Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition.

Posted in Holiday on Dec 23, 2022

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 52 stories

“Auld Lang Syne” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #178

As New Year’s Eve approached Wilson felt he had little to look forward to–another boring party with inane gossip, too-loud music and guests robotically rattling off resolutions they knew they had no intention of keeping. For the past three years the software salesman’s annual turning-of-the-calendar-page ritual had been brightened by the appearance of the stunningly beautiful and intelligent blonde lady. Aside from her tantalizing appearance and aura, she actually engaged seve...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Blood red roses” by Grace Kailing

Submitted to Contest #178

I kept my mind focused on the mysterious clouds that fogged over the bright, luminescent stars peeking through the sky. I gently lifted my eyelids, fighting the irresistible taste of sleep. The city bustled and moved. Everyone was hurriedly shopping and trying to buy a last-minute gift. They were all entranced in their own pathetic thoughts, not caring about the litter that plagued and cursed the streets, nor the homeless man about to sleep next to a giant corporate building in the middle of a bitter snowstorm. but I could see everything fro...

0 comments 0

Read story

“One Hundred Bites” by Keith Maynard Jr

Submitted to Contest #178

Taking a noseful of that aroma as she puts the cup lips. The warmth courses through her veins; at this time of year it is a feeling that is akin to ecstasy. Still she mustn’t indulge too much, this paper wasn’t going to write itself. "Babe??" "Doran, I told you I need to concentrate… remember" "Yeah but babe-Yeah toothbrush?" "... Don't worry about it" "Babe I don't understand…" "I told you, it's a family thing… Okay?" "I-I-I guess so…" Walking up behind her, Doran places his hand on the table as he goes to kiss her cheek. She pays him n...

6 comments 6

Read story

“A typical Christmas eve” by Benjamin Okojie

Submitted to Contest #178

Right next to the bed, my water bottle sits patiently waiting for me. I let a quick sigh, as I recall what I’m missing before heading out. James glances at me, he can tell just from the sigh of my breath that I’m about o ask for something. My eyelids widen and my pupils expand, I’m putting on my best face. “What?” he dreadfully asks. “I left my water bottle upstairs” I reply. “ you mean this,” he says, as he pulls it out from his backpack. His light brown eyes meet mine, I can’t hold the smile back. It’s always the little things he doe...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Clyde” by Leah Hearne

Submitted to Contest #178

Nothing could ever top the year Etta showed up at our childhood home in a bright red Cadillac. She discovered it, allegedly, in the parking lot of the Harbinger Mall, prying the door open using nothing but a crowbar. Whoever owned it had likely popped into a department store to run a quick errand, reasoning that no one would be so cruel as to steal a car during the holiday season. “The idiot left their keys in the ignition,” she told us all after her third glass of red wine. “This wasn’t just a golden opportunity—it was fate.” Mom smiled...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Fart” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #178

There’s really nothing unconventional about our family holiday celebrations—on either side. Over the years we’ve run the gamut of games and experimented with different foods, but nothing I would consider unconventional. Do you remember Trivial Pursuit? Yes? We actually played that several years in the different variations. I have no further comment. We played a game called ‘spoons’ where there’s one less spoon on the table than players. It’s a game of elimination where everyone is grabbing for a spoon at the same time. It was brutal. My un...

2 comments 2

Read story

“End of a Season” by Lunny Muffin

Submitted to Contest #178

At the dawn of the day he woke up from his flat thin mattress with a severe backache. In the tiny room he noticed his children one on top of the other in the corner floor mat, snoring in unison,. Without much delay he washed and rushed to the bus station, navigating the forest of people clustered at the old station, his steps dividing men and women and slipping through the pockets of space to make it on time. The season was fast approaching and his work was always heavy this time of the year. When the factory clock horned at six he was alr...

1 comment 1

Read story

🌟 Similar prompts

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

Christmas – 44 stories

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

Holiday – 5 stories

Set your story at a work holiday party,

Holiday – 35 stories

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

Character – 47 stories

Contest #178

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Happy Holidays

$250

Prize money

183

Contest entries

62

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 30, 2022 EST

Won by Molly Kelash 🏆

Title: Marie Antoinette

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write a story about an unconventional holiday tradition.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 52 stories

“Auld Lang Syne” by Bob Faszczewski

“Blood red roses” by Grace Kailing

“One Hundred Bites” by Keith Maynard Jr

“A typical Christmas eve” by Benjamin Okojie

“Clyde” by Leah Hearne

“Fart” by Douglas W. Carr

“End of a Season” by Lunny Muffin

🌟 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: