  Romance/Love
This week: Silver Bells and Other Holiday Clichés Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf (written) Romance Newsletter
Looking at romance and more through my eyes as I share my thoughts on aspects of the genre. This week's focus is on the holiday cliché.
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The holidays are a fun time for the romance genre as one can only imagine. There are many opportunities for stories, perfect moments to create and of course the well known drama that the season can bring. But is that story about a holiday romance unique and fresh, or is it a cliché? That is a good question.
Cliché is a common situation in romance in part because of how some view the genre as rather formulaic. And certain topics, like the holidays bring certain types of stories. As much as we'd like to think our holiday idea is new... the chances of that being real are slim. Romance with santa? Been done 50 different ways to Tuesday (or however that saying goes). Reindeer romance? I've read that too. Mistletoe and christmas trees with lights that cause a twinkle in someone's eyes? Check, check and umm double check.
So, cliché is a common sight in a romance story. Is that a bad thing? Maybe, maybe not. It depends. First, let's look at some possible aspects of a romance story that might fall under the category of cliché. Then we can imagine some ways to not only use them but also find a way to make the story have its own take, to make it stand on its own even with the dreaded cliché.
 Cliché Characters
Some characters are a little expected around the holidays. More likely to have Santa or elves in a romance story around the holidays compared to say, July. But they aren't the only ones. There is the Scrooge character, for example, who is often used in part for the conflict because that character is all humbug about the holiday, ruining other people's good time and not seeing the things they might be missing because of their sour disposition. Or the selfless volunteer, who is always giving, especially around the holidays, donating, spending time at soup kitchens and worrying more about others than their own needs.
 Cliché Items
This is like, the Christmas tree or the mistletoe. It's an object, basically, that is expected to come up in a holiday romance story. Presents in many different shapes and forms are often used in a holiday story because the act of giving is a handy one along with the objects given or received. Much can be done pending the type of gift that is used within a story.
 Cliché Situations
This would be like, kissing under the mistletoe because it's a situation where if two people happen to meet under a strange plant pinned on a ceiling beam somewhere, then they have to kiss. There is also the kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve. Kissing situations are common on the holidays but there are also ones like, meeting the chaotic family during holiday get togethers of a spouse or loved one. Family drama can make for an interesting story wrought with conflict, but it can also be over done.
But don't worry. While it is often recommended to be cautious about using a cliché when writing a story, there are many great uses available. Just because someone has used that type of character, that object or even the similar situation in the past, doesn't mean more can't in the future. All you have to do is find a way to make it your own. Character is a great way, even with the cliche character because there are so many ways to make a character different. And how that character reacts to the situation or to the object, that is what sets it apart. Combine that with adding other elements that may not be as typical for a holiday romance, and you'll have a winning mix.
I did a mistletoe around Christmas story a few years ago. The two characters kissed under the plant, that was cliché. However, the story worked pretty well, because of all the other factors involved. The two characters had conflict, they were a bit different than the expected. One isn't a scrooge but didn't celebrate Christmas due to the trauma and hard times it created, while the other unknowingly put up the decorations. It's all in how you write the story.
So, go ahead, take a cliche holiday romance but find a way to make it your own. Then share with the rest of us cause we can't wait to read more holiday romance stories because after Christmas we get the other big romantic holiday: Valentine's Day. 
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Two great contests to write stories for this holiday season. One ends at the end of December while the other goes into January. Check them both out.
Here are a few stories and poems I found that relate to the holidays and romance. Oddly, despite the cliche nature of some topics it's hard to just find recent items based on the search of said expected topics. Interesting. But I found some good ones to look at, each with its own flair, so take a peek at a few items written by members around the site.
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And just because I had to find a picture of mistletoe for this, here is a link to one and the cnote shop it belongs to as there are many ways to spread holiday cheer.
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What is your favorite holiday cliché to use in romance?
And as a challenge, pick a holiday cliché and find a way to write in less than 1000 words a story that uses it but also brings in unique elements (or even takes clichés from other genres and seasons, mashing them all together in one crazy story). If you do, let me know. 
Cliche List:
Mistletoe
Santa, Mrs. Clause, or the Elves
New Year's Eve
Christmas Tree
The Perfect Gift
Someone like Scrooge
Decorations for the Holidays
*insert other holiday cliché*
Have fun!
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Romance/Love: December 18, 2013 Issue [#6051]
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