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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#122: Spree Season

What comes after Thanksgiving? Black Friday, of course! Though this massive shopping occasion originated in America, it’s since become normal practice in many parts of the world. And did you know the reason why this jolly season has such a bleak name? (Hint: it’s got nothing to do with sales and discounts!) Apparently, the police once used “Black Friday” to refer to the bumper-to-bumper traffic and crowds congesting streets as people rushed through their holiday shopping. 


With this origin story in mind, here’s our gift to you this week: five prompts inspired by this strange and exciting intermission in the end-of-year holiday season. (And if you’re looking for actual gifts with a writerly flair, we’ve got 60 gift suggestions for you.)

This week's prompts

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

Christmas – 27 stories

Start your story in the middle of a traffic jam.

Thriller and Suspense – 27 stories

Write a story about a limited edition item going on sale.

Thriller and Suspense – 11 stories

A package arrives at your character’s house, but they didn’t order anything. Write about what happens next.

Thriller and Suspense – 59 stories

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

Christmas – 25 stories

Stories

“Orbicular Gridlock” by John Brannon

Submitted to Contest #122

New York City on a Friday afternoon, was everybody headed out of town? Traffic would suddenly move as if now it was clearing, but then nope. Sitting, waiting, the frustration was oppressive. As a NYPD detective, Dave had a blue light on his dash and a siren. Dave hated using the siren, it was so loud. But even using his lights and siren he would literally have had to drive on the sidewalk to escape the confining traffic. Dave had driven on the sidewalk before during a pursuit, but sidewalk driving was stressful and pretty high...

4 comments 4
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“A Black Friday” by Iyebiye Olawuyi

Submitted to Contest #122

The soft air breeze that blew at his face smelled so much like uncertainty. The really friendly nature of the cab driver, the high-rise buildings of Victoria Island or the beautiful early- sunrise view of the Lekki-Ikoyi road meant nothing to him. The only thing that mattered to him was making it out of the traffic jam early enough for his interview. As cars kissed each other's bumpers and his world seemed to be at a standstill, Fred’s heart was racing at a speed that only anxiety can sponsor. Fred had always heard of Black Friday and t...

1 comment 1
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“The Black Tanzanite” by Veronica D

Submitted to Contest #122

Traveling through space on our ship trying to find the item we're looking for. JJ Bonne a sell man that purchases the best rare items in the universe patrol waiting for the signal from the market to open. JJ always likes to show off and promote his items to the universe. Carmen looked around the list of items while waiting “We need a new energy source for our ship our last energy source last about three years or more but it's expensive. Today is the only day of getting that energy source for a valuable price. My hands gripping the armchair w...

0 comments 0
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“Forever Fred” by Olivia Jackson

Submitted to Contest #122

Annie had always thought the holidays were a beautiful time of year.  She had not always viewed them as surviving them.  There were happier times; times when she looked forward to the Thanksgiving turkey with family and friends around her table, but those times were long gone.  Black Friday took on a different meaning now. She didn't participate in the shopping of that day.  There was no joy in this time of year anymore.  Her life had felt quite dark since he’d gone.  She and Fred had been together for such a lo...

4 comments 4
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“The Package” by Shelley Delmage

Submitted to Contest #122

Amy heard footsteps thump up the stairs at the front entrance before the doorbell rang. Her little dog, Zippy, barked once and ran to the door, tail wagging, expectantly looking back and forth from the door to Amy. “Coming!” She called out as she eased out of the recliner. She had been sitting for way too long and her bones creaked and ached like a woman twice her age. She was she healing from a car accident she’d been in a couple weeks ago and wasn’t moving anywhere fast these days, with her heavy casted leg and crutches. Lim...

2 comments 2
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“The Burning Candle” by RJ O’Hara

Submitted to Contest #122

**TW// This story involves a person who becomes severely paralyzed. Anyone who has personal experience with this kind of tragedy should be advised.**James Dufont lived an ideal American life. He had a nice, three story house, a loving wife, three beautiful children; the quintessential, traditional western life. He was a cheerful figure; always friendly and talkative. He would uplift anyone who was near him by his mere presence alone. He was religiously devout, stressing the teachings of the New Testament to his children, and always leading h...

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“Freedom in a Box” by Gayle Hammond

Submitted to Contest #122

FINDING DANNY"Mum you got a package" yelled Danny from the front door entrance. Through the front gate a skinny woman in black jeans and t-shirt was exiting toward a custom built motor trike holding a man in black leathers wearing a helmet."I didn't order any thing." responded Karen as she walked toward the entrance. Standing in the doorway, she recognised the deliverer.The old grey bearded male took off his helmet and informed the boy the parcel was for him. "It belongs to your dad."Karen tried to rip the parcel from Danny's hands but he tu...

2 comments 2
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“A voice from the grave” by Kathryn Davis

Submitted to Contest #122

A voice from the grave Memories take me back to 1965 at the time of my fathers' dearth.  My father's funeral was just last week, and the conversation within our home continued to resonate as stories from the past provided a calming background to those he left behind. He was not a particularly friendly man, born in 1894 when social interactions were kept private, even within the confines of the family.  Also, since he was a professional man, as a pharmacist in a small country town, his reputation was his most treasured possession. ...

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“WE ARE YOUR MASTERS” by Aaron Thompson

Submitted to Contest #122

Warning: Highly sensitive topics including depictions of physical violence and substance abuse.Montgomery Lewis awoke instantly in his usual state of ritualistic despair by a continuous thrashing at his front door. His sleep had been restless and dreamless, and the sheets were damp. After several grunts and heavy sighs, he glanced at the alarm clock atop the mahogany bedside table to his right.8:12Flurries of rain water danced against the windows as if they were being targeted by sprinklers, and the wind howled and wailed like a child who st...

5 comments 5
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“The Fairy Lure” by Cej After

Submitted to Contest #122

He would not have seen the package until Thursday had it not been for the screeching of tires in front of the house. For anyone else, an ominous sound, but one that he feels attracted to like some masochistic moth to a constant, dull flickering torch. Shuffling down the entryway, he cracks the door and peers out onto the silent street. He knows what he heard, even though there isn’t a car in sight. The sounds of his most recent trauma: screeching tires, crunching metal, sirens, voices over police radio, have become the shibboleths in the lan...

1 comment 1
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“The Case of the Mysterious Air Fryer” by Amber Fox

Submitted to Contest #122

The names in this story have been changed. The holiday season had arrived and all the hustle and bustle that came with it. The smell of orange peels and cinnamon sticks simmering in water on the stove filled the cozy home on North Pinehurst Avenue. Ember and Jenna were busy wrapping princess dolls and race car tracks while "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" played in the background on the flat screen T.V. It was indeed, the most wonderful time of the year for both of them who shared the love of decorating and festive carols. Jen...

4 comments 4
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“As The Snow Falls” by The Self Sufficient Show

Submitted to Contest #122

As The Snow Falls By Travis                Staring at the toys all displayed in their brightly colored boxes distinct designs. Hearing the children call out to their parents that they want this and that toy for Christmas. Laughter all around and an infectious holiday spirit in the air. I alone though am on an island of despair. Work was slow I could barely get enough money to put a roof above my family’s head and there was always little food to spare. Many nigh...

2 comments 2
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“The Bureived Wife's First Christmas ” by Elizabeth Ann Moran

Submitted to Contest #122

Everyone has finished their Thanksgiving feast, that she just felt miserable through; she couldn't wait for it to be over. She never felt this way before; just a month ago she couldn't wait for it, family to be together. Now, a very important piece of her family is gone, her husband. Just a year and a half ago she loss her mom; now her husband is gone as well. When she needed to talk to someone, she'd call her mom. When her mom passed, her husband stepped up. He really listened to her and supported her more than he ever had before. They have...

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“Oh Bloody Hell!! Not shopping again!!” by Kathleen Carlson

Submitted to Contest #122

As we all know, Holiday shopping isn't for anyone. I should know. I cannot stand shopping. Especially for the holidays. You never know what to get or how much to spend. For example: Whenever I shop, I try to get cheap stuff. Simple, cheap slippers, Those cordial cherries, hickory sausage sets, etc. But, because I can't stand shopping, all those people, long lines, annoying Santa and the elves, etc, I'm getting gift cards. Plain and simple. But, being depressed doesn't help either. My marriage fell apart. I'm in an abusive relationship with a...

2 comments 2
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“Office Blues” by Ben Rounds

Submitted to Contest #122

Jennifer had hung the last streamer. It had taken a long time because the H’s kept flipping assy-verys and hooking the O’s.“If that was a party game I’d have never gotten it to work,” she sighed, her eyes moving over the empty store with a weary sort of peace. It was done, and when her co-workers came in the next day they would appreciate that someone, at least, had made an effort.“It’s beginning to look a lot…” she whispered, nuzzling her itchy nose into the rather horrible sweater she had disinterred for the season. It was s...

2 comments 2
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$250

Prize money

149

Contest entries

104

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 03, 2021 EST

Won by Laura Jarosz 🏆

Title: No Forwarding Address

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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