What time of year is your story taking place? Besides using the weather to create vivid scenes, you can add another dimension using holidays. They add depth to our lives; likewise they can enhance your characters. How does he or she feel about it? Happy? Sad? Nuisance? You don’t have to dwell on it, but it’s another way to build character.

It also lends a sense of time, possibly even place. For example, you could have what would otherwise be a somewhat boring (but necessary) conversation take place at some sort of holiday celebration to add color and interest. This brings to mind an episode of The Big Bang Theory where Raj was going to break-up with his girlfriend right before Valentine’s Day.

Adding them also adds another touch of realism to your story since holidays are a part of life. The reader may not miss them if you don’t include them, but mentioning them adds a touch of real life. Birthdays are another one that can add some color and a sense of reality.