’s stomach twists. 

This same urge to touch him burns her fingertips, owls that she should take a step forward. She doesn’t understand, doesn’t understand why he won’t, why she feels that -- 

Instead she remains very firm on her legs and smiles a faint smile and says: “I understand. Just know that if you want to drop by, you’re welcome to.” 

A grin flickers across his face, but the glimmer dies before it reaches its eyes. “I appreciate that, Swan.” 

And then she says: “Goodnight, Hook.” 

And feels something bitter tug, tug, inside of her when he bows his head and disappears without a word. 

. 

As Emma expected, this Christmas Eve dinner in Storybrooke is...something. 

Granny’s diner is bursting with people and clatters of heels and a silly, silly jingle bell rattles the walls. For the occasion, everyone brought a dish of their own while Granny arranged the bar to turn it into some kind of buffet where the guests get to pick and choose what they want to eat. 

Emma stands on the side, an empty glass of champagne clasped between her fingers, as she watches her son queue near the buffet. 

Emma isn’t hungry. In fact, it feels like her stomach is full to the brim with heavy bricks and she cannot swallow anything else down. 

As her gaze wanders and lingers on the Christmas tree, near the stairs, Emma isn’t so sure she wants to be here at all. 

She wants to blame the Wicked Witch for her lack of enthusiasm, but the truth is this scene of profusion and happiness is quite painful to watch. 

There are so many people, and so much noise, and Emma feels like the light garlands are mere colorful spots dancing before her eyes, twirling and twirling, and they will not stop and she wishes they would. 

Hook isn’t there. In fact, since their last conversation in the corridor, he has seemed quite inclined on avoiding her -- which is fair, considering it’s exactly what she’s been doing since she got back from New York. 

Emma sighs, lowering her gaze to watch the Champagne bubbles fizzing inside her glass. Perhaps if he were here, it would be a bit more bearable. Emma frowns, fingers clutching around her glass. Nonsense. 

A warm hand closes over Emma’s shoulder. 

Emma startles, but when she looks up, she only meets Mary Margaret’s gentle green eyes.

“Emma, your plate is still empty. Are you sure you don’t want anything?” 

Emma brushes off the attention. “I’m okay for now, thank you. I’ll go get something later.” 

Dammit. She doesn’t mean to sound this cold, doesn’t mean to push her away like this, but thankfully for her Mary Margaret knows best. 

The next thing she knows her mother is sitting down on a chair next to her. 

“Is everything alright, Emma?” 

Emma hates the concern she hears in her voice, or rather she hates that it is somehow enough to tighten her throat and burn her eyes, and that there is a part of her that is desperate to feed on it. Maybe, just maybe, her mother can help her lift the bricks down in her stomach.

“I’m okay, I’m just --” 

But then Emma glances down again, and she stares at mother’s hand, brushing over this round, loved belly and Emma’s breath catches in her throat. 

Run. 

“Emma, you are…?” 

Something clatters down to the floor, and suddenly everything is too much. Emma’s eyes widen and before she knows it she’s moved up from her chair, heart pounding. 

“I need to get some air,” she says very quickly, putting her coat on with trembling fingers. 

The siren keeps blaring in her mind. Run. Run. Run. 

“Please, will you make sure Henry eats something? I won’t be long.” 

Emma does not wait for her mother’s answer to flee from the dinner, bursting through the front door. 

The icy winter air leaps onto her skin just like she expected it to and Emma sighs in relief, closing her eyes. Her legs are still trembling beneath her weight, and her blood is still pulsating at her temples, but at least she is outside now. Her lungs quickly fill in with December smells — burnt wood, misty dead leaves and something almost magical that crackles as she breathes. 

Outside, beyond the quiet chirping of insects, there is no noise. And it is incredibly peaceful. 

Emma breathes in, and out, envisioning her anxiety slowly flowing out of her body like trails of electricity. 

“Swan, are you alright?” 

Her eyes shoot open as her heart skips a beat. There he is. Hook is sitting alone, his flask of rum in hand and his legs crossed under the table. 

“What are you doing here?” she asks, voice still stammering. 

Shit. She didn’t mean it to sound like that. Too late, Hook’s smile has already faded into a mirthless expression. Emma curses herself inward. 

“It is always a pleasure to see you too, Swan.” 

Oh she hates the tone of his voice, this distant, cold tone that sounds so sad, so sad. She cannot bear it. 

“I’m sorry,” she exhales rapidly and she sees his eyebrow raise up under the surprise as she heaves short breathes. “I didn’t mean it like that.” A pause to stretch her hands, to feel the cold seize them gently. And then she tries again: “What I meant is.... why are you not inside?” 

He’s quick to strike back but his tone is tender: “Why aren’t you?” 

Although her heart still beats uncomfortably fast, he makes her smile. 

“Don’t change the subject.” 

She wonders if he can tell, if he can tell that she is still shaking, if he can tell that it is helping to simply be there and talk about something else. 

Unfortunately for her, her legs are still frozen and she stands on the stairs leading up to Granny’s as he ponders his words. 

Of course he can tell. Open book. 

“I’m not sure people really want me there,” he says. 

Emma’s stomach lurches forward just as her legs begin moving against her will. “That’s not true,” she begins, still walking towards him. 

She does not understand the wave of relief that washes over her as she strides his way, and suddenly the Champagnes bubbles are fizzing gently inside her empty belly. 

“Is that so?” He asks, his tone polite and distant. 

“Yes,” she asserts. She fists her cold palms. “People want you around. Look at Henry, he really likes you. And I --” she begins and then stops in her tracks. 

She’s standing before him now, and he’s staring at her with his bold blue eyes, his expression blank. 

He isn’t making this easier for her, but when did she make things easy for him? 

“And you…?” He’s challenging her, taunting her to jump the one step she will not take with him. 

She breathes in the cold air. 

“And I could use you around, in case something bad happens--” 

His mask finally drops, his eyebrow raising. “-- in case something bad happens?” he repeats, frankly grinning now. 

Emma’s lips quiver with a smile. “In case something bad happens,” she confirms, nodding. 

All anxiety has now departed from her body and Emma feels light for the first time in...in a very long time.   

And then Hook’s standing up in front of her, and Emma’s surprised to see how close they’ve gotten. 

There is this terrible moment during which they both stare at each other, and Emma glances down at his lips and fancies herself leaning in and -- 

“It’s a shame you’re not carrying that stupid leather satchel, tonight,” she says. 

She does not leave him time to ponder over her words before she crosses Granny’s door again. 

As things turn out, Hook fills the chair next to hers quite nicely. And by his side, the dinner isn’t that noisy and overwhelming anymore -- not that Emma would tell him. 

“Killian showed up! That’s great!” Henry looks up from his game when the pirate has gone to get one more serving of turkey. 

Emma smiles down at him. “Yeah. I’m glad, too.” Hook definitely seems at ease, twirling among the rest of the guests, one eyebrow raised as he examines the food on display. 

Clearly, he was wrong. He fits in just fine. And Emma starts thinking perhaps she was wrong, too. 

“It’s good for him, you know,” her son continues and Emma blinks to see Henry, head down, focused on his game as he speaks, “I don’t think he has that many friends here, but he definitely likes you.” 

Emma is glad Henry isn’t looking at her then, because it saves her the embarrassment of having to justify the blush on her cheeks. 

When Henry’s climbed back up to the B&B to get some sleep, and everyone’s helped to clean the dinner, and Hook proposes one last drink outside, Emma may or may not ask him to go ahead in order to retrieve a bush of mistletoe from the window above her booth. 

She may or may not slide it into her pocket and join the pirate outside. 

She lets him tell his ravishing tales of pirating and freedom, as they exchange his flask of rum. The starry sky is their only quiet companion as they sit outside until eventually the tingle of her lips cannot be ignored anymore, and Emma gets the small sprig out of her coat. 

The bewildered look on Hook’s face is a sight for the ages. 

“Pirate,” he says then, and he probably means to say more, but Emma is holding the mistletoe above their heads resolutely. 

“Tradition is tradition” she says, even as her free hand already closes over the lapel of his coat. 

“As you wish…”

Later, much later, Emma will blame the mix of rum and champagne for the way their lips met in an icy, starry kiss and Emma lingered above his lips, just a little bit, unable to get enough of him, until they were both panting outside of Granny’s -- forehead against forehead, twirls of white smoke escaping their mouths. 

And Hook will definitely tease her about her definition of “one time things” but surely that matters little when she can just grab the lapel of his coat to make him shut up once and for all.