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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

“Sweet Tooth” by Phillip Norman

Submitted to Contest #178

Sweet Tooth by Phillip Norman Lights out, with a belt looped around his neck and tied to the closet rod behind his head, Ervin thumbs along his cellphone screen to find the picture of mom sitting in “Willie’s Corner” at Texas Roadhouse. Willie like Nelson. He’d taken the photo at her birthday party last week. The table where they sat was plastered with old album covers and tour photos, tucked way at the back of the dining room. Must be where they always stick the liberals. It’s freezing in his room tonight. Dead of Colorado winter and he...

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“Auld Lang Syne” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #178

As New Year’s Eve approached Wilson felt he had little to look forward to–another boring party with inane gossip, too-loud music and guests robotically rattling off resolutions they knew they had no intention of keeping. For the past three years the software salesman’s annual turning-of-the-calendar-page ritual had been brightened by the appearance of the stunningly beautiful and intelligent blonde lady. Aside from her tantalizing appearance and aura, she actually engaged seve...

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“It's that Time of Year Again.” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #178

Two Young Men With Questions Two young men, who look like and in fact are brothers, are sitting in a bar drinking beer the afternoon before Christmas day. They have been quiet for most of their time there, but it is now time for both of them to speak out about what was definitely on both of their minds. They had to make a decision. “Well, it’s that time of year again. Are you ready for the ‘Big Ev...

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“The Name of the Game IS the Twist!” by David Drake

Submitted to Contest #178

*Disclaimer-There is some hints of romantic involvement toward the end, but I kept it "clean"*The Name of the Game IS the Twist!A harshly whispered “Shhhhh” and the accompanying index finger to duck lips was all Harold got for this Christmas Eve night. For now. Harold wanted to be excited. This was, after all, his first outing with his uncle and father this year. They were excited as were his sister, his cousins too. They were jealous and proud both. Just his mother, some of the aunts held onto the antiquated belief that they should celebrat...

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“A Permanent Center of Gravity” by Wil Montgomery

Submitted to Contest #178

The only major trigger is potential—but didn't happen—animal abuse of a rat. Other than that, it's pretty much fanfiction if the fanfiction was about two (fairly) unknown (in terms of backstory) characters in the public domain. The sky hung the stars joyously, reflecting the laughter from the Earth’s surface; the Venetian streets cracked and quiet, listening to the drunken singing of a revered, young lover. So, too, did each citizen—young and old, rich and poor, living and dead—all enamored by a previously foreign boy—now a welcomed man—as...

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“Hanukkah Wands” by N T Galilei

Submitted to Contest #178

“Cut!” shouted the director, “That’s a wrap.” I jumped out of my seat, running towards my trailer. As I rushed through the set, crew members wished me a merry christmas, to which I replied hastily. The director of this film was an uptight bugger, so obsessed with timetables that he scheduled a shooting for the morning of Christmas eve. So this morning I was on set at 4AM along with the rest of the crew, praying we don’t go overtime. I grabbed my sunglasses and car keys from the trailer, running into my personal assistant Ni...

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“The promise” by Andrea Murray

Submitted to Contest #178

Anton woke up to a chilly but beautiful winters Christmas day and lay in bed mentally preparing himself for the day. At 09h00 exactly Mrs Watson knocked on the door, enter he called out and the door opened and in came a rather plump, rosy cheeked Lady wearing an very bright Christmas apron carrying a breakfast tray. Morning Mr T she said setting the tray down on the coffee table in front of the fire. I hope you slept well she asked while pulling back the curtains, I never slept a wink, another wasted Christmas with that ungrateful bunch you ...

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“IT NEVER GETS OLD” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #178

We had the best of times growing up and living in a small town. Everyone knew the part of town we were in as it had its own nickname, out in the sticks, back woods or la - la land. The woods, trails and ponds here there and everywhere, were our playground - always. Everyone's yard was fair game for the next game. Looking back, we merrily went down Memory Lane remembering the most fun times and unique moments before Christmas and more so during and into vacation time off from school This one came first. RUDOLF - You know Dasher an...

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“A Very Old Christmas Carol – A Holiday Tale” by J.C. Vayda

Submitted to Contest #178

On the days leading up to Christmas, Lily, a sweet little ten-year-old girl, was sad. Though she ate and though she played, something was missing. That something was her beloved dog, Chimney. She loved Chimney. They were inseparable. That was until Chimney fell ill earlier that year and passed away at the age of two. Chimney’s third birthday would’ve been on Christmas Day. As a way to try and lift her spirit, Lily’s parents bought her a stuffed animal that looked just like Chimney. It had smooth brown fur, dark eyes, ears that flopped, and ...

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“Blood red roses” by Grace Kailing

Submitted to Contest #178

I kept my mind focused on the mysterious clouds that fogged over the bright, luminescent stars peeking through the sky. I gently lifted my eyelids, fighting the irresistible taste of sleep. The city bustled and moved. Everyone was hurriedly shopping and trying to buy a last-minute gift. They were all entranced in their own pathetic thoughts, not caring about the litter that plagued and cursed the streets, nor the homeless man about to sleep next to a giant corporate building in the middle of a bitter snowstorm. but I could see everything fro...

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“One Hundred Bites” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #178

Taking a noseful of that aroma as she puts the cup lips. The warmth courses through her veins; at this time of year it is a feeling that is akin to ecstasy. Still she mustn’t indulge too much, this paper wasn’t going to write itself. "Babe??" "Doran, I told you I need to concentrate… remember" "Yeah but babe-Yeah toothbrush?" "... Don't worry about it" "Babe I don't understand…" "I told you, it's a family thing… Okay?" "I-I-I guess so…" Walking up behind her, Doran places his hand on the table as he goes to kiss her cheek. She pays him n...

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“A typical Christmas eve” by Benjamin Okojie

Submitted to Contest #178

Right next to the bed, my water bottle sits patiently waiting for me. I let a quick sigh, as I recall what I’m missing before heading out. James glances at me, he can tell just from the sigh of my breath that I’m about o ask for something. My eyelids widen and my pupils expand, I’m putting on my best face. “What?” he dreadfully asks. “I left my water bottle upstairs” I reply. “ you mean this,” he says, as he pulls it out from his backpack. His light brown eyes meet mine, I can’t hold the smile back. It’s always the little things he doe...

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“Christmas Sweater” by Emilie Buchanan

Submitted to Contest #178

As I watched the snowfall on the ground, I reflected on some of my previous Christmases. Most were spent with people I barely knew since I'm in foster care. I have been in the system since I was three. Both of my parents died in a car accident, and I didn't have any other family besides them. My whole life has consisted of hopping from family to family. I don't mind, though; I don't need a family. I am perfectly fine on my own, and I have been for the past thirteen years. Last year's Christmas was a disaster. My foster dad slapped me across ...

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“FINALLY HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #178

This Christmas is going to be a very special Christmas. The entire Salinas clan will be at my home including a long-awaited family member, one we never knew existed until now. Recently I found a picture hiding among my mother's belongings. I recognized my mother and the reason why I recognized my mother is because I've seen many pictures of my mother as a child. The person next to my mother was a mystery. I asked my mother who the person in the picture is. She refused to answer me so did my grandmother. For days I looked at the picture a...

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“Christmas Without You” by Mikayah Parsons

Submitted to Contest #178

You can do this. I rub my hands together, generating heat. I let a long sigh drag out against them, convincing myself I need another minute to acclimate to the cold. The snow falls in fat, dissimilar flakes around myself and the beige-brown double-wide in front of me. Though the blinds are shut, light filters through all six windows of the house–I checked. As a matter of fact, I looked for every possible excuse not to make my way up the rickety porch steps and stand outside this door, with its chipped white paint exterior, on Christmas Eve.&...

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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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