How to celebrate Winter-een-mas

[Tim]

I want to celebrate Winter-een-mas! How do I do it?

Well, Winter-een-mas is fairly new, so there aren't a lot of traditions yet. Those will come with time. Here are some practices that I suggest:

Wish people a Happy Winter-een-mas! Some people might not know what you're talking about, so be prepared to offer a brief explanation of the holiday. Say it when you enter/exit a chat room or game server, say it to friends and family. Even say it to strangers. Spread the word!

Show your Winter-een-mas festivity. During the holiday, wear game-related stuff. Wear gaming t-shirts. Draw gaming logo temporary tattoos in visible places like your arms (not with permanent marker!). Find interesting ways to wear gaming accessories as fashion accessories. Even dress up as your favorite game character or console, if you're so inclined.

Gift giving is not encouraged for Winter-een-mas. It could too easily detract and destroy the spirit of the holiday. If you want to exhange gifts, make them very inexpensive (under $10), or even better, handmade. A handmade card, picture, gaming console stand, etc will mean a lot more to the person receiving the gift. Winter-een-mas gift cards are available on this site and are free for you to print out and give away. And most importantly, keep it game related!

This is a big one: Write letters of praise and thanks to the developers of some of the video games that you most enjoy. These people are directly responsible for providing us with such entertaining material, and they deserve to know that they are appreciated. If you go to the Links section of this website, you will find a list of email addresses for some of the more popular game developers. Write them a letter wishing them a Happy Winter-een-mas, and letting them know how thankful you are for the work they do.

Play video games! This one should be obvious. During the Winter-een-mas holiday, make it a point to schedule some gaming time into your day, even if it's only for a little while. Play video games on each of the seven days if you can. Treat yourself to a new game in the name of Winter-een-mas, if you can afford it.

Organize Winter-een-mas LAN parties. Have some friends over for some multiplayer. Go to the arcade with some friends. Play an online game with other people. Start a server in the name of Winter-een-mas.

Be nice to your fellow gamers! I know that we're all competitive by nature, but at least for the Winter-een-mas season, try to go out of your way to be pleasant to your gaming bretheren. This doesn't mean you can't lay the smack down on some people in Call of Duty, but just keep in mind the fun spirit behind the season. Try not to let people irritate you as much. Enjoy yourself! Make sure you tell people how much you enjoyed playing a game with them. if you play a MMORPG, take some time to help out lower level players in the name of Winter-een-mas. Spread the holiday cheer to your guildmates. Organize a random in-game gift exhange.

Some people are holding "Gaming Trivia of the Day" type events between their groups of friends. Scour the internet for gaming facts, and hold a contest for prices, first-player controller rights and more!

A lot of people have told me that they plan to dust off their old games, and pay tribute to the classics during Winter-een-mas. Pull out your old games and systems and give them a replay!

There are many ways to celebrate Winter-een-mas. As long as you keep in mind the spirit of the holiday, feel free to come up with your own Winter-een-mas traditions. Then email me to tell me how you'll be celebrating Winter-een-mas, or send pictures. I'll share them with everyone. This is how we develop holiday traditions.

If you have a tradition you'd like to share, post it in this thread!