Seasons Greetings
An engagement set in Burlington, Vermont on Christmas Eve 2021.
Ivy Lynn Harrison-Ford is a 26-year-old interior architect. She met her boyfriend when she was asked to consult on a project he was working on. They moved in together barely a year later. Together for about four years, they have started planning their wedding. But there are some items she insists she won’t do until she has a ring on her finger.
Jonathon Michael Quinn (Jon) is a 34-year-old construction manager. Born in Los Angeles, he longed to leave the city for a simpler life. A job offer brought him to Burlington after college. Eight years later, a complicated project brought his girlfriend into his life. He has been ready to ask her an important question for a while and recently picked out a ring based on ideas she gave him.
Music helps set the mood while I write. That is why the inspiration playlists play such a vital role in my writing process. These are the songs that inspired the Christmas Eve short story Seasons Greetings:
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - by 'N Sync
When I saw I had two different versions of this song, I knew I wanted to bookend the playlist with them.
Holidays - by Meghan Trainor feat. Earth, Wind & Fire
This song is pure fun. And it’s a Christmas song.
Snow - by Leslie Odom, Jr.
This is another fun Christmas song.
Put A Little Holiday In Your Heart - by LeAnn Rimes
This is Ivy’s theme song.
I'll Be Home - by Meghan Trainor
This is a beautiful song about promising to be home for Christmas. It was perfect for this playlist.
Little Colored Lights - by Susan Egan
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is driving around seeing how people have decorated their front yards. And it’s something that Ivy enjoys doing too.
Season Of Love - by Jaci Velasquez
It doesn’t matter what holiday you celebrate in December, it is still the season of love. I picked this song with that in mind.
We Are Lights/Shalom Alaychem - by Susan Egan
This is a Hanukkah song. I wanted to include a song to represent one of the other holidays people celebrate in December.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - by Carrie Underwood
I’ve lost count of the number of versions I have of this song, which was originally written for the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. I chose this beautiful version by Carrie Underwood for this playlist.
Seasons Of Love - by Pentatonix
Broadway lovers know this song was written for Rent. The song is beautiful, perfect, and not really a Christmas song. But Pentatonix put it on one of their Christmas albums. So I used it.
Heaven & Earth - by Leslie Odom, Jr.
This song is beautiful. And it is Jon’s theme song.
My Only Wish - by Meghan Trainor
I picked Meghan’s version over Britney Spears’ original one only because I wanted a song that was on a recent holiday album
Underneath The Tree - by Kelly Clarkson
I’ve heard this song referred to as a sequel to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You. I happen to agree. I love this song and had to include it for a couple who gets engaged around the holidays.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - by Pentatonix
As I said, I wanted to bookend the playlist with the two versions of this song that I had. I would end every playlist with the a cappella harmonies of Pentatonix, if it made sense to.