One good way to get into a “writing groove” for the new year is to think back to the holiday season you’ve just experienced: the good and the bad, the funny and the disturbing, the family customs and rituals. It’s time to take stock and to look ahead.

What holiday thoughts or memories would you like to pass along to your family? What cautions or warnings or good advice?

Here are ten questions or writing prompts to get you started:

1. Family lore: Did you observe or hear any family stories worth recording? Did you gain any new insights into relatives young or old, present or departed?

2. Holiday food and drink: Are there certain favorites you or someone else in your family always prepares, serves, or orders? Fruitcake or oyster stew or some special dish from “the old country”? Eggnog? Champagne? An ancestor’s favorite holiday recipe, or yours? Does your family have a favorite traditional holiday dinner or brunch or midnight supper?

3. Holiday rituals and activities: Does your family (or retirement community) play certain games, sing certain songs, watch favorite movies, decorate together, observe religious customs, tour Christmas light displays, toast the New Year?

4. What do you like best about the holiday season, and/or what do you like least?

5. Any memories of a favorite Christmas or a favorite Christmas gift (childhood or more recent)?

6. Have you experienced any unusual holiday celebrations: overseas in the military, living in another country, etc.?

7. Did you participate or have you participated in rewarding holiday charitable activities, volunteering, contributing, entertaining, helping?

8. Did you travel during the holidays? Was it a difficult trip or a pleasure?

9. What, if anything, would you like to do differently for next year’s holidays?

10. What are your New Year’s resolutions? Do you remember any earlier resolutions you’ve been able to keep—or not?

Look back. Look ahead. Write. Share those valuable stories.

For a writing challenge, try an unusual verse form. For an explanation of the rictameter, see “”Northern Winter: A Poem” here in Seniorwriter’s Journal or my blog, “Write Your Life!” at http://www.seniormemoirs.blogspot.com