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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#19: Talking Shop

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be behind us, there are still weeks of shopping ahead as many of us gear up for Christmas.

While Hallmark holiday movies might have us believe that holiday shopping is a relaxed and cheerful activity that involves dipping into quaint shops with a hot chocolate in one hand and a bag of goodies in the other — we know the truth. Often, holiday shopping is a chaotic, several hour-long excursion through a packed mall, where you down cups of coffee just to keep yourself going. Or maybe you prefer to shop online, from the serene comfort of your couch. Finally, perhaps you avoid the whole thing altogether, because, like the Grinch, you know that "Christmas doesn't come from a store."

Whatever the case, it's clear that shopping can conjure up a range of emotions in different people. And your challenge this week is to capture those very emotions in a short story about... shopping!

This week's prompts

Write a short story about someone in the middle of a very long and busy retail shift.

Funny – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone searching for the perfect gift for their partner.

Romance – 60 stories

Write a short story about someone watching a convincing infomercial.

Funny – 20 stories

Write a short story about a shop that takes place over a span of years.

Narrative – 41 stories

Write a short story about someone based on their shopping list.

Character – 49 stories

Stories

“Grandma's Cheesecake” by Paige Duffy

Submitted to Contest #19

Graham Crackers, crumbed Butter, melted Sugar SaltCream CheeseSugarSour CreamVanilla Eggs (three)The fluorescents overhead buzz. I picture a thousand bees raging, beating against the thin, frosted plastic, begging to be free. They would storm the metal-shelf lined aisles, tearing apart packages to get to the sweets within, and terrorising the people pushing carts, the bees angry they should be locked away from such precious and plentiful treats while we come and go with ease.An older woman catches my eye as she walks by, pushing a walk...

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“Dream Girl ” by Kodi Gora

Submitted to Contest #19

Dream Girl She made her way across the parking lot and I sat stunned. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and there she was, making her way quickly towards my car. Should I try to act cool and accidentally bump into her? Maybe say hi and pretend like I recognized her from somewhere. Or I’ll just do what I always do, sit quietly and let her go on her way, without the threat of embarrassment when she rejects me. She struggled to get into her car, with multiple bags in one hand and her purse in the other. As she reach...

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“Christmas Wish List” by Tonya Davis

Submitted to Contest #19

Stephanie stepped into the mall, lights twinkling from the rafters, and the smell of cinnamon drifted in the air. With just a few days to go until Christmas Eve, she walked swiftly to the Book Store. She was late getting her dad's Christmas gift, and the thought of searching for a book he hadn't read bewildered her. Stephanie picked up an iced coffee from the barista and strolled down the aisles. She perused for thirty minutes before narrowing her choices down to two.As she flipped open one of her choices, she noticed a piece of paper o...

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“Happy Birthday, Honey” by Aubrianna Brown

Submitted to Contest #19

The store was the first place I drove to on my own when he moved us here. A small little shop at the end of a new town. All I needed were a stuffed elephant, a funny card, Calvin Klein cologne a special lamp: pre-ordered online, and some lipstick. Quick. In and out. No problem. I knew where everything was. This store held many memories of us together, and more memories of when I had my own credit card and didn’t have to ask permission to spend my own money. I would only be here briefly before coming home to celebrate.The stuffed elepha...

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“Spontaneous Happenings In A Seeming Ordinary Run-Down World” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #19

John sat in his car with a copy of Conversations with God for teens and a blank stack of papers and a pen. John was by no means a teenager, but since coming upon the Conversations with God Series, he found that any kernels of wisdom from those books would pop new ideas paradigms in his mind to better serve him well. Before writing his list, he looked at his pen and thought to himself, “A pen, this little instrument could be used to help enrich and potentially bring out joy and balance in lives, or it can be used to help feed into...

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“Blind Date” by Mike Olsen

Submitted to Contest #19

“I don’t even know what I am looking at, let alone how long I've been looking at it,” Myles explained on the phone, hoping to get some motivation or at least some inspiration to keep going. He had been wandering the mall for the last four hours looking desperately for that right gift. With less than an hour before needing to produce a gift, he was more at a loss than when he started looking four hours ago. Calling his roommate was his last resort, but desperation makes people do desperate things. “Just go get a box of chocolates an...

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“Kevin's Perfect Gift” by Laurie Nave

Submitted to Contest #19

They agreed on a $200 spending limit. It was one of the most generous limits Julie and Kevin had imposed in their 15 year marriage. Julie was determined to spend it well. And it was time to begin shopping - today. Otherwise, she wouldn't be done by Christmas.“Good to see you again, Mrs. Dillard,” Joey, the Publix cashier interrupted her thoughts.“You too Joey. Are you done with exams?”“Yes ma'am. I got all A's.”“That's great! See, I told you chemistry wouldn't ruin your GPA.”Joey smiled as he scanned groceries. “Thanks, Mrs. D. That's $47.08...

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“Surprise, Surprise Christmas!” by Daniel Kelly

Submitted to Contest #19

What to do? Oh what to do? Christmas is coming, and I have nothing for my spouse! Not for the lack of trying; I’ve been trying to get this done for over a month! Alright… time to take stock of things, one more time. I am in the middle of my local downtown, where most of the local shops are located. Trying to get an idea of what she could want. Being a responsible adult, I give her a comprehensive list of my likes, dislikes, and what I have my eye on this year. When I ask for a ...

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“The Christmas Dilemma” by Paige Kostyniuk

Submitted to Contest #19

Christmas is just around the corner and gift-giving is upon us once more. The great gift-giving dilemma has always been one of my terrible faults. I usually do the best match in someone’s character to tell what type of gift to give someone. If they loved animals or if they were a nature lover, or they loved to travel, then buying them something wasn’t going to be so hard. It usually helps if you know that person too. I know from the experience that I can’t buy a gift for a stranger. Unless I had some kind of background informa...

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“A Special Gift for A Special Someone” by Imani Stephens

Submitted to Contest #19

It is two weeks before Christmas and Mark ants to surprise his wife Naomi with the perfect Christmas gift. Mark was at work, while Naomi was at home with her babies. Mark and Naomi have been married for six years. Mark knows Naomi loves jewelry especially rings. She loves rings especially diamond, emerald, sapphire or ruby. He also knows she is a very hardworking mother and wife. Before she was pregnant, she worked from six in the morning and came home at ten at night. She was a nurse working so many hours day in and day out. Now, she is on ...

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“The Seeker” by Rozwin Liera

Submitted to Contest #19

The attractive object was lying on the shiny glass counter. It was the first item Jack’s hazel eyes lit on as he came into the antique store. He put its fine gossamer through his fingers. The 5 senses. That is what she was about. But no. Nice texture, but where would she wear a veil? He stepped back. Glanced at the other customers in the store. Did they know what they came in here to buy? Unlike him, for this was his fourth store today. There had to be something. He conjured up L...

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“The Wait ” by Dezeray Smith

Submitted to Contest #19

Waiting in line at the super-Market I reach over to grab a KitKat bar and I suddenly felt a hand touch mine. Slowly turning around I noticed a man with blonde hair and blue eyes, a slight golden blonde beard that was freshly cut and trimed. He was just reaching back to grab the same candy bar but he wasn't paying attention. "Sorry," he says. I said your fine with a huge smile on ...

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“Perfection Immaterial” by Hadia Abbas

Submitted to Contest #19

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero.Nothing in the whole wide city that was perfect.‘Why?’ Risa wailed silently, letting her hands clench at her sides with a helplessness she seldom felt (and thus now felt a thousandfold). “May I help you, ma’am?” A heavy-set voice asked, and Risa looked up from the slowly blurring floor to see a slender bodied man with black hair raise his eyebrows at her. He was wearing the official uniform for the Udoku Inc. company outlet, and his hands were professionally folded at his back. The nam...

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“A Perfect Gift For You” by Michell Conroy

Submitted to Contest #19

The engine of her hand-me-down SUV went silent as she cranked the ignition to the off position and removed the key with a deep sigh. The holiday season had vomited all over the shopping mall parking lot so she knew the inside would be twice as bad. Elbowing the door open, she slid out into the chill, afternoon air, tugging her coat tight around her. She cursed the cold along with the squeaky car door she had to slam three times before it latched and scurried inside the building.Jingle Bell Rock and the smell ...

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“THE PERFECT GIFT FOR HIM!” by Eunice Ndoh

Submitted to Contest #19

For the umpteenth time, I scanned the rows of shelves of the men’s section in the city mall. I still had not found the perfect gift for him. I wanted something that would always remind him of me no matter where we both were and I also wanted something that would bring memories of our relationship. It was our first anniversary and I really wanted to give him something to tell him how amazing he had been for the past twelve months I had spent with him. I picked up a perfume and kept it back almost at the same time. Jack already had a lot ...

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$50

Prize money

211

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 13, 2019 EST

Won by Kelsey Marlett 🏆

Title: Man-Eater

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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