Confession: I wanted to name it House of Merriment, but that sounded too much like a brothel.

Directory of Illustration’s word for this week was merriment. Not necessarily a word that’s part of my everyday or holiday vocab, I needed examples, a definition and synonyms. All I could think of was cocktails, dancing, and partying. There had to be more to merriment than alcohol.

So, I researched the word. Google’s first results were high spirits, gaiety, fun, eyes twinkling with merriment. Further on the down the definition list: merrymaking (really!), hilarity and revelry. Again, all I could see were visuals of cocktails, dancing, and partying. These words were not inspiring, I kept reading.

Festivity, cheer, and joy – now those sounds Christmas-y. (Although next year, cocktails with candy canes under a string of colorful lights on a bar garlanded with holly sounds like a fun illo!)

When I went to bed that night, those words kept dancing in my head. Then, my inner voice whispered Christmas House. Create one like your Corinthians House. Yes!

I had so much fun illustrating Corthinans House. I haven’t vectored it or ever put it out to sell. It’s just lived a simple life in my large portfolio.

The next morning and for the next couple of days, I sprang out of bed to work on Christmas House. When finished, I swear my eyes twinkled with merriment. I was definitely in high spirits.

Now, it’s time for merrymaking, revelry, and a cocktail.