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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#178: Happy Holidays

It's that time of year again! Whether you're observing a particular holiday, or simply raising a glass to making it through another year in one piece, December is a time for reflection, celebration, and taking stock. This week's prompts are, naturally, a nod to the season — and all the fun it can bring!

As much as we love the holidays, they can also be a difficult time for many; so no matter how you're celebrating this year, we hope that these prompts can provide you with a little festive escapism. Happy holidays, writers!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a family (biological or found) coming together for Christmas.

Christmas – 44 stories

Write a story that takes place over the eight nights of Hannukah.

Holiday – 5 stories

Set your story at a work holiday party,

Holiday – 35 stories

Write about a cynical character realizing they do have something to celebrate after all.

Character – 47 stories

Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition.

Holiday – 51 stories

Stories

“ The Santa‐Claus Scandal” by Yasmeen Owens

Submitted to Contest #178

It is the night of Christmas Eve, and my family and I gather in the living room, where the walls are adorned with Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree in the corner of the room, with the glass angel as the tree topper. I’m watching the classic holiday movie, Santa Claus, featuring Tim Allen (a film that I have watched at least thirty-six times). I was around ten-year-old. My family members are sitting on the couch, telling stories. I feel a presence beside me. I look up and see my cousin Evan sitting on my left side as I rest on the th...

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“Once Upon a Christmas Eve” by Leonard Eckhaus

Submitted to Contest #178

Once upon a Christmas eve, Strangers came together. And sharing in each other’s dreams, Their lives were changed forever. Once Upon A Christmas Eve This is based on a true story about how my wife Linda and I, along with two complete strangers, each with their own compelling need to get home to their families for Christmas, shared in a bit of magic, an enchanted moment, all on a Christmas eve many years ago. There is a Yiddush word, Bashert, meaning destiny, as in God’s will, or ‘meant to be’. And for these strangers, two Jewish, tw...

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“A Christmas Wish...” by Simone Lilly

Submitted to Contest #178

It was a beautiful fall afternoon in Baltimore, and Shy, a registered nurse, had the day off. She loved living here, and so close to the park too, especially during this time of the year when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. As she reflected, she sat down on a bench in the park, thinking about her family back home. Shy, newly married missed her family dearly, she hadn’t seen them in two years. Shortly after she had graduated, she had gotten a job offer that she just could not resist. So, after...

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“A Forest Green Christmas” by Kiernan Souto

Submitted to Contest #178

Lena Anderson lived along the Hudson River, not too far outside Westchester County. Late Autumn was her favorite time of year when the ambient yellows and oranges turned to deep citrus. It was the transition from holiday to holiday. The city was hustling and flamboyant, which is partly why she left for quieter countryside. Snow had already fallen at least twice this week and another storm wasn’t too far off. A knock on the door awoke Lena from her sleep. She opened her eyes to her wrinkled white comforter and her chocolate lab Milo perche...

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“WHAT COULD GO WRONG AT A YANKEE SWAP?” by Les Clark

Submitted to Contest #178

Les Clark &nbs...

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“Santa Claus is Coming to the Party” by Sarah Goodner

Submitted to Contest #178

Alex and I were messing up my makeup and hair in the guest bedroom where all the coats and purses were being stashed. We’d locked the door, but no one had tried to get in within the last fifteen minutes. This was a good thing because my bra had just come off. Outside the guest room, the company Christmas party was in full swing. Music was playing at a high decibel, and people were laughing over the sound of Mariah Carey singing about all she wanted for Christmas. Realtors might be some of the laziest self-employed people on the face of the...

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“The art studio during Christmas. ” by Kelsey Zimmerman

Submitted to Contest #178

I finished sewing my latest suit to be sent to my friends in Italy. We've been working on this together for a while so I hope it’s a hit. I brought it over to my work desk where I had the bag for it layed out. Zipping it all the way up to the hanger, I picked it up from the table and went to drop it off at our mailing services. On the way there my boss, Jennine stopped me, “Hey you’re coming to the meeting after work in the conference room right?” She asked as she seemed ecstatic. “For what?” I asked, I didn’t remember hearing about a meeti...

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“Razzle dazzle: party time!” by Robert Radcliff

Submitted to Contest #178

I'm standing outside a gloomy, unsettling structure and I find hard to believe that anyone can live or even work at this place.It is situated in a quiet but filthy lane and the building is tall and crumbling. The poorest of a long line of slum edifices used as trading quarters, as is this one.Possibly there are also squatters living in this area or something worse. The locale appears unclean and dead.So, I'm not sure if I'm at the right spot.My company's client recently called and invited me to a work party that they are hosting in this buil...

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“Christmas Bonus” by Josh T

Submitted to Contest #178

Howard loathed the buildup that the end of the year brought with it. The jolly “Merry Christmas” greetings from strangers, the decorations and smells that took over all the stores, he even despised the Christmas tree sellers who seemed to invade every empty lot in the small town where he lived. For him, every peppermint latte and brightly colored bulb flooded his mind with memories of his wife, Anna. Memories that stung so much he wanted nothing to do with the holidays.He could usually avoid most of the holiday cheer. He would stock up on fo...

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“Rejection” by Hope Linter

Submitted to Contest #178

Jessica tugged at the green taffeta dress, she’d gotten from the consignmet shop on East Broadway. Last week she’d fallen in love with how it fit and looked on her. Her coworkers had tranformed the bland hotel meeting room in a Christmas party zone. She scanned the room for Thom. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t have bothered to get a newish dress, or even come. There he was over by the planter, his back to her. With his height, his suit looked perfect on his broad shoulders. Why was he talking to Lydia, who only ever worked night s...

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“The Janitors’ Holiday Party ” by Cindy Strube

Submitted to Contest #178

CW: Gore and mentions of death in the context of natureThe Janitors’ Holiday Party “Party time!” Cousin Ludwig grunts, landing with an awkward hop. “We have secured the venue!”Work holiday parties are just that, in our profession: work, right along with the holiday partying. The time and the venue are always a last-minute surprise. It keeps life interesting.For us, the party—and the work—starts when it’s over for someone else. We’re the cleanup crew. The janitors, if you will. “Ready, everyone?” Ludwig is eager to get us there whil...

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“Father Christmas” by Stella M

Submitted to Contest #178

Matthew had never really been too excited for the holidays. From a young age, Matthew had been aware of the gimmicks of the festive season and the predatory nature of the major companies (who were all owned by one major company with one goal, anyway, as his parents had taught him). “Those toys are a total waste of time and money,” his parents had always told him, and growing up in a recession, he had believed that they had been right. He never needed expensive, fancy toys, and he had just as much fun reading, or playing wit...

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“Celebrating Brendan” by Robert Halksworth

Submitted to Contest #178

I’ve always hated it, I always will and there’s nothing anyone’s going to be able to do about that.And by the way, consider that I know how this story ends and that’s still the line I’ve chosen to lead off with. So if you’re looking for redemption or some kind of Scrooge-tastic epiphany, off you pop. I’m going to conclude a few pages hence as unredeemed as ever and unapologetically so.It’s not because I had a terrible childhood, or because a parent left the rest of the family on Christmas Eve, or that a faulty set of Christmas tree lights se...

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“Long time coming” by Jennifer Buiswalelo

Submitted to Contest #178

“One more, I can’t believe this is the last one. I made it!” I hold the dress up and give it a last look over before I put it on. I take a few steps back until my entire dress is visible. I do a little twirl and smile. “What do you think? Now that I’m here and actually have it on it feels like it’s a little too dressed up for Christmas dinner.” He leans forward slightly, squints and tilts his head to the side. “I still love it.” He smiles. “Thank you, let me get out there before they start looking for me.” He blows me one kiss with each ...

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“Thought Sensitive ” by Mike Stanthom

Submitted to Contest #178

CW: ProfanitySam was at the opposite end of having fun. The celebratory laughter and conversations of his co-workers in various areas of the room, combined with the festive holiday music, formed a concoction that only worsened his already foul mood. It had been a long time since he had felt there was anything worth celebrating. Especially Christmas.The Firm’s no-expense spared annual Christmas party was in full swing. The room was adorned with festive white lights and colorfully decorated large Christmas trees in the four corners of the mass...

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$250

Prize money

182

Contest entries

62

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 30, 2022 EST

Won by Molly Kelash 🏆

Title: Marie Antoinette

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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