Write a story in which a cynical character gets amnesia on Christmas Eve.

Posted in Christmas on Dec 15, 2023

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 28 stories

“The Anamnesis Before Christmas” by Derrick M Domican

Submitted to Contest #229

“Hey, can we call it a night after Europe?” said one of the two who could speak in the party of ten, as they bumped and rocked and skittered across the sky. “That’s like 70% of the world and I’ve been reading about this 70-30 rule, which advocates allocating 70% of your time to taking action and leaving 30% aside for having fun. I’m really into this. I say we’ve worked hard enough and deserve a break. The Bahamas would be nice. It’s a straight run when we drop this load, what do you say?”“I say the same thing I always say when you make this ...

32 comments 32

Read story

“The Christmas Santa Forgot” by Timothy Rennels

Submitted to Contest #229

The Christmas Santa Forgot Sometimes it was stressful being Santa Claus’ wife. She loved what he did but she wanted a life. So, on Thursday afternoons she went out with the girls, Had an eggnog or two and shook loose her curls. She would tell Santa stories and the girls all would laugh. She waved her gloved hand and said, “You don’t know the half! You may not believe it but once we were young. This giving presents thing had just begun. Santa was an athlete when he was younger, He missed competing because he still had that hunger. But as ...

15 comments 15

Read story

“Guy in Black” by Helen A Smith

Submitted to Contest #229

At first glance, it would be easy to mistake it for a gift store, rather than a busy charity shop. It’s the time of year when seasonal items that are new seem to take over from the goods the public have donated second-hand. There are bays of Christmas cards and shelves decked in festive gifts: glass globes containing snowmen in miniature hats and scarves adorn the shelves in various sizes, simply begging to be taken home and shaken; hot water bottles in furry covers with pictures of dogs, cats, reindeer, hedgehogs and other ‘cuties also shou...

22 comments 22

Read story

“Just the Hot Chocolate, Thanks. ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #229

I remember going shopping as a kid during the holidays. It was busy, and bustling and there were people all over the place. It was exciting. Everyone would smile at me and ask me about what I wanted for Christmas. I loved it. Every year, when I’d go out with my mom she’d be stressed. She’d wring her hands and pull at her hair as we walked. I would stop and talk with every stranger who would listen. I’d tell them anything they wanted to know, and at the end when we said goodbye, I’d say “buh bye, I love you!” I guess I’d said it one too ...

7 comments 7

Read story

“Eve” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #229

‘Who am I? Where am I?’ Roy stood in the still, dark night, holding a package wrapped like a present. He didn’t know who it was for. Starlight helped him see its professional wrapping in fine paper. It had no tag indicating the intended recipient. The large box, though not unwieldy, felt lighter than he’d expected. He could only guess its contents. ‘Why must I lug this box around?’ The stars looked like velvet in the clear sky. The Milky Way lay just out of reach. Trees lining the road seemed to glow through the darkness. He felt submerged ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“The Living Parents Literary Support Group” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #229

At the Living Parents Literary Support Group, Rebecca regretted every dad that died. With each, she lost a member.“Roll call,” she announced. “Is everyone’s parents still alive?”“Yes,” the man sitting on her left declared.“Both Alive,” the next member said.. “Yep.” “Yessirree.” One by one, the dozen attendees of the 23rd annual LPLSG Christmas Dinner acknowledged the sad fact that their parents were alive and well.“Hmm…” Nicole Johnson mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.“Nicole?” Rebecca probed.“My mother passed two wee...

25 comments 25

Read story

“The Humble Christmas Wish” by Cynthia Prokarym (Scott)

Submitted to Contest #229

The letter, handwritten in red, green, and brown Crayolas, lay on the little girl's Barbie Mermaid & Friends' table on Christmas Eve, waiting for someone to mail it to the North Pole. It didn't begin with the usual “Dear Santa." Instead, scrawled in large print was a simple request, one that would never reach Santa in time.Jenny Harris had drawn stick figures of her mom, her aunt Marjorie, a very fat Santa, and herself…gathered around a snowman that sported a carrot nose, two charcoal eyes, and a cherry mouth. There also was a snowball i...

3 comments 3

Read story

“A Christmas Worth Forgetting” by Rose Winters

Submitted to Contest #229

A Christmas Worth ForgettingThe doorbell clanged and the whole family moaned. Everyone except Florence, who headed for the door, exasperated. “Kids, be nice to Uncle Brian. I mean it. It’s Christmas Eve, for God’s sake.”“But he’s so mean.” Jillian plopped a bowl of mashed potatoes onto the crimson tablecloth, smoothing her Christmas-colored plaid skirt.“Not mean. Just crotchety. Do as your mom says. Play nice.” Jim leaned over the golden-brown turkey, carving generous slices, his black brows furrowed in concentration.“Dad, Uncle Brian’s tota...

4 comments 4

Read story

“How The Grinch SAVED Christmas :)” by Vanessa Severino

Submitted to Contest #229

One cold wintery day in early November, five close friends gathered together in their church fellowship hall over pizza and soda to discuss plans for the annual young adult Christmas party. Mr. Cynical, AKA Jake Rayes, was at it again with his yearly rebuttals, on why Christmas parties were silly, irrelevant to the birth of Christ, and a huge waste of time, you name it. Jake thought of it. Once the itinerary for the evening was planned out, the group got started on their list of venues. Every year, each of five were assigned a particular...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Flickering Lights” by Chelsea Kennedy

Submitted to Contest #229

Claire scowled as she bustled down the busy street. It was Christmas Eve, and every store window was alight with candles and cheery decorations. Why people were still out shopping she’d never know. After all, if they’d just go home, she could close up shop and finally be done for the season. Until the after Christmas sales, at least. Grumbling to herself, Claire pulled her scarf closer around her face. She shouldn’t complain so much. The more people spent while out shopping, the more money she made. Owning a shop downtown during Christmas...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Santa Hat” by Sophie Lieth

Submitted to Contest #229

Dan was really regretting wearing a Santa hat to work. Most of his colleagues had smiled upon seeing it. Chief Collie had even complimented him on it, and she was a notorious grouch. Feeling adequately whimsical and jolly for the twenty-third of December, Dan slung his bag over the back of his chair at the desk he shared with his partner. “You know there’s a dress code, don’t you?” Detective Liu said without looking up from his computer. This reaction wasn’t entirely unexpected, but put a damper on Dan’s good mood anyway. “I’m aware, yes....

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Joke's on George” by Ray Murphy

Submitted to Contest #229

Providence, Rhode Island, 1994“Sincerity is hard to come by. Everything is such a setup,” George complained without reason while his wife, Wanda, concentrated on her eyeliner. ‘You’re in our thoughts and prayers.” He snorted. “If you count the thoughts, yeah. Once. Because you said it. I was in your thoughts. But how many of those hypocrites actually pray for anybody?”“George, will you calm down. People are just trying to be nice when they say that,” Wanda said. "You shouldn’t be insulted. You sound like my father! Besides, nobody has died! ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Somewhere In My Memory” by Hannah P. Simmons

Submitted to Contest #229

BEEP BEEPI pull the curtain back and glance out the frosted window pane and see my daughter’s red hatchback parked on the curb. Our eyes meet, and she smiles nervously, waving a hand clad with fingerless gloves. I take a deep breath, grateful that the car is red. That made it easier to recall. Red is a Christmas color, after all.Pulling on my coat, I grip the doorknob and the panic rushes in like a flood.I can’t remember her name. Oh God. What is her name?My mouth gapes open, ragged breaths staggering in and out before I can even think to ca...

7 comments 7

Read story

“Missing Pages” by Kyla Tavares

Submitted to Contest #229

“Have a Merry Christmas,” the person at the register said. “Whatever,” she scoffed, and quickly left the store. As she was leaving its vicinity, she saw a person dressed up in a costume. He wore the iconic red and white outfit, outfitted with a stupid looking hat. He also had stuffed pillows under his costume, that much was obvious. The people crowding around him didn’t seem to notice, or maybe they didn’t care. All...

1 comment 1

Read story

“A Forgettable Christmas” by Joana Sério

Submitted to Contest #229

Luz does the best she can with her life and the choices she's made. She doesn't quite agree when it's said that there are no regrets because she does regret. She laments some of the choices she's made and regrets letting certain people into her life. She knows that those she regrets allowing into her life came with the purpose of teaching her something, and honestly, after some disagreements and painful episodes, she always comes to the same conclusion: "I like myself more and more every time."She never denied vanity in herself and always ow...

3 comments 3

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a festive party gone wrong that’s saved by some holiday magic.

Holiday – 24 stories

Write about a character who visits their hometown for the holidays and reconnects with a former love interest.

Holiday – 65 stories

Start or end your story with a character finding out the love of their life is actually royalty.

Romance – 19 stories

Write a story in which a character is stuck reliving their worst Christmas ever, over and over again.

Christmas – 35 stories

Contest #229

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Mistletoe and Meet-Cutes

$250

Prize money

171

Contest entries

64

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 22, 2023 EST

Won by Aaron Chin 🏆

Title: The Gingerbread Cookies

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write a story in which a cynical character gets amnesia on Christmas Eve.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 28 stories

“The Anamnesis Before Christmas” by Derrick M Domican

“The Christmas Santa Forgot” by Timothy Rennels

“Guy in Black” by Helen A Smith

“Just the Hot Chocolate, Thanks. ” by Melissa Taylor

“Eve” by John K Adams

“The Living Parents Literary Support Group” by Scott Christenson

“The Humble Christmas Wish” by Cynthia Prokarym (Scott)

“A Christmas Worth Forgetting” by Rose Winters

“How The Grinch SAVED Christmas :)” by Vanessa Severino

“Flickering Lights” by Chelsea Kennedy

“The Santa Hat” by Sophie Lieth

“The Joke's on George” by Ray Murphy

“Somewhere In My Memory” by Hannah P. Simmons

“Missing Pages” by Kyla Tavares

“A Forgettable Christmas” by Joana Sério

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a festive party gone wrong that’s saved by some holiday magic.

Write about a character who visits their hometown for the holidays and reconnects with a former love interest.

Start or end your story with a character finding out the love of their life is actually royalty.

Write a story in which a character is stuck reliving their worst Christmas ever, over and over again.

Contest #229

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

171

Contest entries

64

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: