Center your story around an unexpected guest who changes a traditional get-together.

Posted in Short Story on Jan 3, 2025

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✍️ 38 stories

“Tradition Trade-up” by Lori Severson

Submitted to Contest #284

“Reasonably priced real estate along a waterfront!” the ad screamed.I scanned the ads quickly that night and decided that the waterfront property was a bargain if the remainder of the ad was accurate. Entering the address into my phone, I leapt up from my chair and grabbed a coat. It was freezing outside and would be colder by the water. November nights were always cold but this close to Thanksgiving we were lucky that we hadn’t had snow too.Although I was used to driving to properties at night to inspect them for prospective ...

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“Blood on Golden Wings” by Cajek Veilwinter

Submitted to Contest #284

The Silent Harp was a remarkably well-built inn and tavern for such an out of the way location. Settled at the edge of the Altarhome Forest - enchanted with holy magicks - the two-story wood-and-brick structure was seemingly out of place in the wilderness. Aside from the trickle of pilgrims making their way to Altarhome Temple, very few travelers actually made it to the Harp’s sturdy hearth and spacious living quarters. ...Except for the coming holy days of Tyr, the God of Justice - who called Altarhome his central shrine and holy site...

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“We Have Movement!” by Simeon Bingham

Submitted to Contest #284

“We have movement!” The watchman’s cry split the early morning air like a jagged blade. His voice, raw with urgency, carried over the camp as he slammed the warning bell, its metallic clang slicing through the uneasy quiet. Panic rippled outward, a shiver of terror that shook even the steadiest hearts. The moment they had dreaded was upon them. The end had begun. It had been years—perhaps decades—since the Oracle’s death. The memory of her final, gasping prophecy lingered like a curse over the twenty-seven men stranded in this strange and ho...

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“Prodigal Sons” by Preston Pyle

Submitted to Contest #284

I’d known the Guilfoyle clan near thirty years. They’d been in Corceadus about that long, but since the grandsire never saw people or went without drink, it wasn’t until Beverly, his missus, started stepping out on her own that she made our acquaintance. We're at the Bramble Batch eating tacos on Wednesdays.It started innocently enough. We could tell from her feet she'd be amenable to joining our happy group. But posterity and pride, a rare abundance in this town, prevented her joining until Lila was able to pry out a mutual interest in arbo...

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“Shards” by Bonnie Giunta

Submitted to Contest #284

This story deals with both mental health issues and substance abuse. “We’re going to Daddy’s.” Ellie stared at Missy in stunned silence for a moment. “But it’s Solstice Eve. We always have dinner at Roma’s. I’ve reserved our favorite table in the corner window so we can see the tree lights.” “Sorry, Nana.” Missy glanced over at her younger sister for support, “but that can’t happen tonight. Not with what just went down.” Izzie nodded her head. “Like Missy said. We’re out of here until she’s gone.” “Girls, lower your voices. Your mother...

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“Cherry Blossom Tea” by Tara Domino

Submitted to Contest #284

‘Pâté!’ Exclaims Sylvie, clattering a plate of neatly cut sandwiches in the centre of the table which clanks noisily against Judith’s best porcelain. Judith winces but manages to turn it into a gracious smile, eyeing the thick, greyish filling. ‘How lovely,’ says Judith. ‘Who eats pâté anymore, Sylvie?’ I ask. Judith has her little round table set with all her finest, as is tradition in an event such as this. Her thin, porcelain teacups with the cherry blossom design, the silver tray of her old mothers. She’s even bake...

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“Grass Stains on The Couch” by Emma Pinnow

Submitted to Contest #284

Heather burnt the damn cookies. Her husband, who would normally console her by eating the charred remains of whatever dessert she had murdered, was outside mowing the lawn as he always did before they had guests over. So, Heather was forced to huff and puff as she tossed a whole sheet of sweets into the bin. Tossing her apron aside in a fit, she walked over to the open window and yelled, “Oh Daryl! Would you just cut that out?!” “What?!” “Cut that out! It doesn’t make any sense. Sara won’t care if you cut the grass or not!” She tried t...

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“Entertaining Angels” by Brian Webb

Submitted to Contest #284

It was Christmas night, 1863. Mama and Aunt Beverly were finishing up the dinner dishes as my Uncle Cleon dozed in a chair in front of the fire. They had travelled from their home in Loudon County to spend the holidays with us. The aroma of roast goose still hung in the house. An apple pie sat cooling on the counter. I was reading my Christmas gift, a copy of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The wind outside rattled our shutters, pushing in a cold front wi...

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“The Unexpected Angel” by Stephanie Walsh

Submitted to Contest #284

Content warning: Strong language“A white Christmas? Who the fuck needs a white Christmas?”Work had been slow. Christmas Eve day could’ve been busy, which is why she’d worked a double shift. But then it started snowing just before noon, and people hurried to finish their errands; folks couldn’t be bothered with a late lunch or a break for coffee and a snack when the roads were getting bad. She’d had only three tables all afternoon and hardly made enough to cover the bus fare and the babysitter. Now, to add to it all, the bus was stuck and sh...

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“The Humiliation at Thanksgiving” by Eric E

Submitted to Contest #284

Content warning: Derogatory slurs, offensive languageAnthony Losani hated Thanksgiving because every year, his Uncle Dom and his family would come to visit. Dominic Losani was his father’s brother, and was the epitome of everything that Anthony hated. He worked construction, though over the years he had risen in the ranks to the point where he barely had to do any heavy lifting; the massive gut that hung outside of his jeans was a testament to this, as well as his appetite. He was greasy - it seemed to roll down his body from his nearl...

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“Late for the Meeting” by Keith Menendez

Submitted to Contest #284

Ginny Mack spoke to the angry men in the kitchen, “Don’t blame the gun for a wayward bullet. A measured mark always hits the bullseye. Y'all are family. Work it out. Only together will we succeed during this difficult time.”The two determined men brushed past Emmy Castillo as she darted into the kitchen holding a wrapped square box.“I thought those two were about to strangle each other.” Emmy said to Ginny, "Men; you can’t live with them…”“And can’t shoot them with a 45.” Ginny pulled her pistol, swirled it arou...

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“Clarkson’s Christmas Company” by Victoria Strong

Submitted to Contest #284

In a house neatly trimmed in red and white lights that may or may not be very near to yours, a man named Clarkson breathed in Christmas. There were, of course, the smells that he quite literally breathed in (and thus also tasted on the air): evergreen, peppermint, and cloves, to name a quintessential few. There were also the sights: stockings and holly and spirals of lights spaced exactly three inches apart up the Christmas tree. There were the feelings: the fire-warmed leather of his armchair, freshly vacuumed carpet, and his fleecy blanket...

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“You Better Watch Out” by Sarah Horner

Submitted to Contest #284

The perfectly symmetrical Christmas tree twinkled in the interior-designed living room. Its vintage glass ornaments reflected the light, giving the festive fir an ethereal glow. Neatly wrapped gifts, adorned with coordinating bows, were nestled under the branches. Tiny lit reindeer, posed on the front lawn, offered a charming welcome to holiday visitors. The scene was idyllic, and one that Daphne took great pride in curating each year. Every holiday season, the sparkling façade that Daphne created with her own neatly manicured hands, offered...

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“Thursday Night” by Sam Bender

Submitted to Contest #284

Rain pattered on the roof of Grandma’s house as Christine settled in after Thanksgiving dinner. She sat on the plush carpet and started playing solitaire on the coffee table. Mom was hollering at the football game, but Christine was doing her best to tune that out. Grandma was in the kitchen finishing the dishes. Dinner itself had been the usual stuff: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans. It was a nicer, heartier meal than Christine usually ate. Now she was pleasantly full, enjoying her cards and the relative peace and quiet...

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“In the Tent of the Ceaseless Sun” by Sam Jacobsen

Submitted to Contest #284

It is the desert night and the sky is alight as with phytoplankton. All is still save a subtle tendril of wind from the west. A vision: she sees rows of golden trees growing...growing...catching fire and going as ash in the wind. A golden woman walks just beyond. Something is not right. Above, the sun goes out. She is returned to the night. They moved with sullen gravitas across the distant plains--banners burning blue across the endless sky. Behind them: an entourage which stretched for miles, all armed and deadly as the storm. Great...

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Center your story around an unexpected guest who changes a traditional get-together.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 38 stories

“Tradition Trade-up” by Lori Severson

“Blood on Golden Wings” by Cajek Veilwinter

“We Have Movement!” by Simeon Bingham

“Prodigal Sons” by Preston Pyle

“Shards” by Bonnie Giunta

“Cherry Blossom Tea” by Tara Domino

“Grass Stains on The Couch” by Emma Pinnow

“Entertaining Angels” by Brian Webb

“The Unexpected Angel” by Stephanie Walsh

“The Humiliation at Thanksgiving” by Eric E

“Late for the Meeting” by Keith Menendez

“Clarkson’s Christmas Company” by Victoria Strong

“You Better Watch Out” by Sarah Horner

“Thursday Night” by Sam Bender

“In the Tent of the Ceaseless Sun” by Sam Jacobsen

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone who receives a gift or message that changes their life forever.

Center your story around a character spending their first holiday alone.

Write a story that includes the line “I should’ve known better.”

Set your story in a place where everything should be familiar to your character(s), but isn’t.

Contest #284

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

347

Contest entries

145

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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