A BIG APPLE CHRISTMAS

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - Growing up in New York City, as a small Puerto Rican girl, I loved the fact that Christmas didn't end for me on Christmas day. We still had El Dia de los Reyes (Epiphany or Three Kings Day) to look forward to. We received gifts on that day as well. The night before January 6th, tradition dictates that water and grass be left out for the wise men and their camels. In return the wise men left us a small gift. I always felt special knowing that while my classmates enjoyed their Christmas gifts I still had more gifts coming after the new year. So naturally I wanted to write about our celebration of El Dia de los Reyes..

Gail Sattler - The hustle and bustle of New York City at Christmas time is special and unique, and fun! And most of all, crowded. Then I thought of what it would be like to be surrounded by such a crowd, with nothing but a list of fun places to go and fun things to do, and Shopping For Love was born.

Lynette Sowell - I think New York is a special place at Christmas time, and I'd always wanted to write a Christmas novella. Then one November, I saw a news clip of how the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center gets selected. Enter my widowed heroine and her scheming children who surprise her with a trip to see her tree in Rockefeller Center..

Carrie Turansky - I love stories that bring characters together who are very different from each other, so the idea of matching a professional organizer and a free-spirited poet intrigued me. NYC is a wonderful place to visit at Christmas time, and I thought setting our story there would be enjoyable for our readers. .

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - I have several favorite scenes. I love all the scenes where Cecilia's family is creating havoc for her. They were so much fun to write with the loudness, chaos and love present and typical of Latino families. But if I had to choose one scene it would be when Elias professes his love for Cecilia..

Gail Sattler - On the subway. I love to feel the motion and watch out the window as everything is zipping by, and of course, Emily had her camera with her.

Lynette Sowell -I loved writing Theo's point of view when he and Gwynn go shopping in Chinatown. He's incredibly aware of how he feels about her now, and he's not quite sure what to do about it just yet. .

Carrie Turansky - Sarah joins Justin's family to celebrate Thanksgiving and she discovers many new qualities about him. The interaction between Justin and Sarah as they wash dishes after dinner was fun to write and very romantic..

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - In my novella I included sights and sounds that were more reflected of uptown Manhattan, such as The Cloisters, which is a museum in Fort Tryon Park, The Three King's Day Parade sponsored by El Museo del Barrio, ice skating in Central Park, a concert at Riverside Church, and of course the tree at Rockefeller Center..

Gail Sattler - The lights and ambiance of the shopping, during the daytime and after dark. Getting caught in the excitement of the Christmas shopping, even though both Emily and Bryan hate shopping at home.

Lynette Sowell -Gwynn and Theo attend the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center, and they also go to the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall.

Carrie Turansky - Sarah and Justin Visit the Fetes de Noel in Bryant Park which is a wonderful outdoor market with great Christmas shopping. They watch the ice skaters and enjoy live Christmas music. Sarah takes a taxi ride through the city looking at the holiday lights and store decorations. .

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - In my home we celebrate El Dia de los Reyes on January 6th. We put out the water and whatever grass we can find in the winter and in the morning there is a gift waiting. Often we go to parties on that day and eat, sing and enjoy family and friends..

Gail Sattler - I crocheted a nativity scene to keep the true Christmas story alive in my home. Instead of decorating the mantle, we place all the people all over the house. The shepherds and sheep are on the hearth, the wise men and camel are in the eastern most part of my house, the dining room. Mary and Joseph and the donkey cross the living room carpet, we move them a bit each day. The innkeeper waits alone in the inn/stable near the Christmas tree. When the kids were little they used to play with everything, then at night, everyone goes back to their special place in the house. Christmas morning Mary and Joseph arrive at the inn, the angel comes out, Jesus is born, we say a prayer, and only then do we start opening gifts.

Lynette Sowell - A few days before Christmas Eve, we start baking goodies and appetizers. Then on Christmas Eve we invite anyone who wants to come by the house after the Christmas Eve candlelight service. We enjoy time friends and family, everyone eats all the food (so we're not stuck with tons of fudge), and then we collapse in happy heaps when everyone leaves. Then we each open one present. The "main" Christmas gifts don't get put under the tree until the kids are in bed.

Carrie Turansky - We have collected Christmas ornaments from many different places over the years. Our family enjoys unwrapping them each year and decorating our Christmas tree. We talk about the places we have traveled and enjoy sharing these special memories together. Serving popcorn and hot cocoa are part of the tradition too.

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - Like my heroine, Cecilia, I was a graduate student at Columbia University.

Gail Sattler - The gadgets. I love them. I also never go anywhere without my camera. I am dangerous with a camera. And I would die without my Palm Pilot.

Lynette Sowell - We're both artistic. Like Gwynn, I haven't painted since college. And like Gwynn, I'm thinking of picking it up again. Gwynn doesn't want to be a stereotypical grandma. She does things like getting her hair colored and wearing impractical (but fashionable) winter coats. I'm not a grandma yet, but when I am, I definitely don't want to be typical either!.

Carrie Turansky - Sarah likes to feel she is in control of her life and one way she believes she can do this is by keeping everything and everyone organized. I can be like this at times and have to remind myself that people and relationships are much more important than things and schedules. God is ultimately the One in control, and I can relax and rest in that wonderful fact.

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - What I like most about my hero, Elias, is his ability to minister in worship and song..

Gail Sattler - Bryan is a good sport. When things don't go the way he has planned, he is still able to look at the big picture and do what he thinks is right and make the best of it.

Lynette Sowell - I love that Theo is a man of order and clings to his traditions. His faith has brought him through hard times, and his reluctance to change endeared him to me.

Carrie Turansky - Justin Latimier is a fun and creative guy with an easy going personality. Though he is a well-known children's poet, he didn't want to use his notoriety or bank account to win Sarah's heart, instead he hoped she would appreciate him for his finer qualities. .

Vasthi Reyes Acosta - It wouldn't be Christmas without attending one of the dozen concerts held in churches through Manhattan. For free you can hear boys choirs, full choirs, hand bells, string quartets, and much more during the Christmas season. There is nothing better than sitting in a majestic cathedral and soaking in the music that celebrates the message of the season: A Savior is born..

Gail Sattler - Ice skating. In the hustle and bustle of the city, there's something unique and special about skating the old fashioned way, on an outdoor pond, just like Bryan and Emily did.

Lynette Sowell - Definitely start at Rockefeller Center and see the tree. At night, it's breathtaking. There's something special in the air when you watch the ice skaters, and it's chilly outside, and you see the horsedrawn carriages in Central Park. Just go and soak up the atmosphere! .

Carrie Turansky - Holiday Garden Railways. Two of the most magnificent holiday events at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx—the annual Holiday Garden and Train Show and Holiday Reflections festival of lights, both at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory—raise the curtain in November on six weeks of activities for children and adults. At the New York Botanical Garden. Call (718) 817-8700 for more information..

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