Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition.

Posted in Holiday on Dec 23, 2022

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✍️ 52 stories

“On the First Day of the Year – Two Coffins, One Darby and One Kleese” by Roa Fam

Submitted to Contest #178

3 things that were inconsequential to my present predicament: Immobility. Apnea. Darkness. For the majority of my existence, I loathed suffering from depression. The days of senseless intermittent paralysis introduced a whole new narrative, wherein the illogical reason of laying in my own feces and urine became much more logical as I slept in my bathtub for months. Dr. Mordel configured some random psychiatric therapy, which spawned an alternative treatment to obliterate my thoughts of feeling suffocated. Trellis Tribbet. The only job given ...

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“The Betwixtmas Escape Plan of '22” by Susan Dalziel

Submitted to Contest #178

The Betwixtmas Escape Committee Meeting Minutes of '22 Attendees: Charlie Potts, Head of Operations; Rachel Huffington-Hill; Strategic Planner; cousin Charlotte, junior Family Representative (minute taker); Aunt Matilda, elder Family Representative (Chair). Apologies: Royston Rockall, Head of Delivery. Venue: Back Room at The Old Chimes Bar and Grill. Date and time: the evening prior to Betwixtmas. The meeting was declared quorate by Aunt Matilda with apologies from Royston Rockall noted. AM welcomed the Committee members present and ask...

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“Christmas Spirit” by Naima Ramakrishnan

Submitted to Contest #178

Beth. Disappeared when she was 16, braces still on, smile still crooked. Disappeared on the 24th of December, 11:20 pm. The police searched the oily sea, the seething fields, the snaking roads. To no avail. Every year, on 24th December, we hunt for a new clue. Each clue takes us a little closer to understanding what happened that night. And why. This is our Christmas game, and these are its rules: Rule 1: Gather the Suspects The policeman, why does he go to your old house, and decorate your Christmas tree every ye...

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“Two Liars” by Andre LeFosse

Submitted to Contest #178

The doctor took out two one-hundred dollar bills and placed them in front of the bartender. 'Top shelf? Maybe treating ourselves for Christmas?' the bartender said. 'No. It’s got to last the day. Although, quality is important. Give me the most drinkable bottled beer you have.' The doctor said. The bartender turned and went to the bottom fridge behind her. She opened the door and took out a bottle, showing it to the doctor. 'Import ok?' 'As you said, it is Christmas' The bartender smiled and took out an additional bot...

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“"Remember When We Kissed?"” by Natalie Schmitt

Submitted to Contest #178

“Hey!” Charles called, drawing the word out, as a greeting from a person I hadn’t seen in a while. He extended his arm with a firm handshake. “How are you?” “You know, I’m alright,” I answered vaguely. Charles smelled like smoke mixed with the fresh bread and chestnuts sold on the streets. “How ‘bout you?” “Doing well,” he said, smiling. I wanted to smile when he did; he still had that effect on me. “That’s good. Wanna go get a drink?” “Sure.” We walked away down the street. To anyone else, it would’ve looked like a meeting of two...

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“Miracle on View of What Street. ” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #178

Hilary, aka Hilaria, had washed up and tidied the kitchen after their Christmas brunch. For a little while, she had been a short order cook, over there in View Street. View of what, she wondered, as she glanced from her window to the streetscape. He husband, Ben, was snoring in his arm chair. Their adult sprogs and significant others had all driven off to their other obligations. It was the magical spirit of Christmas. Sighing, Hilaria picked up her latest craft project. She lived somewhere in the Great Southern Land, so it was summer for Ch...

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“The Longest Night” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #178

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The song plays in the bar and I shake my head, “no, it’s not,” I whisper to myself. We are in the midst of Winter and the Festive Season draws nigh. The Winter Festival is ancient. Older even than I. These fragile and transitory beings that mill about me, in a frenzy of short lived lives, like to pretend thing are not as they are, they all put on an act, too afraid to show their true natures and actually be themselves. I am a rock in this stream of frantic life. I watch them painting their fa...

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“ Ghost Story: real or fake? You decide.” by Robert Mccarthy

Submitted to Contest #178

It was the week before Christmas, and all throughout the small town of Oakdale, people were bustling about, preparing for the holidays. But in one particular house, the preparations were a little bit different than the rest. You see, in the Smith household, they had an unconventional holiday tradition that had been passed down for generations. It was a tradition that always caused a stir in the community, but the Smith family loved it just the same. Every year, on the evening of Christmas Eve, the entire family would gather around the fire...

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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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Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 52 stories

“On the First Day of the Year – Two Coffins, One Darby and One Kleese” by Roa Fam

“The Betwixtmas Escape Plan of '22” by Susan Dalziel

“Christmas Spirit” by Naima Ramakrishnan

“Two Liars” by Andre LeFosse

“"Remember When We Kissed?"” by Natalie Schmitt

“Miracle on View of What Street. ” by Julie Grenness

“The Longest Night” by Jed Cope

“ Ghost Story: real or fake? You decide.” by Robert Mccarthy

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

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

“A Permanent Center of Gravity” by Wil Montgomery

“Hanukkah Wands” by N T Galilei

“The promise” by Andrea Murray

“IT NEVER GETS OLD” by Debbie Curtin

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

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about a family (biological or found) coming together for Christmas.

Write a story that takes place over the eight nights of Hannukah.

Set your story at a work holiday party,

Write about a cynical character realizing they do have something to celebrate after all.

Contest #178

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

183

Contest entries

62

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: