Why is it that Silbrith and I are so drawn to holiday stories for this AU? After all, the series White Collar wasn't known for holiday episodes. The closest I can recall are the reference to Peter & Elizabeth's wedding anniversary in the pilot episode, and a later episode when El's parents visited on her birthday.
There are some plot bunnies that hop up to us with ideas full of action and adventure, or with tantalizing cases and cons. However, a few plot bunnies call on the characters to move out of their routine of solving cases and to reflect on what they've done and where they're going. For me, those are the bunnies that fit best with the holidays.
Often holidays are times when emotions run high. I've certainly experienced happy holidays and sad ones, holidays with lots of people and holidays alone, holidays at home or at the homes of others or at hotels in various locations. All of those variations inspire ideas for stories.
I love the mix of fluff and angst, and holidays are ideal for that combination. In addition, holidays are an ideal setting for bringing in characters who wouldn't normally be part of a case-based story, such as Neal's grandparents. Of course, there's also the fact that I tend to get more time off work to write around the holidays, so writing often corresponds with the mood of those periods.
Here are some of the holidays and celebrations we've featured in the series so far, and the stories in which they're included.
January
New Year's: By the Book (the party spans several chapters), Caffrey Aloha (New Year's Eve is chapter 2, New Year's Day is chapter 3)
Noelle and Joe's Wedding: Caffrey Aloha
Peter's Birthday: Caffrey Vignettes: Treasure Hunt, Caffrey Vignettes: Wish on a Star
February
Valentine's Day: The Mirror, Standing Stones, Progress of Love
Mardi Gras: Voodoo Remoulade
Tac-Con sci-fi convention: The Mirror
March
St. Patrick's Day: Caffrey Envoy, Caffrey Vignettes: Spring Break
Neal's birthday: Caffrey Flashback, Caffrey Vignettes: Casual Day
April
April Fools: Caffrey Vignettes: April Fool
Peeper Jamboree (frog festival): Whispers in the Night
May
May the Fourth: Penny Exchange
Mother's Day: Caffrey Vignettes: Homecoming
Memorial Day: Echoes of a Violin
June
Father's Day: Caffrey Disclosure, Fireflies at Midnight
Summer Solstice (Litha): Fireflies at Midnight
July
Independence Day: Caffrey Disclosure, Nocturne in Black and Gold
Comic-Con: Nocturne in Black and Gold
August
Henry's birthday/Caffrey family reunion and Renaissance festival: Caffrey Disclosure
September
Labor Day: Harlequin's Shadow
Fall Equinox (Mabon): Night Howls on the Hudson
New York Renaissance Festival: Night Howls on the Hudson
October
Sara's Birthday: The Musicians
N-Con gaming convention: The Woman in Blue
Columbia University Family Day: The Woman in Blue
Halloween: Caffrey Conversation Halloween Trivia Challenge, The Woman in Blue, The Crypt, Columbia Ghost Story, Bewitched. Witches and vampires haunt the Crossed Lines series. The stories of Arkham Files also have spooky themes.
November
Thanksgiving: The Queen's Jewels, Lion's Lair, Set in Amber
December
Christmas: Early Christmas Concert: Choirboy Caffrey
Early Christmas in New York: An Evening with Genji
Christmas: In the Driver's Seat, Caffrey Vignettes: Grandmother's House, Caffrey Aloha, A Caffrey Christmas Carol, Time Crystals, Movie Night
Christmas and New Year's Eve: Italian Masquerade, Sands of Abydos
I hope we've covered some the the holidays you celebrate, and have added to your happy memories!
Penna and I intend to update the list with future celebrations that occur. We hope that when you're in the mood, you'll join the Caffrey Conversation crew for some fluffy good times!
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