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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#173: Giving, Receiving, and Return Receipts

Yikes! The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s almost time for me to panic-shop for gifts. Even if you aren’t a big fan of Black Friday (when mega discounts and hard-won bargains are up for grabs) you might still be thinking about what to give to your loved ones, or what you might ask for yourself.

This week’s prompts are in the spirit of gift-giving. Whether your characters know just what to get, are scrambling for ideas at the last minute, or are the lucky (or perhaps unlucky) recipient of their own gift, it’s time to gather those wishlists and prepare for the upcoming festive season.

This week's prompts

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

Adventure – 22 stories

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

Adults – 66 stories

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

Funny – 22 stories

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

Holiday – 27 stories

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

Holiday – 31 stories

Stories

“Retail” by Craig Thompson

Submitted to Contest #173

Retail James was standing behind the register, staring at the pos screen and sighed. He had just clocked in and walked up to his register. The little, time-clock thing where he swiped his badge had told him where he’d be spending the next 8 hours of his life. Where he would be wearing this stupid ass, blue vest he wore. He was zoned out staring at his screen still trying to comprehend the turn of events in the last year. A little more than a year ago, he was a sous chef at one of the trendiest ...

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“The Holiday Crazies” by Gloria Parker

Submitted to Contest #173

The smell of a mall is a mixture of stuffy air and French fries from the food court. It didn’t smell half bad in the store, because we were in between one of the entrances and the food court, which meant the stuffy air was almost all let outside every time the doors opened, which resulted in the smell mostly just being French fries. Of course, there was the occasional day where no one bought French fries and then it just smelled like Thai food. Today it was a mixture of them both. And the occasional hot chocolate smell, which ...

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“Oh, Thank You, Jeremy” by Ralph Emery Barhydt

Submitted to Contest #173

Oh, Jeremy, thank you. It’s just what I wanted!” She pulled the gleaming, steel gun, a Glock G22, from the wrapping. It really was a thing of beauty no matter what the left-wingers say. She looked it over with great appreciation. After awhile, she ejected the clip. “Jeremy! You devil, you didn’t. This clip is live. So exciting. You really were a dear.” Then, inserted the clip and she shot me three times. It hurt and as I lay dying, I had to reflect over the past year with Connie. So many good, good times. But, she met Alfred. Bummer,...

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“A Family Still” by Joseph Friesen

Submitted to Contest #173

“So do you want it?” Ethan asked. The bells on his knitted Christmas sweater jingled as he reclined on the couch. A fire crackled in the hearth and snow fluttered outside a window that was illuminated by cheap Christmas lights. The scent of baking turkey and oven-top stuffing filled the cozy room where Ethan and his sister sat on overstuffed couches. “What, your air fryer?” “Yeah, I’ll cut you a deal. Fifty bucks, just for you, Cass.” Cass pried open a pistachio and discarded the empty shell on a growin...

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“I'll Be Home For Christmas” by Natalie Schmitt

Submitted to Contest #173

I walked along the crowded cobblestone city streets on the gloomy mid-afternoon of December 24, the day everyone was supposed to be happy, supposed to be excited, supposed to be a lot of things I was not. I had a sealed envelope in my hand. People smiled at me. They hadn’t read the papers close enough. I shoved my left hand, the one not holding the envelope, into the pocket of my capelet coat and walked faster. My breath blew out in front of me in a white fog as if I were a steam engine. My ears and nose were numb, and my eyes stung w...

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“Would you like some champagne and caviar?” by Madeline Honig

Submitted to Contest #173

Animals fill the room, eyes of glass and lack of bodies beyond the fur, otherwise, the four men in their short leather chairs would not be able to sit so calmly without their rifles. The smell of smoke filled the room. Half from the cigars. Half from the fire burning in the grand fireplace, the only light source in the dim room. The room is small but the decor is rich with dark green wall paper and dark wood paneling. “More Scotch?” The man with the grizzly bear behind him asks. “I mustn't, the misses ...

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“A Parting Gift” by Bryan Johnson

Submitted to Contest #173

Christmas Eve was never a dull day for Derek. He was managing and preparing Christmas dinner, handling family members who were doing their utmost best at making things complicated, all while simultaneously wrangling four kids, which made for a hectic but memorable holiday season. The hustle and bustle of his home were replaced with a deafening silence of his car interior as he drove down the dimly lit backroads of the outer city. Christmas Eve was never dull for Derek and his family. Even more, now that Penny turned up missing from the festi...

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“Grandpa's Christmas Wish” by Joseph Monachino

Submitted to Contest #173

Thanksgiving dinner had just wrapped up at the Taylor household. Tom and his grandson, Bob, get out of their seats. They head to the living room and sit beside each other. They are getting ready to watch the Detroit Lions take on the Dallas Cowboys on TV. Bob engages in conversation with his grandpa, Tom. “Another year is almost over. Can you believe it, grandpa. Christmas is only 4 weeks away.” “Yes, it is, Bob. I can hardly believe it.”, replies Grandpa Tom. “I have to ask you something, Grandpa”...

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“Under the Bridge” by R. Thurston Stephens

Submitted to Contest #173

The beggar-shaman who lived under the bridge told me, in no uncertain terms, that I would have to pay the spirits for my karma. I turned around to ask him how I might accomplish this, only to find that he had already wandered off. I knew it would do no good to chase him down. He tended to forget discussions as soon as they were over. Sitting cross-legged by the riverbank, I waited for the early morning sun to warm my skin while I contemplated his words. The rhythmic lapping of the cold northern water coming ou...

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“Funny, Isn't It ” by Jer Long

Submitted to Contest #173

FUNNY, ISN’T IT By Jer Long “Funny,” I replied when my friend Stash asked me how it was going with my new beau. “Funny? It’s been nine months.” Sipping his deluxe caramel-mocha-pecan latte, he stared out the window of Caribou Cafe. “You’re hedging the ultimate question.” “I don’t honestly know!” I tossed my napkin at him. “You’re pissing me off.” Catching the eye of a cute ginger-haired man on the sidewalk outside, Stash flashed his deadliest smile, and the poor schmuck smacked into a mink-swathed bison of a woman. She teetered ...

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“Felt Like You Really Needed One” by Jourdain Black

Submitted to Contest #173

My vision starts misty and groggy; my focus fine-tuning with every blink. I’m on the couch, I’m still wearing jeans, what time is it, how much time have I lost now–? …I’m covered in Isaac’s weighted blanket. That asshole. He’s always insistent that I get a “good night’s sleep” upon coming home and taking a warm bath, like such a thing even exists in my line of work. I get it though, I do. Appreciate it. Still. My phone is face up, charging, and plugged into the nearby power strip. I reach over to grab it, but the blanket roughly roll...

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“Museum De Phantasia” by Caleb Kuether

Submitted to Contest #173

Museum De Phantasia You know, like West World but without all the death and risk. Without the hassle of trekking out into a deserted wasteland propped up by cardboard city structures. In a tall skyscraper, eleven stories high. Each floor with its own theme. You know this. It’s very infamous.I don’t know it.You know, like a theme park, but real-life.Not all that special then.You’re not understanding.Let me explain it, Dorothea. Horace and I have actually been there.Oh that was one hell of a time. Thanks for reminding me.Oh quiet, Horace,...

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“Todd vs The Book” by John Lindquist

Submitted to Contest #173

Christmas morning hasn’t been as magical as I remember it from my childhood. At least not until this morning. As I look out the front window, there’s fluffy snow calmly settling on the leafless branches across the street. Even the egg nog I dribbled all over my sweater can’t ruin this moment of bliss. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is playing in the background, the perfect song for the moment. “Todd,” says my mother from across the room. “Time to open presents.” Even in my 30’s, my parents still spoil me. And now they even spoil my gir...

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“THE LINE” by Les Clark

Submitted to Contest #173

THE LINE By Les Clark Cashier Emeritus, Amanada Forrester (she of the Silver Service recipient at Barnaby, Smythe and Okstein) looked up briefly. She had been scanning an unending sea of bar-coded tags all twisted with themselves from a mountain of children’s clothing high enough to block her vision of the impatient toe-tapping line yet to cross her register’s path. They’ll never make it on that dancing show. ...

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“Another Register” by Sharon Catlett

Submitted to Contest #173

She bulleted through the mall entrance just past the old cooking oil stench of King Burger. Their cleaning crew tried to cover the smell but instead created a new aroma of old oil a la Pinesol. Vanessa hated parking on this side of the Fairview Mall as it always meant she had to pass the last place she was fired from. But she was almost late (again) to her new job and this was the quickest path to it! She was determined to make this fourth week at Marianne’s Dress Shop a good one You see this was her thir...

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$250

Prize money

168

Contest entries

79

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Nov 25, 2022 EST

Won by Jacob Brown 🏆

Title: How to Return a Book Titled "How to Improve Your Writing in Five Easy Steps" in Five Easy Steps

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!

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