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34 Best Christmas Short Story Ideas

Showing 34 short story ideas curated by Reedsy.

Write a story about a high-stakes decoration competition between neighbors vyying for the title of Most Festive Home in their city (and the local newspaper feature that comes with it).

"What? You're Father who? I don't know no Father Christmas, now get off of my lawn!"

In a series of letters to Santa, write a story about growing up.

Write a story that starts with the pick-up line, "I must be a snowflake because I’ve fallen for you."

Set your story at a disastrous gift exchange.

Write a story set at a peppermint convention for people obsessed with peppermint.

Write a story about Christmas from the perspective of someone who hates Christmas.

Write a story about a rival studio that is desperately trying to create a song to outsell Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

You are going home for Christmas for the first time in twenty-five years.

Set your story at a busy airport during Christmas week.

"I didn't believe in Christmas until now." What might have happened to cause this character to say this?

Write about a character who is confused about what a White Elephant gift exchange is, and ends up going on a search for an actual white elephant.

Santa Claus is backed up with orders recently, and you're in charge of writing the official letter of apology to all of the children around the world informing them that their presents may arrive a week late this year.

Write a story about a family's Christmas tradition that has to change this year, for one reason or another.

You left cookies on the table on the day before Christmas. When you wake up the next day, the cookies are gone, and in their place is a note. What does it say?

You were put in charge of getting your great-grandmother a gift this year by your family — but she's old enough that she's already seen, heard, and experienced everything under the sun. What do you get her?

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