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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

“Snowball” by Marija Rozman

Submitted to Contest #173

It is Christmas Eve, a time when children are excited about presents and slightly bigger meal they will get tomorrow, however, for me, it brings realization that I don't have a home. I would love to say I am a 5 year old girl with eyes that sparkle and hair put in braids with little bows, that sits in silence and plays with doll house. That would be a recipe to get out of here, little and beautiful children always leave first. With my 14 years, I am the oldest one here. This place is my only memory since my mother left me in front of the orp...

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“PENDANT'S KNOT” by Mary Ndirangu

Submitted to Contest #173

I can barely recognize myself in the mirror. The deep scars on my once beautiful face are only what I see. Nothing more but a scarred soul, staring at its imperfect reflection. I fear that he will come back to finish what he started, like waiting for a nightmare that will never end, all over again. It was nine months ago but I can still feel his icy hands choking my neck, taste his foul breath beneath my tongue and his distant voice keeps me awake every night. He haunts me as a ghost haunts its flesh, its demons. But he is in prison still. S...

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“All the Colours of the Sunset” by Arvin Tavakkoli

Submitted to Contest #173

We touched palms and fingertips, her skin was soft, her hand was warm. She told me she was scared, worried, tears dropped down her soft round face; the wet peach fuzz reflected the sunlight. We played as kids, running around the streets; chasing each other up and down the hills. We played until we got too old.She trusted me. Her hands had symmetrical contours, red nail polish. She always had a purple dress on, repaired and worn out in some parts. We often went to the masjed to play by the blue hexagonal howz. Villagers were praying...

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“Secret Santa Crush” by Caitlyn Cline

Submitted to Contest #173

Ted knocks his hand on my desk. “Hey Sharon! See you later tonight at the Christmas party!”I look away from him, hoping he won’t see the blush rising on my cheeks. He’s standing so close. “Yeah see you tonight!” I’d completely forgotten about it with all the deadlines I’d been so focused on. “It’s a white elephant gift exchange, right?”He laughs, and I turn to see his green eyes and wide, friendly face. “No. You chose your secret Santa person, remember? I’m really excited for mine.”I nod, nerves taking over my words. “Right, of course. I cho...

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“You're My Favourite Nephew” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #173

“You’re my favourite nephew.” “I’ll bet you say that to all of your nephews.” “You know that you are my only nephew.” “So it’s not a compliment then?” “It is. I would still say that if I had as many nephews as you have sisters and female cousins. I can see that she is happy to see me, but there is more to her face than that happiness. As I look around the living room I feel that it is filled with emptiness. And that emptiness can be best seen in the cage w...

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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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“A Gift from Gramma” by DEBORAH CLARK

Submitted to Contest #173

My gramma’s hair is no longer blonde and thick with curls. Instead, it is soft, thin and so gray, it is almost colorless. Her skin has lost all elasticity and is fragile like tissue paper and that tears easily. The flesh around her face has sunken and makes her clouded eyes appear larger than normal. Her nails are natural, long, and filed perfectly, by my mom, her daughter-in-law. My gramma looks shrunken and small in the large hospital bed, her eyes are closed, her breath is raspy, and her mind goes wandering. ...

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“Gift Exchange” by Crystal Gamet

Submitted to Contest #173

The house was full of excitement as the sound of paper ripped and flew in the air. Each of my family unwrapped gifts that were being passed out to each of us. Looking at my mom, dad, and aunt's face made me laugh. They would look at each gave as they open up the most unwanted gift. Mom opened a back scratcher from my aunt. My mom studied it with a half smile. “Thank you sissy I love it.” Mom said, “You welcome sissy I knew that you would.” My aunt responded back. This is why I give a Christmas list to each person that is shoppin...

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“Secret Santa ” by Simone Sherron

Submitted to Contest #173

“Another office meeting,” I thought to myself trying to gulf down my coffee which I irresistibly detested however after stealing my roommates assortment of Keurigs since she moved in I ought to be contented with the little gifts.“I am glad that you two could make it,” our boss Pete stood in the center of the break room with his arms wide directing us to a seat. I sighed making myself comfortable near the bathroom so I could easily slip away. “As you know,” Pete’s creepy mustache moved every time he spoke. He really resembled a trailer p...

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“Emotional ripoff” by Blessed Chileka

Submitted to Contest #173

The ripped wrapping paper stares at me unanimously. The glowing dress seems to be gloating at me. The scattered gift card and money seems to be smirking at me. What is getting on my nerves is that dress. Not only is it body shaming me, but it is speaking out his language. If that is what you want sister, I can passionately speak back to you as well. I dumped you in the trash can. Why did my roommates think it's such a noble thing to return you back to my bed? Maybe if I had ripped off my name, would you have been in another person's han...

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“No Returns, No Exceptions” by Jacky Burke

Submitted to Contest #173

Christopher checked the drawer again. It was the first time in his life that he felt like he had gotten the exact right gift for a girlfriend. He had watched for clues for what Jessica would like for months. He asked her, of course, but she would always say she didn’t really know what she wanted, and that he didn’t have to get her anything, really, because she just wanted to spend time with him. Sure. He watched her reactions to holiday sale commercials. He chatted up her friends. He checked her closet to see what color was most commo...

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“Thoughtful or malicious?” by Martin Schray

Submitted to Contest #173

When Courtney opened Great Aunt Crystal’s Christmas present, she was confused. Inside the box was a porcelain doll with straight black hair, eerily white and cold skin, and an ugly old-fashioned dress with massive, cracked buttons. Courtney was twenty-seven and had never shown any interest in toy collecting. Sure, Great Aunt Crystal’s mind was probably not in the best condition, but anyone would know this choice of gift made absolutely no sense. The doll itself seemed be aware of this too, as it’s large and lifeless glass eyes stared vacantl...

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“Holiday at the Winery” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #173

Like a lot of folks around the holidays, Mary loved to watch the classic holiday movies from It’s a Wonderful Life to Miracle on 34th Street to Home Alone and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. She always related to the well-known scene in Christmas Vacation and the exchange between Clark Griswold and Mary—the department store sales assistant/cashier. She found humor in the scene because she also worked as a cashier and sales assistant in a small village holiday store albeit they didn’t sell lingerie. Mary was on the later side of her ...

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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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