Best Christmas Writing Prompts of 2023

Instead of turning to the same old holiday traditions, why not embrace the Christmas spirit by writing about it this year? From reindeer soaring in the sky to sleighs gliding on the snow, writing prompts are a fun way to celebrate the holiday season that can help invigorate the memories of students and get kids to come up with all sorts of creative ideas about everything holiday-flavored. And sharing the stories around a Christmas tree is one of those family activities that you just can’t beat.

If you’re looking to cut to the festive chase, here are ten top Christmas writing prompts:

Every year around Christmas, Satan accidentally gets thousands of letters from children writing to Santa. This year, however, he gets a letter that makes him sit up and take notice.

Start your story with one character making a vow they would never have made the year before.

The turkey is on the floor. Stuffing is stuck to the ceiling. The tree has been toppled over. The presents have been singed. What happened to cause this chaotic Christmas scene?

Write about a character who won’t (or can’t) shop for the holidays.

Write about a character who’s stuck in a shopping mall.

Write about Christmas Day from Rudolph's perspective.

Write about light returning to a place deprived of it for a long time, literally or figuratively.

"Excuse me," someone says to you, tapping you on the shoulder. "Are these your antlers? You dropped them."

You are Santa Claus, and you're running late for work because you're stuck in the middle of a traffic jam caused by a Justice for Reindeer protest.

In the form of Christmas wishlists over the years, write a story about a character growing up.

If you have a student who’s interested in learning how to write stories beyond the holiday season, check out our free resources on the topic:

How to Write a Short Story (free course) — Short stories are one of the greatest writing forms, and it’s never too early to learn how to write them. In this free ten-day course, Laura Mae Isaacman, a full-time editor who’s worked with authors like Joyce Carol Oates, takes students through the whole process. From coming up with story ideas to writing the story itself, Larau will cover it all for writers of every age.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.