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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#229: Mistletoe and Meet-Cutes

As someone who loves getting in the festive mood once winter arrives, you’ll likely find me curled up on my couch on cold December nights — with a cheesy holiday film on the go. What can I say? There’s just something about so-bad-they’re-actually-good movies that I can’t get enough of this time of the year (much to my family’s dismay).

This week, let’s pull out all the stops and write stories that play with the common tropes in popular holiday films, from secret royals and sudden cases of amnesia, to disastrous celebrations salvaged by some last-minute magic. Whether you lean in to the warm fuzzies in earnest, or subvert your trope entirely, is up to you...

This week's prompts

Write about a festive party gone wrong that’s saved by some holiday magic.

Holiday – 24 stories

Write a story in which a cynical character gets amnesia on Christmas Eve.

Christmas – 28 stories

Write about a character who visits their hometown for the holidays and reconnects with a former love interest.

Holiday – 65 stories

Start or end your story with a character finding out the love of their life is actually royalty.

Romance – 19 stories

Write a story in which a character is stuck reliving their worst Christmas ever, over and over again.

Christmas – 35 stories

Stories

“The Commune” by Kelita Sim

Submitted to Contest #229

These days, I avoid drama, crowds, and confrontation. I avoid them like the plague.Because here, drama, crowds and confrontation only ever lead to either a fight or what I call a “rush”.All lead to injury. And I’m terrified of being injured - again.The last and only time I was injured was the worst time of my life. The injury itself and the memory of what happened before and after still haunts me. I’m terrified that if I get caught up in another rush or brawl, and get hurt again, I’ll have to relive that day over. It’ll kill me. It’s only a ...

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“Opposites Attract” by PJ Town

Submitted to Contest #229

Opposites attract, they say, don’t they? Well, you couldn’t get much more opposite than Frances and Frederick.Frances – or Franny, as her friends and family called her – was a quiet young thing. Her parents tried to get her to be more outgoing, but nope – that was her way. And because she was quiet and kept to herself, she missed lots of chances to enter into relationships; all the available eligible bachelors around about found partners that were much easier to engage with than her.If the truth be told, though, it wasn’t simply a case ...

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“Amelia's Tree” by Tori Winterrose

Submitted to Contest #229

“Everyone, sit down!” Mrs. Thomas yelled while waving her arms around like she was ready to lift up and out of the 3rd grade classroom. Mrs. Thomas didn’t know where things went wrong. It may have been when she stepped in a pile of scattered cat litter on her kitchen floor this morning (barefoot) while desperately trying to locate her car keys, or when she seemed to hit every red light between her house and the elementary school, or when she arrived at the parking lot only to find that someone had double parked in her favorite parkin...

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“Prince Elderaine and His Roses” by Kate Leanne

Submitted to Contest #229

Once upon a time long passed, there was a beautiful kingdom known as Laide. And in that particular little country, there lived twin princes; sons of the much loved King Harold. The twins were born of different natures; one who was kind, pensive, yet entitled, the other being arrogant, rash, and headstrong. Their names were Andrew (the latter) and Elderaine (the former). The two boys were blessed with handsome features and able minds, and while Andrew was a master of fencing and combat, Elderaine never failed trumping him at interpreting lett...

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“The Island” by Kathleen Capacci

Submitted to Contest #229

The Island“Damn it! Mom, be careful!”My back was turned for only a minute, and my 80-year-old mother just had to sneak over and eat the cake batter, knocking the ceramic bowl off the counter and breaking it. Ceramic shards and batter splashed everywhere, of course.“Back up, Mom, I’ll clean it up.”“Honey, I can do it.”“No, Mom, you’re barefoot.” I tersely replied.In fact, mother was still in her nightgown, despite my encouraging her to get dressed all morning. Damn early dementia! I threw down the dustpan and started sweeping. This is why I’m...

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“The Secret Princess” by Abby Nanus

Submitted to Contest #229

"Hej (hi), Benny, I have a secret to tell you!" my girlfriend eagerly whispered into my ear, hoping to snag my attention. It was 12/16/2023, my 25th birthday (which I do happen to share with a somewhat-similarly named member of ABBA, just wanted to let you all know that), and so far it had been going quite well, with the exception of a balloon loudly bursting and almost making me cry due to my sensitive ears. (It didn't.) "Sigh. Astrid, can you please tell me your secret?" "Nej (no), but I shall give you a hint: it relates to my Swed...

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“It's Over - Over and Over Again” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #229

He sat back in his Lazy Boy chair listening to the crackle of the fire. He closed his eyes thinking, “Damn, life is good.” In a few hours the kids would be arriving for Christmas dinner, the first time the gang was all together in what felt like forever. Click, click, click in walked Marilyn all dressed and ready for the festivities. She looked … well, she looked spectacular. “Honey, is that a new dress? I don’t remember seeing that one before?” He asked, looking at her appreciatively. She sta...

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“The Assassin's Choice” by L.G. Basallote

Submitted to Contest #229

Choosing whether to plunge a dagger into your wife’s heart is never an easy decision. Especially when you were kissing passionately just this morning. But that was the situation Kalaw found himself in. Funny what finding out your wife is royalty can do to an assassin. Kalaw watched the other faces in the tavern. A futile action to distract his mind from what he must do. But it has also become second nature for him to observe. It was a full house tonight, mostly ordinary townsfolk unwinding after a day of work. Few looked strong enough t...

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“Winter's Gift” by Marc Wilks

Submitted to Contest #229

The office was in absolute chaos. People ran in all directions, trying to complete weeks of work in two days. Not only that, but the mother of all snowstorms would be overhead in less than twelve hours. “I should have left yesterday,” Alex Nelson said to himself. “But no, I had to be nice and help settle the Stafford account.” Alex shook his head and concentrated on finishing the last of his correspondence before leaving the office. He glanced out his office window and saw that the sky was still a non-threatening bluish-gray. At ...

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“Flickering Lights” by Chelsea Kennedy

Submitted to Contest #229

Claire scowled as she bustled down the busy street. It was Christmas Eve, and every store window was alight with candles and cheery decorations. Why people were still out shopping she’d never know. After all, if they’d just go home, she could close up shop and finally be done for the season. Until the after Christmas sales, at least. Grumbling to herself, Claire pulled her scarf closer around her face. She shouldn’t complain so much. The more people spent while out shopping, the more money she made. Owning a shop downtown during Christmas...

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“Assault on Workshop 13” by Craig Scott

Submitted to Contest #229

“Three hundred and sixty-four days worked, to one day off!”…Mergle hadn’t known he was going to speak until he already was, his voice broken and hot as he stood upon the crate. He had yet to articulate within himself the reasons that prompted him to action, yet he knew they were informed by a long dormant rage which moved internally like a geologic force. Tears welled in his eyes and slid down his green face. Yes, rage. That all-consuming fire that burnt low and idle in the soul until some catalyst set it loose in a torrent that engulfed all...

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“The Santa Hat” by Sophie Lieth

Submitted to Contest #229

Dan was really regretting wearing a Santa hat to work. Most of his colleagues had smiled upon seeing it. Chief Collie had even complimented him on it, and she was a notorious grouch. Feeling adequately whimsical and jolly for the twenty-third of December, Dan slung his bag over the back of his chair at the desk he shared with his partner. “You know there’s a dress code, don’t you?” Detective Liu said without looking up from his computer. This reaction wasn’t entirely unexpected, but put a damper on Dan’s good mood anyway. “I’m aware, yes....

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“All Thanks to a Curse:” by Flopsy The Bun

Submitted to Contest #229

The morning was bright and cheery as I strolled through the forest. I listened to the birds sing, and the gentle breeze swept my hair. It seemed so peaceful, like a fantasy, until a heartbreaking noise filled the air. I twirled around, and I saw before me a wounded deer with his muscular legs trapped in a snare. The hunters were at work again before the threat of winter took over. I ran to the poor creature and continued to untangle the trap that he was stuck in. Not one second after I got him free, he stood up. On his hind legs! To my to...

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“Merry Christmas Go Round” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #229

Andy wears an expression of puzzlement, but he doesn’t know what to do with it. Shifting it seems like the best option, but it’s a stubborn stain that will take more than a light touch. Doing something tangible is the only way as far as Andy is concerned, he expresses himself with his physicality, and so he propels himself forth and walks through the open gate to the front door, knocking on it before he registers that this was what he was going to do. Using the knocker is complicated by the green border of a Christmas wreath. His han...

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“Secret Royal” by Emily Benson

Submitted to Contest #229

“I’m sorry, what?” I stare at Hugo, the love of my life, the man of my dreams. He’s staring back at me with a mixture of patience and anxiety, making my pulse race a little faster. “I’m going to need you to repeat yourself, Hugo,” I say quietly, choosing to believe that what he just told me is a joke. He reaches over the table and grabs my hand, turning it over and rubbing his thumb over my palm. Taking a deep breath, he looks me right in the eye and says, “I need to go home for my coronation in a few weeks.”&...

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$250

Prize money

171

Contest entries

64

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 22, 2023 EST

Won by Aaron Chin 🏆

Title: The Gingerbread Cookies

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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