The gift that keeps on giving

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
 
Christmas is that time of year when friends and families gather to enjoy spending quality time with each other, but according to Black Hills native Steve Anderson, it seems like families are spending less time together due to the constant busyness. To combat this trend, Anderson published a book in October titled “Get a Clue: Treasures Beyond the Christmas Tree” to help people spend more time with family and guests. 
In what began as a tradition with his own kids, Anderson provides an easy-to-follow layout in the book for a Christmas treasure hunt. It is a four-clue hunt that usually takes about an hour, depending on the number of participants, using 18 different locations both in the house and outside. The kitchen, living room and garage are some usual locations. The book has about 230 clues to choose from that help build participants’ knowledge, ranging in difficulty depending on the age of the clue finders.
“We found it to be quite enriching,” Anderson said. “It was quite entertaining and fun.” 
Anderson added that while he was growing up, guests were always present around Christmas time, and his own kids continued that tradition by inviting “stragglers” to their home for the holidays. 
“There’s a tradition in our family to take in guests if needed,” Anderson said. “Our folks always had people show up that didn’t have a place to go.” 
The desire to leave their guests with something special and memorable was where the idea for a treasure hunt was born. Anderson’s family would usually place a monetary gift in a box as the final prize at the end of the hunt.
Anderson laughed.
“We always found that kids liked money,” he said.
But, he added, the prize can be anything the host chooses because the hunt is not about the gift at the end but the memories made while getting there. The clue hunt is an easy, inexpensive way to leave guests with a unique Christmas gift.
“Our children will not remember you for the gifts you bought them, but the time you spent,” Anderson said. “Time spent with family is the most precious thing.” 
The book is an easy read and includes some of Anderson’s short personal stories in addition to the clues. The most difficult task is figuring out how to lay out the clues for the target audience, which can range from 5-year-olds all the way up to adults, but “Get a Clue” makes setting up a treasure hunt as easy as possible.
“Christmas can be stressful for some and chaotic,” Anderson said. “The book is a clever way out.”
With the various clues to choose from, the book is not a one-time ordeal and can be used for many years to come, according to Anderson. The book itself can be a Christmas gift to start up a fun tradition for the whole family. 
This is not the first book Anderson has published. After graduating from Black Hills State University, he worked for the Boeing Co. in Wichita, Kansas, where he did a lot of technical writing for first aid certification. Branching into a more fun project so his wife could add it to her library, Anderson wrote “The Alternate Compass: A Craft Course on an Ironhorse,” which guides readers on the more scenic, less traveled roads in America. Since retiring just north of Newcastle, Anderson hopes to attempt a fiction book in the future, even though “that side of (his) brain isn’t developed yet” because he has only written nonfiction. Anderson said it will be a fun way to still do some writing in retirement. 
“Get a Clue” is available at Decker’s Market, Amazon and the Weston County Library. So be sure to take a look and maybe start a new family tradition for Christmas.