Christmas prompts? In autumn? I know, I know. You’re probably sweating buckets, not dreaming of sugar plums. But stick with me here. What better way to beat the summer heat than to take a literary trip to Tinseltown?
Think about it—Santa’s probably kicking back in Bermuda shorts right now, and here you are, about to sleigh the writing game. Get it? Sleigh the writing game?
Ah, I crack myself up sometimes.
Now, grab a mug of hot cocoa, because these prompts are like a brain freeze for your creativity, minus the ice cream headache.
Ready to jingle those bells out of season?
Fantasy Christmas Writing Prompts
Who says Christmas magic is just for kids? Let’s sprinkle some fairy dust on these fantastical holiday scenarios. Remember, in fantasy, the only limit is your imagination—and maybe how much eggnog you’ve had.
- Santa’s elves go on strike, forcing him to recruit mythical creatures to save Christmas.
- A child’s Christmas wish accidentally summons an ancient winter deity, plunging the town into eternal winter.
- The Krampus and Mrs. Claus team up to teach naughty adults a lesson about the true spirit of Christmas.
- A family discovers their heirloom Christmas tree ornament grants wishes with unexpected, magical consequences.
- An elf learns they’re half-human and embarks on a journey of self-discovery in the modern world.
- A wizard’s spell gone wrong turns all Christmas trees sentient, and they start making demands.
- A group of misfit magical creatures band together to deliver presents to supernatural children.
- The North Pole faces a magical energy crisis, threatening to cancel Christmas.
- A time traveler accidentally prevents the first Christmas and must race to restore the holiday.
- A shape-shifting dragon gets stuck in the form of a Christmas tree and is brought into a family’s home.
Remember, the key to a great fantasy Christmas story is balancing the magical with the relatable. Sure, your protagonist might be battling frost giants, but they’re also dealing with universal themes like family, belonging, and the stress of finding the perfect gift.
Romance Christmas Story Starters
Christmas offers the perfect backdrop for love stories—cozy fires, mistletoe, and the magic of the season. Get ready to play Cupid with these heartwarming prompts:
- Two rival bakers fall in love during a high-stakes Christmas cookie competition.
- A cynical city slicker gets stranded in a quaint Christmas-obsessed town.
- Childhood sweethearts reunite at a Christmas tree farm after years apart.
- A workaholic CEO and their personal assistant get snowed in at a cabin retreat.
- An overworked mall Santa finds love with a stressed-out single parent.
- A Christmas wedding planner falls for the reluctant best man.
- Two neighbors compete in an over-the-top holiday decorating contest, sparking unexpected feelings.
- A romance novelist with writer’s block finds inspiration (and love) while volunteering at a Christmas charity event.
- A professional gift wrapper and a last-minute shopper meet on Christmas Eve.
- An elf from the North Pole falls in love with a human while on a secret mission in the real world.
Whether your story ends with a kiss under the mistletoe or a New Year’s Eve declaration of love, make sure the journey feels as warm and satisfying as a perfect cup of cocoa on a cold winter’s night. Now go forth and spread some literary love, you hopeless romantic!
Sci-fi Christmas Writing Ideas
Ready to take Christmas where no holiday has gone before? Strap in, because we’re about to launch your imagination into hyperdrive. These prompts blend yuletide cheer with futuristic flair faster than you can say “Beam me up, Santa!”
- Time-traveling historians accidentally alter the first Christmas celebration.
- An AI-powered Santa suit becomes self-aware and decides to take over Christmas.
- Aliens crash-land on Earth during Christmas and try to blend in with holiday traditions.
- A space station crew must celebrate Christmas with limited resources and alien guests.
- Climate change forces Christmas celebrations to move to a terraformed Mars colony.
- A quantum computer calculates the exact formula for Christmas spirit.
- Nanobots programmed to create the perfect Christmas go haywire.
- In a post-apocalyptic world, survivors recreate Christmas based on fragmented memories.
- A malfunctioning teleporter merges Santa Claus with his reindeer.
- Humans discover an ancient alien artifact that’s actually a cosmic Christmas tree.
Hopefully, these prompts have jumpstarted your sci-fi Christmas engines. Just keep in mind, the best stories in this genre blend the whiz-bang cool factor of future tech with the heart and soul of the holiday season. So, whether you’re writing about cyborg elves or intergalactic gift-giving, don’t lose sight of what makes Christmas special—even in the far-flung future.
Crime Christmas Story Prompts
‘Tis the season for mysteries, mayhem, and murder under the mistletoe. These prompts combine holiday cheer with nefarious deeds, perfect for those who like their eggnog with a splash of danger.
- A detective must solve a murder at a high-society Christmas gala.
- A master thief plans the ultimate Christmas Eve heist at a megamall.
- An undercover elf investigates corruption at the North Pole.
- A cold case is reopened when new evidence is found in a Christmas pudding.
- A serial killer targets people dressed as Santa Claus.
- A valuable antique ornament is stolen from a museum’s Christmas display.
- A family gathering turns deadly when the Christmas turkey is poisoned.
- A ransom note is found in a child’s letter to Santa.
- An identity theft ring exploits online Christmas shoppers.
- A string of arsons targets homes with elaborate Christmas light displays.
Christmas and crime might seem like an odd couple, but they’ve been partners in storytelling longer than figgy pudding’s been on the menu. From Sherlock Holmes to film noir, winter’s stark contrasts have always complemented the shadowy world of mysteries.
So grab your deerstalker hat (or maybe your Santa hat), and let your imagination run wild in the dark corners of the festive season. Who knows? You might just unwrap the next great holiday whodunit.
Fiction Christmas Writing Activity
Writing activities push you to explore new ideas, experiment with different perspectives, and break out of your usual writing patterns. And what better time to stretch those literary limbs than during the holiday season? Or. our pretend holiday season we have going here.
These Christmas-themed exercises are designed to spark your imagination, hone your craft, and maybe even surprise yourself with where your pen takes you. Each prompt offers a unique way to capture the essence of Christmas in your writing.
- Write a modern retelling of “A Christmas Carol” set in your hometown.
- Compose a letter from Mrs. Claus complaining about her workaholic husband.
- Describe Christmas morning from the perspective of a family pet.
- Create a new Christmas legend explaining why candy canes are striped.
- Write a heartwarming story about a lonely person finding community during the holidays.
- Craft a tale about a child who discovers Santa’s workshop is actually in their attic.
- Pen a story where receiving coal for Christmas is actually a coveted gift.
- Imagine a world where Christmas occurs in the middle of summer.
- Write about a family’s yearly tradition of hiding a pickle ornament gone hilariously wrong.
- Create a story where New Year’s Eve precedes Christmas, changing holiday dynamics.
The beauty of fiction lies in its endless possibilities. With these prompts, you’re not just writing about Christmas—you’re reshaping it, reimagining it, and breathing new life into age-old traditions.
Tips For Using Writing Prompts for Christmas
So you’ve got your prompts, but now what? Here’s how to make the most of these yuletide idea sparkers:
Embrace the Weird and Wonderful
Don’t shy away from the bizarre or unexpected. Christmas is already a time of magic and wonder—push those boundaries! If your story leads you to a break-dancing elf or a time-traveling fruitcake, go with it.
Mix and Match Genres for Fresh Ideas
Who says you can’t have a sci-fi romance set at the North Pole? Or a cozy mystery with fantasy elements? Blending genres can lead to uniquely compelling stories.
Use Prompts as Springboards, Not Straight Jackets
Remember, prompts are just starting points. Feel free to twist, stretch, or completely reimagine them to fit your vision.
Set a Timer and Let the Words Flow
Try speed-writing exercises. Set a timer for 15 minutes and write non-stop. You might be surprised at what emerges when you turn off your inner editor.
Don’t Forget the Sensory Details of the Season
Christmas is a feast for the senses. Incorporate the smells, tastes, textures, and sounds that make the season unique.
Challenge Yourself to Subvert Holiday Tropes
We all know the standard Christmas story beats. Try flipping them on their head for a fresh take. What if Santa was the one who needed to learn the meaning of Christmas?
Explore Different Perspectives
Write from the point of view of an inanimate object like a Christmas tree or a forgotten gift. It’s a great exercise in creativity and empathy.
Use the Prompts for World-Building
Even if you don’t use the prompt for a full story, it might spark ideas for interesting holiday traditions or customs in your fictional world.
Collaborate with Fellow Writers
Share your prompt-inspired stories with other writers. Seeing how others interpret the same prompt can be both inspiring and instructive.
Remember the Heart of the Season
While it’s fun to play with novel concepts, the most resonant Christmas stories often touch on universal themes like love, family, generosity, and hope.
Unwrapping Your Holiday Writing Potential
Wow, we’ve really decked these halls with ideas, huh? From grumpy elves picketing the toy shop to gumshoes cracking cases under the mistletoe, we’ve dreamed up more scenarios than there are lights on the Rockefeller tree.
But listen up—these prompts? They’re just kindling. The real Yule log is that creative spark in your noggin. It’s itching to burst into a full-on blaze of storytelling brilliance.
Now, kick writer’s block to the curb like last year’s fruitcake. Channel your inner Ebenezer-turned-do-gooder and let those ideas flow. Don’t forget to fuel up—maybe some milk and cookies for that muse of yours?
Here’s to your words dancing off the page like sugar plum fairies. May they jingle all the way and maybe even raise an eyebrow or two. Because let’s face it—what’s Christmas without a little chaos in your stocking?
