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

Posted in Holiday on Dec 15, 2023

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✍️ 24 stories

“Glad Tidings” by David Newcombe

Submitted to Contest #229

Iverton is one of those small, quaint villages that are the subject of countless holiday postcards. At least when postcards were popular. Apart from the very occasional visitor who has somehow drifted completely from their route, an increasingly rare event as GPS systems become more reliable, the town is left to its own devices. However, I found myself to be one such unintentional visitor well over thirty years ago, when mobile phones were yet to be reliably developed. It was Christmas Eve, and I was to meet my large, extended family to ce...

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“Tilly the Tenderhearted” by James Lane

Submitted to Contest #229

The reek of gun oil hits my nose before I open my eyes. Fitch is cleaning his revolver at the foot of my bunk again. “Can’t you do that outside?” I say.“No.” Fitch looks up and brushes back strands of ruddy hair. He’s got nice eyes. Green and intense when they look at you, like he’s hanging on to your every word. But there ain’t nothing going on behind Fitch’s eyes that don’t have to do with Fitch. “You don’t need it here,” I say. “The hell I don’t.” Fitch blows away dust from the cylinder. “You want another spooked kitch...

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“The Queen of Mean Is Here” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #229

“Pearls, please.” Hyatt “Hy” Rhodes fastens a string of pearls around his wife’s neck. Lane Rhodes stands back from the mirror. Sucking in her stomach and fluffing her auburn hair, Lane asks, “How do I look?” “Just as beautiful as that pretty freshman cheerleader I brought home to Christmas dinner eleven years ago.” “I looked like a scared rabbit being led to the slaughter back then. Did you remember to get the dinner rolls?” “Yep. The King’s Hawaiian brand, just like mother recommended.” “You mean demanded,” Lane replies. I thought ...

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“Let's Enjoy the Party!” by Oscar Lozano

Submitted to Contest #229

It was Christmas Eve, and Stacy was in a random man’s apartment, hooked up to what looked like an electric chair while her cousin Genie waited down the street. “Santa!” Stacy cried as the machine flared to life, a halo of sparks around her and the ceiling lights flickering, while her maddened, wide eyes stared at a can of Coke on the table. “Yes! Yes!” a man in a lab coat shouted excitedly, jumping up and down. The dingy, ancient apartment had peeling, faded, ornate wallpaper from the 1920s and was so small that even Stu...

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“Last Minute Christmas ” by Angela Tyler

Submitted to Contest #229

I get the idea for the blue soup, omelet, and marmalade from Bridget Jones’ Diary. At the time, I’m sure I’m being clever, celebrating my 29th year and the upcoming Christmas season this way. It’s the perfect way to give my twenties one last hurrah while demonstrating my vast maturity—one can’t have a dinner party if one isn’t mature, after all. If I’m being very honest, I also hope, desperately hope, that this small reenactment will attract my very own Mr. Darcy. I prefer the Colin Firth Mr. Darcy for his wavy hair and moody je ne sais...

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“The True Meaning of Holiday Magic” by Alexa Pei

Submitted to Contest #229

“It’s Christmas Eve!” said ten-year-old Maria Roger cheerfully. All her siblings shouted in excitement. Christmas was their favorite holiday of the year. Two weeks away from school?! What a deal! But not just that. They get to open gifts and enjoy time with family. The Roger family thought it would be a good idea to host a skiing party with friends and relatives. Around twenty people arrived at the spot where the party started, Hansan Ski Main. After they had gotten all bundled up with sweaters and put on their skis, everyone w...

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“Christmas Eve at Uncle John’s” by Jake Scott

Submitted to Contest #229

Minnesota winters were long, and when snow fell, Dad cleared the driveway with his coveted plow. I’d wake to sounds of the engine sputtering, scraping ice, and Allman Brothers blasting through the garage radio. Basketball started and I began coming home late. At those hours, when night swept the neighborhood like a cloak, our house appeared majestic. The Christmas lights Dad strung across the front and weaved intricately through the porch twinkled below winter stars. Packed in tight mounds around the blacktop’s minitature basketball court, t...

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“My Chaotic Christmas” by Audrey Russell

Submitted to Contest #229

My day started out just like any other. I talked with my friends, got home, and checked for mail. When I checked the mailbox though I found a letter from my mom. It was a basic, white envelope with a USA stamp on the corner, and both of our names and addresses. She lives in another state and doesn't write to me much so I was pretty surprised to see her name on an envelope. A wide smile spread across my face as I slowly opened it and read it. It was a cute Christmas card, it had Santa on the front with lots of littles elves. There was a small...

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“The Spirit Of Christmas” by Anuv Ahuja

Submitted to Contest #229

The little town of New Evergreen was a haven for those who enjoyed the spirit of Christmas. Among the snowy hills and bright lights, it displayed a charm that made every day feel like a holiday. The Jackson family, known for their everlasting spirit for the Christmas season, were the heart and soul of the community. Every year, they hosted a huge Christmas party that had become the main event of New Evergreen's winter. The wait for this year's celebration was intense, as whispers of the Jacksons' plans spread through the town like a raging w...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 24 stories

“Glad Tidings” by David Newcombe

“Tilly the Tenderhearted” by James Lane

“The Queen of Mean Is Here” by Michael Jefferson

“Let's Enjoy the Party!” by Oscar Lozano

“Last Minute Christmas ” by Angela Tyler

“The True Meaning of Holiday Magic” by Alexa Pei

“Christmas Eve at Uncle John’s” by Jake Scott

“My Chaotic Christmas” by Audrey Russell

“The Spirit Of Christmas” by Anuv Ahuja

🌟 Similar prompts

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

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

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

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

Contest #229

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

171

Contest entries

64

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: