Write about a character going to great lengths to return an unwanted gift.

Posted in Funny on Nov 18, 2022

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✍️ 22 stories

“No Returns, No Exceptions” by Jacky Burke

Submitted to Contest #173

Christopher checked the drawer again. It was the first time in his life that he felt like he had gotten the exact right gift for a girlfriend. He had watched for clues for what Jessica would like for months. He asked her, of course, but she would always say she didn’t really know what she wanted, and that he didn’t have to get her anything, really, because she just wanted to spend time with him. Sure. He watched her reactions to holiday sale commercials. He chatted up her friends. He checked her closet to see what color was most commo...

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“Museum De Phantasia” by Caleb Kuether

Submitted to Contest #173

Museum De Phantasia You know, like West World but without all the death and risk. Without the hassle of trekking out into a deserted wasteland propped up by cardboard city structures. In a tall skyscraper, eleven stories high. Each floor with its own theme. You know this. It’s very infamous.I don’t know it.You know, like a theme park, but real-life.Not all that special then.You’re not understanding.Let me explain it, Dorothea. Horace and I have actually been there.Oh that was one hell of a time. Thanks for reminding me.Oh quiet, Horace,...

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“Todd vs The Book” by John Lindquist

Submitted to Contest #173

Christmas morning hasn’t been as magical as I remember it from my childhood. At least not until this morning. As I look out the front window, there’s fluffy snow calmly settling on the leafless branches across the street. Even the egg nog I dribbled all over my sweater can’t ruin this moment of bliss. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is playing in the background, the perfect song for the moment. “Todd,” says my mother from across the room. “Time to open presents.” Even in my 30’s, my parents still spoil me. And now they even spoil my gir...

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“The Sapphire Necklace” by Kimberly McFetridge

Submitted to Contest #173

In the brown box, tucked in around the socks, shorts, and tees, was a manilla envelope containing the gold bangle bracelets Jon had given Audrey. However, she had been unwilling to part with her oval sapphire and diamond solitaire pendant. She hadn’t taken it off since Jon had given her the necklace last Christmas. Sapphire was not only her birthstone; it also matched her eyes and had healing properties. Yet, Audrey was tired ofthe guilt she felt whenever she glanced at the glimmering sapphire in the mirror. She and Jon had called...

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“Exchanging Secrets” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #173

Harriet paced her living room floor, pausing every so often to glare at the glossy department store carrier bag sitting on her dining table. It contained the dullest, frumpiest sweater that she had ever seen, a birthday gift from her son Edgar and his wife, the prissy church-going Madeline. She wondered what had possessed them to pick it. Goodness knows but she wouldn't put it past them to choose it for her burial outfit. She made a mental note to specify her funeral wishes. Harriet wanted to take it back to the store and exchange it for a s...

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“The Stuffy Fluffy Buddy Polar Bear Heist” by Teresa Freeland

Submitted to Contest #173

Lucy Carter forces herself to stop trembling by standing stock-still in front of the massive and shiny brass doors of Percy’s Department Store. Her stance is made difficult due to the Christmas passers-by that keep bumping into her and hitting her dirt smudged Percy’s labeled gift bag which she has tightly coiled through her white knuckled hands. Her equally filthy used-to-be white woolen coat is torn away at one sleeve, the coat buttons dangling by threads. Taking a deep breath and tracing her eyebrow with her free hand she moves toward the...

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“Of Giving and Getting ” by Rehana Mithwani

Submitted to Contest #173

Rita stood at the edge of the store, watching through huge glass windows past the mannequins at the queue of people waiting to return and exchange gifts. She stared, her own department store bag held tightly in hand. Could she do this? Did she have the courage? In the queue, people were fidgeting, some casting fearful looks at the doors, others attempting to hide faces behind huge sunglasses and sun hats. Really? In the cold of winter? As the first person in the queue shifted, she caught sight of Sally, her friend who’d given her thi...

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Write about a character going to great lengths to return an unwanted gift.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 22 stories

“No Returns, No Exceptions” by Jacky Burke

“Museum De Phantasia” by Caleb Kuether

“Todd vs The Book” by John Lindquist

“The Sapphire Necklace” by Kimberly McFetridge

“Exchanging Secrets” by Bettina Karpathian

“The Stuffy Fluffy Buddy Polar Bear Heist” by Teresa Freeland

“Of Giving and Getting ” by Rehana Mithwani

🌟 Similar prompts

Coming up with a gift idea was the easy part — getting your hands on it is another thing entirely.

End your story with a character receiving a deeply meaningful gift they weren’t expecting.

Write a story starring a store cashier, during the busy pre-holiday season.

Write a story that includes the phrase “Thank you! It’s just what I wanted.”

Contest #173

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

168

Contest entries

79

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: