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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#281: The Fright Before Christmas

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyHoliday to share your stories (and potentially get featured on our social accounts)!

With less than two weeks left until Christmas, I’ve been filling my days with cozy activities that are perfect for the festive season. While baking, caroling, and wrapping gifts are pretty standard for this time of the year, I also enjoy doing something a bit unexpected with my friends: holding creepy holiday movie marathons.

With that in mind, here are five prompts inspired by eerie holiday classics like Krampus and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Snuggle up with your thickest blanket and get started on a tale of regret, longing, love, horror, mystery — whatever you fancy! Good luck, and happy holidays to all those who celebrate!

This week's prompts

Write about a mysterious guest who arrives at a party — but no one knows who they are.

Dramatic – 60 stories

Start or end your story with someone receiving a strange — and possibly sinister — gift.

Dramatic – 54 stories

Write a story from the POV of a non-human character.

Short Story – 103 stories

Set your story during the coldest day of the year.

Short Story – 52 stories

Write a story that includes the line “Be careful what you wish for.”

Dramatic – 40 stories

Stories

“The bald sniper” by Brian Carney

Submitted to Contest #281

David walked by his son’s room just in time to hear Rick yell, “I wish this game was easier.”“Having trouble with your game?” David asked, leaning into the room.“It’s impossible,” Rick complained throwing his remote down on his bed. “You’ve only had it for a couple of days, it takes time to learn all the right moves.”“NO, they just made it too hard!” exclaimed Rick in frustration. David walked over to his son’s bed and sat beside him. “So, you wish it was easier to play, without learning all the game's tricks.”“Yes, Charlie from school said ...

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“Ketamine Dreams” by Sheila C

Submitted to Contest #281

Content Warning: This story contains sensitive content about mental health and substance abuse.Elijah opted for the Champagne Lanson over the the cheaper Saldo Chenin Blanc he normally gets with his steak frites at The Golden Bull. After all, he just got promoted to Head of Sales at GoodMood, a startup that specializes in at-home ketamine therapy. Elijah and his co-workers, barely squeezed into the 50's style maroon booth, toasted to his future.“Elijah, how does it feel to be Head of Sales?” Tara, Head of Software Development asked.“It feels...

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“Head to Head” by Veronica Dowd

Submitted to Contest #281

Mother stayed home after the twins were born. Father worked outside the home. The Normans lived in a tow story house with a full basement in a nice neighborhood of average means, not an affluent or gated community. The Normans were comfortable financially and didn't need a flashy lifestyle to Garner attention. The twins provided more attention than desired as it was. Candy and Winifred just turned six years of age, conjoined twins who were currently allowed a few weeks off from their regular schooling and les...

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“The Stranger in Crimson” by Caroline Guirgis

Submitted to Contest #281

The Barrington Christmas Eve party was always the highlight of the season. Helena Barrington had spent weeks ensuring every detail was perfect. The twelve-foot tree, adorned with heirloom ornaments, stood at the center of the grand ballroom, its star twinkling like a beacon. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled with the soft strains of a string quartet, creating a picture of Christmas perfection. This year, however, the festivities had an unusual edge. Helena couldn't shake the feeling that something was... off. It wasn't anything tangible...

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“Christmas at Emily's” by Kristen Papach

Submitted to Contest #281

“I wish your sister would decorate the house the way she used to.” Trevor frowns at me before responding. “What are you talking about? It looks great in here.” I shake my head in his direction. “She used to make it much more festive. It looks like she forgot to decorate and threw something together last minute.” He rolls his eyes. “Give her a break, Mom. It’s nice enough that she’s hosting everybody at her house. Besides, she doesn’t have as much time to spend on decorating now that she’s got children of her own.” I suppose Trevor’s right. E...

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“A Sinister Symphony” by Ivana Pavićević

Submitted to Contest #281

This story contains sensitive content only by mentioning: Sexual assault, Abuse,Child abuse, Suicide, Murder, PornographyGolden chandeliers hung like imprisoned constellations, their light smothered by the stifling scent of pheasant, perfume and wax: intoxicating those lost in their own power.The hall devoured time in golden mirrors, while crimson curtains hid gardens where flames licked the infernal. ...

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“The Man in the Blue Suit” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #281

Monica stepped onto the verandah, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The fireworks had just gone off to celebrate the New Year of 1922. For a moment, the explosions had returned her to her nursing days at the front lines and her heart was still pounding. She pulled her wrap around her, shivering in the frosty air. The older guests had departed. Inside the house, her sister Dalia was rolling back the carpet with the assistance of her friends and cranking up the gramophone. Soon the frenetic strains of ragtime filled the air, punctuated b...

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“A Discordant Carol” by Bec Newton

Submitted to Contest #281

“Who's ridiculous idea was this?” the woman asked bitterly as she pulled her furs higher under her chin. She seemed not to notice her flaking makeup dusting her collar in a sad mimicry of the snow falling outside. “Come now, Marcia,” her companion droned in a nasal monotone. “You know full well that Randell likes to play his silly games. The more uncomfortable we are, the more he delights.” Marcia’s nose crinkled as her lip curled. “Couldn't he play them somewhere warmer? It's the coldest night in ten years and he decides to host his party i...

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“Christmas Cocktail” by Roxana Enculescu

Submitted to Contest #281

WARNING! This story contains sensitive content: physical violenceIt was Christmas Eve and the Bradford family was hosting a dinner party, to which they had invited 20 people, sadly 8 of them were unable to attend.Lady Bradford was already dressed and ready at 4 p.m. The party wasn't until 6 p.m., however she took pleasure in keeping a watchful eye over the staff of her household. She was floating around the dining-room in her red chiffon dress, her hair up in a tight ballerina knot, her make-up and accessories gleaming impeccably, however th...

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“Patient 47” by Andra Patterson

Submitted to Contest #281

“God damnit Florence, the guests will be here in under 5 hours, and the goddamned lights are the wrong color and the fucking chicken is rubbery.” “I understand ma’am. The proper resolutions are being implemented as we speak. Johnathon is over with the electrician now, adjusting the wiring and ensuring a stronger connection. It appears the cables were at an odd angle, and the pressure was causing a decrease in the power outlet. Once that’s done, they will all be the same even shade of rose gold. As for the chicken, well it was not as fr...

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“Timeminders” by Julija Veljkovic

Submitted to Contest #281

You know that feeling when one thought opens a door, leading into a maze of rooms and side doors until you’re in an echo chamber, sifting through the muck of time and brain matter? Kind of like when you do crack. Your mind spins and whines like tangled-up bedsheets in a washing machine. This is that moment. I am spiralling and stop to catch my breath. The roar and splash of the waves bring me back to my skin, and I suck in a lungful of brine and sea salt particles. I am the Ocean itself, a raging mass of energy that smashes its way through l...

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“Sticks and Stones” by Rado Randriamamonjy

Submitted to Contest #281

When Leika was a girl, her mother used to call Leika her "Baby Barnacle". Everywhere her mother went, there was Leika, attached like a fifth appendage, a bouncing shadow in her mother's wake.Before Leika was old enough to enter school, she and her mother would go out to the yard, with Leika draped around her mother's back, like a tiny turtle shell, and they would while away warm, summer days chasing Monarchs, as the insects migrated south across Western Massachusetts.The "Moppy Game" was also a favorite, as she would sometimes recall, a past...

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“The Second Sleigh” by S. L. Potts

Submitted to Contest #281

“Get a move on, pipsqueak.” The hoarse voice came from Belsnickel, towering over me. He grabbed the sack and threw it over his shoulder like it was filled with stuffed animals. I could barely drag it from where I’d been dropped off at the outskirts of the village. The shallow gully formed from dragging the sack faded in the white of the landscape only a few feet behind me. Belsnickel could have helped me and I’d have been set to go in a fraction of the time, but he never would do that. “Time’s a wastin’.”From the comfort of the workshop, we ...

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“Mia & Mistletoe ” by Miguel Vazquez

Submitted to Contest #281

Mia was examining herself in the bathroom mirror of her high school. Rearranging her plaid headband till she was sure no hair stuck out. Tightening her belt so that her skirt and shirt didn’t feel too loose. ‘Loose clothes are baggy clothes and baggy clothes never look good.’ After several minutes, nearly half an hour, Mia looked to the mirror content with herself. Smiling at how beautiful she was. How lovely she made herself. The illusion broke with the sound of approaching small chatter. Mia flinched and found herself looking around ...

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“The Perfumery” by Salacious Salamander

Submitted to Contest #281

When I was young, it always amazed me how effortless my Dad’s life seemed. I remember we’d go for long hikes in the woods, on those mornings I’d walk downstairs to see him making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the trail. I never saw him pack anything else, but somehow our bags were always ready for us. Dad loved adventures, and that meant going off path. When we inevitably got lost, I’d miraculously find homemade trail mix, a flashlight, and a map in my kit. On our way back Dad would pick wildflowers for...

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$250

Prize money

309

Contest entries

153

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 20, 2024 EST

Won by Karissa W 🏆

Title: The Counter and the Coal

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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