Home for the Holidays

I understand that many members of the crew are in the habit of exchanging greeting cards during the period of time that corresponds to the "winter" season on Earth's northern hemisphere, calculating from the date and time that our mission began. I hope this epistle proves sufficient to participate in this custom.

Kirk and Spock exchange holiday cards over the course of their five-year mission.

[This is a backup of a work of mine that was written for the 2025 K/S Advent event, just in case anything ever goes wrong with the version that's available on Ao3]!

Captain,

I understand that many members of the crew are in the habit of exchanging greeting cards during the period of time that corresponds to the "winter" season on Earth's northern hemisphere, calculating from the date and time that our mission began. I hope this epistle proves sufficient to participate in this custom.

I have also heard that historically, Earth has many different religious groups with different traditions that may take place during the same or similar time periods of this winter season. I do not know which of these traditions you observe, but if you inform me, I will endeavour to make next "year's" holiday greeting more appropriate and specific.

My respects,

Cmdr. Spock

Commander Spock,

What a nice surprise to receive a holiday card from you! I really appreciate that you took the time to write one for me, especially considering how illogical it must seem to you to pretend it's an Earth date or season out here in space, just for an excuse to celebrate something.

To answer your question, while I can't claim to be a particularly religiously observant man, I did grow up celebrating Hanukkah in the winter on Earth. If you're interested in learning more about the human holiday traditions some of the crew enjoy at this time of the so-called year, perhaps I could tell you a bit about that one next time we meet for a game of chess.

Happy holidays,

James T. Kirk

Captain,

Following our discussion on the subject at approximately this time last Earth year, I have accessed the ship computer's database to do further research on the beliefs and traditions associated with Hanukkah. I find it very interesting that the Earth dates comprising this holiday are not static, corresponding as they do to a different calendar than the one in standard usage within the Federation. I hope I have calculated correctly and sent this card at the appropriate time.

Humans appear to me to be very multi-faceted and complex in their wide variety of cultural groups. The more I learn from you and the rest of the crew about this variety, the more I understand what an immense achievement it has been for Starfleet to unite so many different humans in pursuit of a common goal, even without taking into account those of us who hail from other planets and bring even more differences along with us. I count myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside humans such as yourself and learn more of their history.

I believe the appropriate holiday greeting is חנוכה שמח,

Spock

Mr. Spock,

Your calculations are perfect, as usual. I received your lovely card yesterday evening, which by our ship's clock, was the first night of Hanukkah. If I had been back at home with my family, I might have been lighting the first candle and playing dreidel with my nephew, but instead I was reviewing Scotty's engineering reports and approving a few shore leave requests. A captain's job is never done!

I'm glad to hear that you find it interesting to work with humans. It must be difficult for you sometimes to be the only Vulcan on the bridge. There's so much about the way we humans interact with each other that we tend to take for granted, without considering that it's just a set of cultural norms not everyone shares. If there's ever anything else you'd like to learn more about to help you understand your slightly Earth chauvinist colleagues like me, you're always welcome to ask.

And I'm very impressed with how neatly and elegantly you wrote out a language that must be completely alien to you. I'm not sure I could have done it that well, it's been so long since I practiced. You'll have to teach me some of your language sometime and I'll see if I can get the hang of it.

Happy holidays,

Jim

Jim,

Please consider this year's holiday card a formal invitation to attend a social gathering organized by some of my laboratory staff, one week from today at 1900 hours in the recreation room. The task of requesting your presence falls to me, as this afternoon several junior members of the science division were distracted from their duties by a spirited debate on the subject. All of them felt that it would be prudent to invite the captain, and yet they also expressed some apprehension about approaching you, fearing that your many other responsibilities to the ship would take priority and necessitate a refusal. The conflict was resolved when Lt. Kelowitz proposed that perhaps the captain would come if Mr. Spock asked him to, to which the others soon agreed.

They seem to believe that you hold me in especially high esteem. I trust you will assist me in maintaining that reputation by attending.

On the advice of my staff, I shall sign off with the statement that I "hope to see you there,"

Spock

Spock,

Wow! You scientist types really know how to throw a party!

I just stumbled back to my quarters and realized I hadn't written this year's card to you yet, so I figured I'd better do it now before I forget. If my handwriting's a little messier than usual, blame it on that mysterious green stuff Scotty showed up with. Whatever it was, it packed a punch.

Not that you'd know, since alcohol doesn't affect Vulcans. Or so you claim, even though I'm pretty sure I caught a glimpse of you looking a little bit flushed just before you left.

I've been meaning to write back to you about what you said about your staff thinking I "hold you in high esteem." I hope you know they're right, and in fact, if anything, that's an understatement. I don't know what I'd do up there on the bridge without you by my side. You're very important to me.

I'd better seal this in an envelope now before I get any more sentimental.

The drunken fool you'll be taking hungover orders from tomorrow morning,

Jim

Hi Spock,

I seem to be awake before you are for once, so I thought to myself, why don't I get the jump on you by writing my holiday card early.

Last night was wonderful.

I'm writing this while you're sleeping very peacefully, looking innocent and unguarded, your hair a total mess. I like that I get to see that way when no one else does. And I'm happy to be able to spend some semblance of the holidays with you, even if there's no snow.

I guess you probably haven't experienced much snow in your life outside of our occasional visits to colder climates. Definitely not on Vulcan, and what they call "winter" in San Francisco is nothing at all like it is further north.

I'd like to take you on a proper date on a snowy evening in December, see the lights decorating the houses in some quaint little neighborhood somewhere, and get some cider or hot chocolate. I think you'd look adorable in a winter hat and scarf. I'll have to buy you some in a color that suits you.

I hope this isn't too emotional for you.

Yours,

Jim

Jim,

I was surprised to receive your card earlier than expected this year. You never seem to cease to surprise me.

You need not worry about being "too emotional." My edicts regarding emotional suppression are my own. I would not expect the same dedication to the precepts of Surak from you, nor would I wish it. You have captivated me the way that you are.

I would be very interested to experience more of Earth's varying climates, should we have the opportunity in the future. As you are correct that my firsthand knowledge of precipitation at subzero temperatures is limited, your guidance in selecting the appropriate attire for such an occasion would be most appreciated.

I am also unfamiliar with the beverages you named, but I imagine this could be easily remedied by use of the ship's food synthesizers. Perhaps at the conclusion of our next shift together, followed by chess in my quarters?

As always, your most devoted friend,

Spock

Dear Spock,

Can you believe this is our last holiday season aboard the Enterprise, at least for now? Not much longer before we'll be back on solid ground, hopefully for a nice long period of leave before our next assignment.

Last year I talked about wanting to show you a real winter on Earth, and I find myself thinking about that idea a lot again lately. I've enjoyed receiving your cards so much every year that it's made me feel like the holiday season has some special significance to our relationship.

Did you know I've saved all the cards you sent me? Even the first one, from when we were just getting to know each other. It was so sweet of you, I just couldn't bear to part with it, even way back before I'd really started to fall for you yet.

Anyway, if you don't have anything in particular planned for your time off, you're welcome to join me in a visit to my humble place of origin, which will have plenty of snow as soon as winter rolls around. You can see what I was talking about when I told you about Hanukkah, and I'll even throw in an introduction to some other human traditions, like ice skating and snowball fights. Plus, I still owe you that hat and scarf I said I'd get you.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want to bring you home to meet my family, Spock. I'm sure they'll all love you as much as I do.

All my love,

Jim

My dear Jim,

Our mission does seem to be drawing to a close quite rapidly. While I would be content to continue in my duties as science officer indefinitely, I will concede that a period of rest may be beneficial to my overall health.

I cannot think of anything I would rather do than spend that time with you in your home, becoming acquainted with your family and your traditions. Your offer is a generous one, and I readily accept. I will leave the travel arrangements, and the procuring of suitable attire, in your capable hands.

I am not certain that I would be amenable to the concept of a "snowball fight," but perhaps I could simply witness rather than participate in that particular activity.

I too have saved every card I received from you. My attachment to the physical items themselves is perhaps illogical, as I have also committed them to memory, and can recall them perfectly without need of the originals. However, for such a small collection of thin and unobtrusive objects, a little sentimentality hardly does me any harm.

By that reasoning, I intend to keep them always.

Love,

Spock

Jim & Spock,

Why the hell you chose to get married in the dead of winter in Iowa is beyond me. It was goddamn freezing getting back to the hotel from the bar last night. Although I guess it beats the heat and the low oxygen at Spock's last almost-wedding. Who could have guessed back then that the two of you would end up here?

Actually, probably almost everyone, including T'Pring. How do you think she and her boyfriend are doing these days? I wonder if they'll send you a gift off the registry.

Anyway, I don't think there's too much to say. You both know you're two of my best friends, despite your ongoing mission to get on my nerves as much as possible at every opportunity, as evidenced by the amount of time you're making me spend trudging through the snow this week. I'm glad to be here to celebrate with you even so.

Congratulations and here's to many happy years together,

Bones

P.S. You'll never catch me saying this again, but I'd take any bet that you two are just about the most adorable couple in the known universe. Seeing the way you found each other out there in the stars almost makes me believe in miracles.