End your story with a character receiving a deeply meaningful gift they weren’t expecting.

Posted in Adults on Nov 18, 2022

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✍️ 66 stories

“The Giant Acorn” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #173

Mila shuddered as she clung to the cattail over hanging the river. She was a rabbit and could swim if she wanted to; but she was frightened of what lurked just under the surface. Vlad the Chomper floated as still as a bumpy green log, only his bulbous, lichen-colored eyes glared upwards at her. She knew that under the water his one hundred gnarly pointed teeth stuck out from his long, grinning, alligator snout.Mila’s long back feet scrambled against the grassy bank, found hold, and propelled her upwards. She sputtered with fur...

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“THE PORTRAIT” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #173

THE PORTRAIT “ Oh, how wonderful! It’s really a masterpiece! Really brilliant! I could say I came here for this sculpture ( work)” Maggie said. She seemed truly enthusiastic about Joe K.’s self-portrait, which was exposed inside a glass case and frozen. In fact, the marvelous work of the genius could only exist as long as it remained frozen. “Ah, and then how wonderful is this museum, which allows dogs and cats to enter, and even without a muzzle! On, it’s magnificent! I find this permission a demonstration of great sensibility, ...

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“A MOST CHERISHED GIFT” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #173

What is the measure of a gift? Is it the item you buy? How much you spend? How many gifts you get? How can one person decide what gift comes from your heart? I would like to believe that deep inside our hearts we are not a greedy people. I would like to believe when a person, someone you love gives you a gift you would cherish and love the gift with all your heart. A gift is a treasure, one that will make you happy and make you smile. I love giving meaningful gifts. It makes me smile when my friends and family open their gifts and I love...

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“Gifts Along the Ocean Road” by Rebecca Leclere

Submitted to Contest #173

It was a glorious day outside the Melbourne airport, the air sweet and warm, the sun positioned to cast the strip of sidewalk floating outside baggage claim in morning shade. There were no doubt frills of riotous flowers, and flitting glimpses of birds, and fronds of all kinds stooping radiantly overhead, but none of it could make up for the amount staring back at Mrs. Hammel from the lit icon of her Wells Fargo app; $3,000 less than there’d been a week ago. A flash of aggravation towards her dead husband rose from nowhere, a horrible feel...

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“Uncle Bob” by Michael Longo

Submitted to Contest #173

Mrs. Pelton, the 4th grade teacher, said: “It is 10 days before Christmas. This is your last week of school. We will be working on small projects and one of our projects will be talking about someone you miss and haven't seen for some time. Each of you will write a short story about that person.” Billy had to think about that. He said, “I know! I'll write about Santa Claus: my Uncle Bob.” He started writing his story: This story is about my Uncle Bob. Uncle Bob is my mom's oldest brother. He played Santa Claus for many years. He alwa...

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“The Crow's Extraordinary Gift ” by Aaron Roberts

Submitted to Contest #173

“I don’t understand! I pay good money for you to take good care of her, and you can’t even make sure she eats?” “Sir, I told you this before. At this time, Miss Betty is in a bad mood because no one comes to visit her. As a result, she is refusing to eat.” These are the kind of conversations Marta Rich has to deal with while working as a CNA. She cares for her patients, she does. It’s just the patients' families she’s not too fond of. A simple phone call always has to be a battle. &nbs...

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“Happy Christmas, Mrs Barker!” by Jan MacFarlane

Submitted to Contest #173

There’s a buzz in the air: an excited buzz, providing harmonious backing vocals to the selection of upbeat Christmas songs which I’ve chosen to play on a loop. Everyone’s busy. We’ve got quite a production line going: some are drawing round their hands, while others colour the outlines green before handing them to the next group who cut them out. (Please, don’t think I’m some kind of fiend, making kids colour white paper green for the fun of it. The truth is we’ve run out of green paper and the Boss says he can’t buy any more ‘til next year!...

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“How I Found You” by Holly Sissons

Submitted to Contest #173

How I Found You Trudy was sitting on the drive with the engine running as I rounded the corner. As soon as she saw me, she gave a casual wave and pulled off through a cloud of exhaust smoke. It would have been nice if she’d had time to stop and say hello given what day it was, but she looked rushed as usual. It wasn’t as though I was asking for a lot, such as to find a warm, heavenly-scented bath drawn for me after the end of another long night shift. I sighed as I realised that she hadn’t had time to deal with...

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“The Gift” by Mary Gould

Submitted to Contest #173

The Gift Tandria Minot counted the tips from her twelve- hour waitressing Saturday shift, $10.05. If the tips got any smaller, she’d have to get out a tin cup and a begging sign and parked herself on the corner. She smiled at the image; one must not lose hope even in the worst circumstances, smile and courtesy were the hallmarks of food service industry. Besides, begging in the street wasn’t an option. Where would she find the time? Mountain C...

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“Daisy and Rose” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #173

What is the most precious gift anyone can ever give or receive for Christmas, or any other occasion for that matter? Well, sit down, make yourself comfortable and I will tell you. The moon paused to peer through an uncurtained window into a small room with nothing but a bed, two chairs, and a large chest. Two heads in floppy hats lay on a pillow, and two pairs of bright blue eyes stared at the sparkling stars. -"I'm so glad we got our shirts done on time." said a tired little voice. -"Yes, and the kids will be happy with our tree. Th...

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“The Box” by T.M. Kehoe

Submitted to Contest #173

He’s really gone. The thought rattles around in my mind, tumbles into meaninglessness. When he comes home for the holidays this Christmas, it will not be him. It will be a man, with experiences, a life I don’t know about, dressed in his skin. Looking almost the same, but so very different. What do I think of this unknown man? Resentment, for stealing my child from me. Fear, at the inevitable changes. But most of all, pride, at who he is becoming. In the room, we optimistically call the “laundry room,” is a ...

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“Charlie's Gift” by Paige Lohr

Submitted to Contest #173

When I met Charlie he was stationed in Germany with the reserves. we texted and Skyped until he came home. Then we dated and really hit it off. Both of us had been hurt in the past. So we wanted to take it slow and be sure of our feelings. I told him of my insecurities with men, and how it had ti do with me growing up with a controlling mother. She was not an affectionate person either. When I was a teenager, my body was changing and emotions were all over the place. I had no one to turn too for advice and support. Mother was a bitch and...

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“THE MAGIC GIFT” by David D'EttoreUser

Submitted to Contest #173

THE MAGIC GIFT The first snowfall was always a magic time for Noelle. Sun-bathed summer blues, greens, and yellows had drifted into the oranges and reds of autumn that ultimately faded to the drab canvas of grays and browns of early winter. She waited with eager anticipation for that wonderland of white that would erase the drabness and fulfill the joyous anticipation of Christmas. ...

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“The life of A lost journal” by Sri Vi S

Submitted to Contest #173

Dainis waited at the side-lines thinking to himself. Who was he? Where was he from? Or at least where was he now? A zillion questions razored through his head. He was about to be born you see. He had bided his “time” for that special container. His mind did not fathom the form he would take. This was no one person task. There had been multi-threaded cogs in that macrocosmic giant wheel that had to be set in motion. The interesting fact was that he remembered this day in the million years he had been born. Earlier times he would just be there...

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“The Gift of Maggie” by Mark Linsky

Submitted to Contest #173

The Gift of Maggie (With apologies to O. Henry) Author’s Note: Nobody told a tale with a twist better than O.Henry. His short story ‘The Gift of the Magi’ is a classic, ...

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End your story with a character receiving a deeply meaningful gift they weren’t expecting.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 66 stories

“The Giant Acorn” by Tanya Humphreys

“THE PORTRAIT” by Mara Masolini

“A MOST CHERISHED GIFT” by Melinda Madrigal

“Gifts Along the Ocean Road” by Rebecca Leclere

“Uncle Bob” by Michael Longo

“The Crow's Extraordinary Gift ” by Aaron Roberts

“Happy Christmas, Mrs Barker!” by Jan MacFarlane

“How I Found You” by Holly Sissons

“The Gift” by Mary Gould

“Daisy and Rose” by F.O. Morier

“The Box” by T.M. Kehoe

“Charlie's Gift” by Paige Lohr

“THE MAGIC GIFT” by David D'EttoreUser

“The life of A lost journal” by Sri Vi S

“The Gift of Maggie” by Mark Linsky

🌟 Similar prompts

Coming up with a gift idea was the easy part — getting your hands on it is another thing entirely.

Write about a character going to great lengths to return an unwanted gift.

Write a story starring a store cashier, during the busy pre-holiday season.

Write a story that includes the phrase “Thank you! It’s just what I wanted.”

Contest #173

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

168

Contest entries

79

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: