⭐️Deck the Halls! ⭐️ Light the menorah! ⭐️ Fill the Kikombe cha Umoja! ⭐️
It’s time for the . . .
14th Annual Holiday Writing Contest
~ for children’s writers ~
The Contest: Write a maximum 250 word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) about a Holiday Mystery!
- The mystery must be central to the plot, but does not necessarily have to be solved – endings that leave you wondering who-actually-dunnit can be as fun as the satisfaction of a solved case 😊
- It can be any kind of mystery:
- – a puzzling situation
- – something or someone gone missing
- – something that mysteriously shows up
- – a mysterious and/or unexplained event
- – etc…
- Anything goes – the more imaginative the better! 😊
Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Year’s, Three Kings Day, or whatever you celebrate during the Holiday Season, but is not to exceed 250 words (I know! So much freedom after the Halloweensie Contest 😊 ) (It can be as short as you like (the judges will be grateful 😊 , you are welcome and encouraged to write shorter, but no more than 250! Title not included in word count.) The field is wide open! Have fun! The more creative the better! No illustration notes please. (And yes, if you feel compelled to submit more than one entry you may, just remember you’re competing against yourself!)
Post: Your entry should be posted between right now this very second and Sunday December 8th at 11:59 PM EST, and must be posted in the comment section of this, THE OFFICIL CONTEST POST, below. This post will remain up for your reading pleasure until I post the finalists. There will be no regular posts (Tuesday Debut or Perfect Picture Book) for the duration of the contest so everyone will have plenty of time to visit and enjoy all the entries. If you have trouble posting, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email it to me and I’ll post it for you. Please put your entry in the body of the email and be sure to include title, word count, and your name. No attachments please!
The Judging: My lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to approximately 12 -14 finalists. Due to the busy-ness of the holiday season, I am not going to hazard a guess as to exactly when the finalists will be posted – they’ll be up as soon as I can get them up!
Judging criteria will be as follows:
- 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
- 2. Holiday Mystery! – the rules state a Holiday Mystery story, so your story must be centered around a mystery of some kind and it must be crystal clear that the story in some way relates to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Year’s, or whatever seasonal winter holiday you choose. Your mystery must be central to the story – not just an offhand mention/reference in a story about something else.
- 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc. Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
- 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 😊 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important. Please proofread! A typo may be the difference between being considered and being set aside. (Please see note below!)
- 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another. And in a contest of countdowns, you will want yours to stand out from the crowd!
- 6. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! Large numbers of entries make it easy to cut entries that haven’t been entered as we asked.
The Prizes!: Oh WOW!!! How lucky are we to have such fantastic prizes from such generous kidlit professionals!
Also, please take note of something special about this contest’s prizes! The first 4 prizes on the list are being offered by writers who won, placed, or HMed in one of the contests on this blog and who now have published books based on their contest entries to show for it!!!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique AND a Signed Copy of MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MARS from Penny Parker Klostermann, talented author of MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MARS (September 3, 2024 from Macmillan/Godwin Books) – a story that placed 2nd in the 2011 Holiday Contest! How’s that for inspiring? – as well as THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017) and the forthcoming SPIDER LADY: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army (Astra/Calkins Creek 2025)
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Author Kelsey Gross OR a signed copy of one of her Solstice Books: WINTER: A SOLSTICE STORY, the original version of which placed 6th in the 2020 Holiday Contest! more inspiration!, or SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of a 30 minute Zoom Ask Me Anything from author Jenna Waldman OR a signed copy of one of her books: LARRY’S LATKES (Apples & Honey Press, October 1, 2021) (which tied for 4th in the 2018 Holiday Contest – more inspiration!!!), SHARKBOT SHALOM (Apples & Honey Press, August 1, 2021), or PURR-IM TIME (Apples & Honey Press, February 1, 2023) A PURR-FECT PASSOVER is due out from Apples & Honey Press on March 25, 2025.
⭐️ 30 Minute Zoom PB Critique and Signed Copies of PIRATE & PENGUIN (Page Street Kids, May 30, 2023) and PIRATE & PENGUIN 2 FEW CREW (Page Street Kids, September 3, 2024) from author Mike Allegra (who, incidentally, also had a 6-book Chapter Book Series published – the PRINCE NOT-SO-CHARMING books – which were inspired by the story he wrote for his 2nd place finish in the 2014 March Madness Contest! as well as a Highlights Magazine story based on a Fourth of July Contest entry called Harold’s Hat! – more contest inspiration!!!)
⭐️ Interested in Self Publishing? Author Kizzie Hutcheson Roberts will help you format a picture book for self-publication (does not include providing illustrations) (Can be saved until you’re ready – Kizzi will honor it down the road) Kizzi is the indie author of THE ELVES GO MARCHING (Elemental Ink, December 1, 2022), THE EGGS GO ROLLING (Learning Spark, February 16, 2023), and HARPER AND THE RAPTOR RESCUE (chapter book) (Learning Spark Educational Publishing, June 27, 2023)
⭐️ Signed Copy of LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN PLUS A 30 Minute Ask Me Anything with Rebecca Gardyn Levington, author of BRAINSTORM! (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (Barefoot Books, Mar 7, 2023), I WILL ALWAYS BE…(HarperCollins, 4/15/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now), AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? A Passover Hide-And-Seek Adventure (Penguin/Rocky Pond, Spring 2024), LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN (Scholastic, 9/3/24), WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW! (Capstone, 1/1/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now), FINDING FORGIVENESS (Macmillan/FSG, 8/5/25), SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books, Fall 2025), and LOOKING FOR LIGHT: A Shabbat Story (Macmillan/FSG, Fall 2026)
Sign up for Rebecca’s NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/h2sK8X
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction) or a signed copy of one of her books from Melissa Stoller, author of SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH (Spork 2018), READY, SET, GORILLA! (Spork 2018), THE ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION (chapter books) (Spork 2017), SADIE’S SHABAT STORIES (Spork, 2020) and PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non rhyming) from Maria Antonia, author of THE CHRISTMAS ELEPHANT (Paraclete Press, October 8, 2024) and the forthcoming BARNABY, THE RUNAWAY SHEEP (Paraclete Press, March 4, 2025)
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming) or a 30 minute Zoom Ask Me Anything from author Lori Degman! Lori is the author of COCK-A-DOODLE OOPS! (Creston Books, January 1, 2014), NORBERT’S BIG DREAM (Sleeping Bear Press, August 1, 2016), 1 ZANY ZOO (Simon&Schuster, July 20, 2010), JUST READ (Union Square Kids, March 5, 2019), LIKE A GIRL(Union Square Kids, August 13, 2019), TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2020), and TRAVEL GUIDE FOR MONSTERS PART DEUX: A CANADIAN ADVENTURE (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2023)
⭐️Winner’s Choice of Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a 30 minute Zoom Ask Me Anything from Kelly Conroy, author of YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING (Tiger Tales, November 5, 2024) and the forthcoming I SEE YOU IN THE STARS: A ZODIAC BOOK FOR BABIES (Familius 2025)
⭐️ A One-Hour Zoom with Feedback on a Picture Book Written in Rhyme or Free Verse from developmental editor Lou Piccolo! Lou Piccolo is an author, poet and developmental editor of children’s
literature based in France. When she’s not writing for the educational market or editing kidlit, she works as a contributing editor for GO English Kids magazine. She is also the owner of RHYME MADE EASY(er), a
skills-based resource for authors to revise, and practice their scansion and rhyme of children’s rhyming picture books, poetry collections and standalone poems. She is a graduate of Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab – Punching Up Prose With Poetry course and Making Picture Book Magic,
⭐️ Three 30-minute Get Unstuck Brainstorming Zoom Calls with author/editor Alayne Kay Christian! Have you taken your story as far as you can, but still feel like something is off or it’s not quite there yet? Alayne is offering mini-mentoring mixed with brainstorming to help you on your way to success! Alayne is the author of BUTTERFLY KISSES FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA (Blue Whale Press, 2008), SIENNA THE COWGIRL FAIRY: COWBOY TROUBLE (Blue Whale Press 2021), THE WEED THAT WOKE CHRISTMAS (Blue Whale Press, 2020), and AN OLD MAN AND HIS PENGUIN (Blue Whale Press, 2020)
⭐️ A 30 Minute Ask Me Anything Zoom Call with Barbara Kimmel PLUS a signed copy of her debut picture book, HANUKKAH HIPPITY HOP! Barbara is the author of HANUKKAH HIPPITY HOP (Kar-Ben Publishing, October 1, 2024) and the forthcoming PURIM POSSIBILITIES (PJ Publishing 2026).
⭐️ A Set of Julie Abery’s BABY DINO Board Books OR an ASK ME ANYTHING Session With Her About Writing Board Books. Julie is the author of more than a dozen books for children including picture books SAKAMOTO’S SWIM CLUB (Kids Can Press, May 4, 2021), THE OLD MAN AND THE PENGUIN (Kids Can Press, October 6, 2020), and YUSRA SWIMS (Creative Editions, February 26, 2020), as well as 8 board books in the LITTLE ANIMAL FRIENDS series and 4 board books in the BABY DINOSAUR series. Check them all out HERE!
Please join me in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for birthday, holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, recommending them for school and library visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
With so many great prizes up for grabs I hope there will be a lot of entries – the more the merrier! And you’ve still got a couple days to write, so you can squeeze in under the wire if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!
Contest Entrants, remember you MUST post your entry in the comment section below and include title, byline, and word count.
Eager Readers – just go along the list of links below, click on them (they’ll take you directly to whichever story you click on), and enjoy the stories!
So let the Holiday Contest begin!
Happy Writing and Happy Holidays! 😊 ☃️ ✡️ ⭐️ ❄️ 🎄🕯🕎
I can’t wait to read your entries!!!
THE ENTRIES! (Anyone who feels nice can start at the bottom of the list so that the later entries get read too! 😊)
2024 Holiday Contest Entries!
- The Mystery of the Untouched Snack – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
- The Case of the Christmas Conveyance – Anne Lipton
- Out-Of-This-World Hannukah! – Donna Kurtz
- Happy New Year! – Donna Kurtz
- Best First-Day-Of-Winter Ever! – Paul Kurtz
- Elfeena, Super-Detective – Paul Kurtz
- Smudge and the Missing List – Mona Voelkel
- Where’s Tiny Teddy? – Lyn Jekowsky
- Cookie Thief – Vicky Pao
- Winter Solstice Mystery – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
- Darkness Is Coming! – Amber A. Novak
- Gracie and the Christmas Tree Mystery – Rose Cappelli
- Sprinkle McGee, At Your Service – Emily Roberts
- A Gift From The Woodlands – Emily Roberts
- Christmas Mystery Magic – Laura Wippell
- Baby New Year Is Missing – Nancy Ferguson
- The Mystery of the Christmas Star That Lost Her Light – Susan Elizabeth Schipper
- Who Stole The Star? – Rebekah Hoeft
- The First Christmas Mystery – Jany Campana
- The Night Santa Went Missing – Melissa J. Miles
- If – Lynn M. Moore
- A Punny Thing Happened On The Way To The North Pole – Jessica Russo
- Where Is Baby Jesus? – Robin Currie
- Stray Shoes on St. Nicholas Day – Jessica Jenson
- No-els – Jessica Jenson
- Found: Puppy – Jessica Iwanski
- The Story of A Solstice Lost and Found – Elizabeth Volkmann
- What Is It? – Angel Gantnier
- The First Ornament – RJ Clarken
- The Day The Christmas Lights Went Out – Lauren N. Simmons
- The Lost Nutcracker – Katia M. Jesson
- The Enchanted Christmas Books – Dawn Hauptner
- The Solstice Sleuths – Karen Opp
- The Bell Tower Mystery – Glenda Roberson
- One Pair of Missing Snowshoes – XL – Katie Schwartz
- Mystery Gift – Susan Summers
- The Disappearing Act – Angela Steffen
- The Dreidel’s Message – Marilyn Wolpin
- Mouse’s Christmas Campaign – Susan Corry
- The Missing Mitten Mystery – Marty Findley
- Stella and the Santa Experiment – Lynne Marie
- The Cocoa Monster – Michael Kokozos
- Worm’s Party – Poupette Smith
- Mouse’s Missing Ingredient – Maryna Doughty
- A Chameleon Christmas – Sue Heavenrich
- Nursery Crimes – Webb Smith
- Imposter Santa – Maria Piñero Pope
- Something’s NOT Right In Gingerville Hills – Maria Piñero Pope
- The Missing Elf – Betty Lackey
- Santa, Is That You? – Maria Kim
- A Christmas Experiment – Isabel Cruz Rodgriguez
- The Truth About Santa – Anisah Polaris
- The Toyshop’s Dark Secret – Gayle C. Krause
- A Fruit Thief In Spruce Ridge – Julie Lerczak
- Little Helper – Susan Gleeson
- The 12 Days of Mystery – Cari Chamberlain
- ‘Twas the day before Christmas when a cat disappeared. . . – Jodie Houghton
- A Merry Mix-up – Thomas Christie (Age 8)
- The Dark Street – Linda Staszak
- Katie’s Secret-On-Secret Santa – Sharon McCarthy
- The Missing Jingles – Linda Staszak
- The Mysterious Glitter Tale Trail – Sharon O. Blumberg
- No ‘L’ – Betsy J. Bennett
- The Case of the Missing Milk and the Christmas Cookies – Patti Ranson
- Adira, Royal Detective – Lauren N. Simmons
- Jack’s Farm Stand – Shaunessy Sinnett
- A Most Perplexing Holiday – Amanda Fletcher
- The Dastardly Christmas Machine – Brian Gallagher
- Colonel Coal – Brian Gallagher
- Happy Jolabokaflod! – Jill Lambert
- Cash For Christmas – Shaunessy Sinnett
- Where’s Home, Tree Topper? – Shuba Mohan
- The Very Last Gift – Judy Sobanski
- Who Stole Santa’s Boot? – Meg Winikates
- The Baker’s Surprise – Marta Cutler
- Snowman Wishes – Sarah Ringgenberg
- Santa’s Belly Button – Christine Alemshah
- The Biggest Gift – Lisa Rowe Fraustino
- The Chrusciki Thief – Lucia Lemieux
- Who Stole The Carrots From The Cookie Plate? – Marcia D. Williams
- Gone Nuts! – Tara Seahorn
- A Sneaky Christmas Eve – Trinity Clark
- Jingles’ Lost Bells – Amy LaMae Brewer
- The Nutcracker Detective – Ellen Crosby
- The Missing Star – Judy Caldwell Hughes
- Mysterious Crime At The North Pole – Mike Flowers
- The Maltese Latke – Jennifer Tarr
- Arctic Winter Solstice Mystery – Ian Rodrigues
- What Does Momma Want For Christmas? – Kato McNickle
- Molly and the Christmas Eve Mystery Guest – Sarah Meade
- New Year’s Magic – Sarah Meade
- Cymbalina, Crash! – Kato McNickle
- Who Ate The Christmas Pie? – P.J. Purtee
- Elf Encounters – Ryann Jones
- A Thousand Stars – Margaret Zotkiewicz
- The Best Present – Greg Beatty
- The Missing Beach – Carly Vester
- Oh No! It’s Missing – Dawn Renee Young
- The Present – Time McGlen
- Mrs. Claus Is Missing! – Nicole Garnett
- Santa’s Problem – Colleen Fogarty
- I Wonder – MIGRATINGMOOSE
- Clue’s For Christmas – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
- Psychic Reader and Advisor – Toni Blackwell Rhodes
- Run, Run, As Fast As You CAN’T – Bri Lawyer
- Three Kings Day Eve – Maritere R. Bellas
- Merry Trickster – Lisa Lowe Stauffer
- Quest For The Christmas Treasure – Kimberly Howard
- Missing Christmas – Ashley Sierra
- Santa Is Missing! – A. C. Drouet
- Fruitcake Bandit – Lauri Meyers
- A Christmas Mystery In The Forest – Janet Parkinson Bryce
- Wet Christmas – Amanda Blaylock
- First Christmas Without Dad – Teresa Speranza Vargas
- Peppermint Bark – James Blaylock
- Did Santa Eat Jesus? – Sharon Korzelius
- How Eli Saved Christmas. . . Or Did He? – Lori Bonati
- Santa? – Elizabeth Etheridge
- Swayshing’s Journey – Nancy Riley
- Oplatki – Sherry Dubis
- The Twelve Cookies of Christmas – Angela Martinelli
- Matchbox Matched Potatoes – Lydia Richardson
- The Last Gift – Daniella Kaufman
- Where’s Rusty – Dianne Borowski
- Grub’s Holiday Surprise – Judie Offerdahl
- Who Stole Santa’s Cookies? – Una Belle Townsend
- A Surprise for Kwanzaa – Hope Gupple
- The First Christmas – Michelle S. Kennedy
- The Mystery of the Missing Candy Canes – Lorena Medina
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Something’s NOT right in Gingerville Hills
By Maria Piñero Pope
211 Words
Gigi and George Gingerbread loved everything about their house in Gingerville Hills.
They loved the peppermint windows,
the gumdrop roof,
and the candy cane walkway.
But something strange was happening in their sweet neighborhood.
The closer it got to Christmas, the more things went…
MISSING!
“GEORGE!” exclaimed Mrs. Gingerbread, “Did you hear what happened to the Snaps next door?! Their gummy trees have vanished!”
“Don’t worry Gigi,” sighed Mr. Gingerbread, while reading his book. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
But as the hours passed, Mrs. Gingerbread only grew more concerned.
“GEORGE!” squealed Mrs. Gingerbread, “Did you hear what happened to the Nutmegs?! Their front door is just… GONE!”
“Don’t worry Gigi,” sighed Mr. Gingerbread. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing, George. Things are disappearing!”
“Nah. I was just at Licorice Lake this morning, and it’s completely untouched.”
“I’m telling you, George. Something’s NOT right!”
“Mmm-hmm,” George sighed and continued to sip his cup of hot icing.
That night, George felt a chill in the house. He looked up and noticed the roof was…
well, not there.
“Gigi? What happened to the roof?” he called.
“Gigi?” he called again.
“GIGI!” he hollered.
But…
there was no reply.
“Huh,” sighed Mr. Gingerbread as he opened another book.
“I wonder where she went?”
This is so clever and I love the puns and of course the dark humor that remains kid appropriate. Great work! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Betty! I giggled the whole time.
So much fun Maria! Kids will feel so clever while reading this – they’ll know where things are disappearing to!!
Thanks Laura! It was so fun to write!
This is my favorite title on the list! Great job on a fun holiday mystery.
lol, thanks so much Melissa!
Hilarious and VERY kid friendly!
Thank you!
This is fabulous and will be hard to beat, Maria!
You are so sweet Sharon! There are SO many good stories on here. I don’t know how Susanna & Co. ever choose!
I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face: the Snap family. Hahaha.
Great ending!
So happy it make you smile, Jill! I laughed the whole time I wrote it!
This is a lot of fun! The ending made me chuckle, and I love all the clever gingerbread details throughout.
Thanks Sarah!
This is great! I read it to my daughter, and her eyes got wide at the end!
Haha, thanks! My kids had the same reaction 😂
Delightful! You are gifted!
Thanks so much!
This is on the list of my favorite things you’ve ever written! I hope you have plans to make this a PB!
Yay! So glad you like it! And yes already thinking about it!
This story is adorable and SO FUNNY. I read it several times and each time it made me laugh. Kids will love it. As others pointed out this one will be hard to beat. Well done.
That’s so sweet of you to say! Glad it made you laugh!
THE MISSING ELF by Betty Lackey
Dear Santa,
It’s December 1, and Tickle is missing. Maybe the empty house confused him. We were on vacation last week and stayed at a fancy hotel. They had free soap and tiny bottles of shampoo. I brought one back for Tickle. Maybe he got lost in a big snowstorm from the North Pole. If so, I hope he is okay. Please send Tickle to 111 Hammond Road, as soon as possible.
From,
Gary.
Dear Santa,
It’s now December 2, and Tickle is still missing. Maybe he’s injured or hurt. Or maybe he lost his magic. Mom says he didn’t have a cup of coffee this morning. She says without a cup of coffee, it’s hard to fly. But I told her Tickle doesn’t drink coffee; he only drinks hot chocolate. Mom says she is going to call you today. She says she has a special VIP phone number for you. I hope I am on the nice list and Tickle is coming this year.
From your NICE friend,
Gary
Dear Santa,
It’s now December 3, and Tickle is still missing. Mom says Tickle is on a secret mission doing official Santa business, but I’m starting to think I’m on the naughty list. The truth is I’ve been part nice and part naughty this year. I’ll try to do better. I cleaned my room, helped my sister tie her shoes, and fed the cat today. Being nice is hard work.
From your part nice and part naughty friend,
Gary
Lol, love this one Betty! I hope Tickle makes it back to Gary!
where IS Tickle? Inquiring minds want to know…
Aww, what a way to end on a cliffhanger! I enjoyed this Betty, and I hope Tickle makes it home for Xmas!
Soooooo clever: the letter format.
ONE of my favorite parts: From your NICE friend. Hahaha.
Aww! This is so cute, and I like the format.
Love the letter format and the changes in the character. Nicely done.
This is great! I read it to my boys tonight. What fun rhymes and a great twist on the classic.
Thanks.
I plan to enter. I hope you do, too. —Susanne
>
SANTA, IS THAT YOU?
By Maria Kim
Word Count: 208
Cookies on the table,
snow piled in the night,
tree glowing softly in the evening candlelight.
Cosy in my bed,
snuggled way down deep,
eyes squeezed tightly shut,
trying hard to fall asleep.
A pitter patter on the rooftop,
there above my head.
Could it be the sound
of reindeer pulling
Santa’s sled?
Both my eyes pop open.
Santa, is that you?
Pattering gets louder.
Quick, go back to sleep!
Boards above my bed
groan with a
creak, creak, creak.
Then it stops.
Snuggle down, yawning,
slip into a doze,
sounds come from
the living room,
like tippy tap toes.
Santa, could it be?
There it is again,
footsteps with a
jingle, jingle, jingle.
This is it -I know it,
it’s gotta be Kris Kringle!
Then it stops.
Can’t wait a second longer,
poke my head outside the door,
watch a shadow creep
its way across the floor.
Hold my breath, waiting-
oh could it be true?
A soft crunch by Santa’s cookie plate,
Oh Santa, is that you?
Flipping on the light,
a loud crash and then a blur,
broken cookies, crumpled gifts,
wait- could that be fur?
Clean up all the pieces,
switch off all the lights,
guess I’ll never know
what happened
Christmas Eve Night.
Love the child perspective on this. You sucked me right in! Love it.
What a sweet image: cosy in my bed, snuggled way down deep.
ENTRY POSTED FOR ISABEL
A Christmas Experiment
by: Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
WC: 249 words
Lizy was so excited to find a plaster doll on Christmas Day.
“Look what Santa left me, Sis!”
My doll had beautiful blue eyes and pink cheeks.
She said “Mama” when Lizy rocked her.
“It’s the bestest doll I’ve ever had!”
“Look at MY doll!” shouted Marta.
Little Marta got a rubber doll – it soon became “the experiment.”
It had a hard rubber head, arms and legs but her body was soft.
We wondered why.
We decided to “operate” on her and find out and went into Aunt Adelle’s sewing box.
She was a seamstress and had all the tools we needed: scissors, a needle and thread.
We placed Marta’s doll on her blanket and started.
But…..the minute we cut into the stretched plastic, strange dark grey stuff popped out!
“Oh, no! What’s this?” Marta asked.
“I don’t know!” I said, with eyes wide open and panic in my voice.
“What do we do?” Marta asked.
“Quick! Let’s stich her up,” I told her and hurriedly threaded the needle.
Marta held the skin together while I sewed it shut.
We were on the final stitches when Mom walked in.
“Whose idea was this?”
Our replies were silent points of fingers: mine pointing at Marta and Marta’s pointing at me.
All we can remember is sitting on time-out for what seemed like an eternity.
One good thing, I still had my plaster doll with the beautiful blue eyes and poor Marta was stuck with a stitched-up doll until next Christmas.
Aunt Adell’s sewing box intrigued me. It’s just like a couple of kids to investigate (with surgery!).
Interesting story. Surgery on a doll – I think kids would relate!
The Truth About Santa by Anisah Polaris
Johnny has always loved Christmas and was looking forward to this year too. He couldn’t stop talking about Santa and what his present will be.
What Johnny didn’t know was that this Christmas would be different.
He was discussing Christmas with his friend when the friend told him that Santa wasn’t real.
Confused, he ran home and asked the people who had told him about Santa, the people he trusted the most, his parents about it.
“Johnny, you are older now. I believe it’s time we told you that Sant is not real.” Johnny couldn’t take it.
He had lived his whole life believing that Santa would bring him the present he asked for if he had been a good boy. And now what, he wasn’t real. What about the presents?
These questions stayed on his mind until Christmas eve, when he finally accepted the truth.
He cried himself to sleep knowing that there would be no present or cookie crumbs under the tree.
When he woke up on Christmas morning, he heard the same laughter and joy from every Christmas.
He went downstairs to find his family around the presents just like every year.
He was confused. If Santa wasn’t real, why was everyone still happy? Where did the presents come from?
“You see Johnny, Santa is all of us.Santa is everyone who has been kind all year round, the person who got presents for those they care about and the people who appreciate the gifts they received.”
Title: The truth About Santa
By Anisah Polaris
Word Count : 250
I’m pretty sure Santa exists: I sat on his lap once and asked him to come home with me to spend the night. Mom said I cried all night when he said he couldn’t come.
The Toyshop’s Dark Secret
By Gayle C. Krause
250 words
Kids asked for iPads and cute Christmas socks,
but no one wanted a Jack-in-the box.
For years, lonesome Jack sat on a high shelf.
Then one night he heard the screams of an elf.
“Someone get Santa. The toys have gone mad.
They’re rowdy and wicked and totally bad.”
Jack peeked through the top of his musical box
to see an elf cornered by Calico Fox.
A dark, smoky cloud filled the toy workshop room
and stunk up the place like an old, farty fume.
Toy robots chased dolls who cried and could wet.
A stuffed bear caught elves in a butterfly net.
“Help!” cried an elf captured by wooden blocks.
So, Jack held his breath and jumped out of his box.
He hopped outside through the blizzardy night.
“Santa, come quickly. The toyshop’s not right.”
They dashed to the shop as midnight was striking.
There near the fire stood a giant, old Viking.
The toys stopped their pranks as Santa called out,
“Who are you stranger? What’s this all about?
Something is wrong here. What spell did you cast?”
“Me? I’ve no magic. I’m a Norse from the past.
I’ve wandered the Arctic for hundreds of years.
My toes are all frostbitten. So are my ears.
The fire looked cozy from out in the storm.
So, I stoked it with coal. I just longed to be warm.
“Don’t you know where you are, man? You’re at the North Pole,
and you just fed the fire with my “Naughty Coal.”
Gayle, This is fantastic. Great rhyme scheme and beats and the story is perfectly packaged.
Thank you,Amber.😉🎄🎅🏻
I so enjoyed this!
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.
Merry Christmas!
So fun!! Love the rhyme!
Thank you. Glad you liked it.😉
Very creative idea!
Thank you, Rose.😉
A Fruit Thief in Spruce Ridge
by Julie Lerczak
249 words
The Saturday before Christmas, Spruce Ridge was blanketed in fresh snow. Kids buzzed with excitement, gearing up for the annual Snowman Contest.
Teams of little snow sculptors rolled and patted snow, decorating their creations with hats, scarves, twigs, and fruity enhancements.
Every snowman was a masterpiece! The Maple Street team crafted a snowman with a hairstyle made of pineapple rings! It had sparkly sugarplum eyes, and a grin made of plump cranberries.
The Elmwood team’s snowman sported a delightfully crooked carrot nose, gnarly red beet eyes, and a sassy beef jerky mouth.
Not to be outdone, the Oak Avenue team’s snowman flashed a smile of vibrant orange slices, heart-shaped strawberry eyes, and an upturned banana nose.
Teams proudly snapped photos with their frosty friends before heading home, full of anticipation for the big judging day.
But come morning, what a surprise! Overnight, someone snatched every edible decoration! “Who could be so naughty?” the townsfolk cried.
As they searched for clues, little Maribelle Morgan spotted a trail of raisins leading into the woods! She followed the trail to a rickety old cabin and peeked inside. There, a thin, frail woman hunched over a mound of fruit. The woman seemed more hungry than naughty!
Maribelle dashed back to report her discovery. Later, she and some neighbors returned and banged on the door. The old woman slowly opened it. “Merry Christmas,” everyone greeted, bearing food and gifts. And together, they celebrated the season’s true spirit—sharing joy—the best gift of all!
Julie, your story pops with such vibrant descriptions! A true holiday mystery with a surprise at the end that reminds us all about the season’s “true spirit.” Congrats!
Thank you, Mona!
Great job with this Julie! You definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! Love the fruity mystery!
Aww. Thanks so much. Hugs.
what a sweet story – I was going to blame it on the birds!
Thank you, Sue!
What a sweet ending, and I love how creatively the snowmen were decorated!
Thank you, Amanda!
The imagery of the snowmen is wonderful. I thought this was going to be the legend of The Fruit Cake. You did a good job raising my emotions (the rickety cabin, a frail woman hunched over a mound of fruit). The ending left me with a warm fuzzy feeling.
Aww, thanks, Jill!
LITTLE HELPER
By Susan Gleeson
WC 250
It was the day him and Gramps always put up Christmas lights, but that wasn’t happening
this year.
Gramps was sick,
in a quiet room,
in a big hospital,
in a faraway town.
Tim wondered; would their house be the only one in darkness?
Gramps called Tim his little helper.
What if…
Tim had an idea.
He would surprise Gramps and decorate all by himself. He could just see the look on Gramps face when he saw their house. Then Gramps would place his hand over Tim’s and together they would flip the switch and admire the splendor.
Tim stood candy canes along the path and hung snowflakes across the porch rails.
But…
Some boxes were too heavy.
Some lights got too tangled.
Some broke by accident.
Lifting Holly Jolly Snowman was impossible!
Tim was miserable. Their house didn’t look how he had imagined it. He ran inside and threw himself into Gramps’ favorite chair and fell asleep dreaming of Gramps stringing lights and hoisting Holly Jolly. He heard Gramps whisper, “You did a fine job little helper. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Tim woke up smiling until he remembered he hadn’t done a fine job. He raced outside to try again, only to discover a truly astonishing sight. The house was aglow with lights.
But how?
That night, the hospital called, Gramps was doing better. He would be home soon. Tim couldn’t wait. Him and Gramps they sure would have a lot to talk about this Christmas!
What a sweet story!
Thank you Mandy.
What a nice surprise . . . Gramps got better! I was expecting the 1st Christmas without Gramps. Whew.
Thank you Jill. I wanted a happy ending.
Sweet story!
Thank you Rose.
The 12 Days of Mystery
by Cari Chamberlain
248 words
On the first day of Christmas, we have a mystery.
Dad’s daily read has vanished. Oh where could it be?
On the second day of Christmas, another thing goes poof!
Mom’s morning coffee, gone! Her tired eyes are proof.
Now the third day of Christmas rings in with a surprise.
Nothing’s gone or missing. Has our thief gotten wise?
But the fourth day of Christmas, the mischief’s back on track,
Granddad’s birding field guide: missing from his pack.
On the fifth day of Christmas, everyone is waiting, ready.
Sister wakes up crying, “Oh, no! Not my Teddy!”
On the sixth day of Christmas, Mom sighs, “I need a break.”
Our Christmas cheer might disappear. There’s way too much at stake!
Days 7, 8, and 9 go by, now I’m the family sleuth.
I’m sure that I can crack this nut, drumming up the truth.
But, alas! The missing things keep on multiplying.
By Day 10 it’s Grandma’s phone, and Sister won’t stop crying.
On the 11th day of Christmas I’ve got a working theory.
But, of course! My notebook’s gone, making things less cheery.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, the whole case comes untangled,
Beneath the tree, a pile of gifts: all the crook had wrangled!
“I wrapped all your favorites,” pipes the tiniest voice,
“I had to use the things you love, I didn’t have a choice!”
Now it’s Christmas morning. We laugh and all agree:
The gift of being together is all we’ll ever need.
So adorable, Cari! A true Christmas caper until the very end where you tie up everything so beautifully with so much heart! Love it!
Thank you, Jessica! Your encouragement means so much to me.
What a clever way to handle this prompt.
My favorite lines: the second day of Christmas . . . hahaha
Thank you! I think we can all relate to Mom!
Clever take on a favorite carol!
Thank you! I had so much fun writing it!
Cari, I love your sweet rhyming mystery story! I especially love on Day 11 when the sleuth’s notebook goes missing! Your ending is fantastic and highlights the true meaning of Christmas! Congrats!
Marvelous Christmas Carol and mystery mash-up!
’Twas the day before Christmas when a cat disappeared…
By Jodie Houghton
Christmas Eve, a poster appeared:
LOST CAT! Snowy is white, fluffy and friendly.
Please return to 111 Reindeer Lane.
Poor Snowy, I thought, alone at Christmas. I must find her!
Paw prints in the snow led me to Sooty… Spotty… and Scratchy (ouch!), but no Snowy.
That night, while I was warm in bed, she filled my nightmares: shivering and scared.
Meow!
Was I still dreaming?
Meow!
I tiptoed downstairs.
Meow!
My steps got quicker and quicker, until…
Two black boots, bright red trousers, a white beard, a red hat and a jet-black cat sat on top of it!
“Santa? Sooty?”
“Ah-Ah-Ahchoo!”, the cat sneezed and soot flew everywhere, leaving…
“Snowy!”
Santa smiled. “Snowy helps me every year,” he explained as Snowy purred. “My night vision is terrible!”
“But her owners think she’s lost. They’re worried!”
“Ah,” sighed Santa. “They must have stopped believing in me.”
“But… you’re real! Can’t you show them?” I asked.
Santa shook his head sadly. “I think we ought to get you home,” he said to Snowy, teary eyed. “But how will I deliver the remaining presents?”
“I’ll help!” I said, and with a “Ho-ho-ho” from Santa, we shot up the chimney, into the sleigh, into the sky and onto the roof of 111 Reindeer Lane. Snowy rubbed goodbye to Santa before trundling towards the chimney but, before she vanished, I tied a golden bow and gift-tag to her collar.
Christmas morning, her owners had added bright red letters to the poster:
FOUND… BY SANTA!
I hit enter instead of Shift-enter and there’s meant to be a paragraph break after ‘collar,’ and before ‘Christmas’. Doh! I don’t think I can edit it?
I think I fixed it? But if it’s not right, let me know!
You’re an absolute star! Thank you 🙂
I had to giggle with the line: My night vision is terrible. I’m a sucker for humor. Especially when it comes unexpectedly.
Thanks for reading, Jill 🙂
This is such a fun piece! I love that Snowy helps Santa every year! Well done!
Thank you 🙂
Hahaha! I thought I was sending this to my friend (same name as you!). —Jill
>
A Merry Mix-up (250)
By Thomas Christie (Age 8)
On Christmas Eve Santa was hustling and bustling in his workshop and the reindeer stalls because one of them was sick. The elves could tell that Santa was getting worried not just about the sick reindeer but about being able to get all the presents to all the children. Santa went into the house with Mrs. Clause to try and relax and think of a solution.
The elves were shocked when it was time to leave as there were now eight Santas and one reindeer. “It must be a mad scientist that did this!” exclaimed the elves. They couldn’t figure out how to hook up the Santas to the sleigh or teach the reindeer to drive it. They went back to get all the presents and put them into the sleigh.
Twinkle the elf could see that all her fellow elves were getting very nervous about how this Christmas was going to work out. She decided she couldn’t let them keep worrying about it and so she had to confess.
“I was only trying to help” she started to say. She explained that she thought she could use her elf magic to make a duplicate of a reindeer to take the sick one’s place. She accidentally hit Santa instead and when she tried to reverse it, she hit a reindeer by mistake. “That was a good idea Twinkle, but we need to correct it”, said Holly the Elder Elf. She used her advanced magic to get Christmas back on track.
Awww, this is such a cute idea! I can just picture 8 tiny santas pulling a sleigh with a red-nosed reindeer in the driver’s seat.
So fun! I’d love to see 8 Santas pulling the sleigh. 🛷 I wonder what a North Pole version of a mad scientist would be?
The visual of that many Santas is fantastic. Thank you for entering the contest.
Thank you Susanna! This is always so much fun.
THE DARK STREET
By Linda Staszak. 242 words
Once upon a time, in a town bubbling over with holiday cheer, there was one dark street.
It hadn’t always been that way, and nobody knew why it changed. But—there wasn’t a single twinkle light to be seen.
One cold December morning as the people rushed from their houses, they found candy canes looped over their doorknobs.
“Did you do this?” they asked their neighbors.
“Not me.”
The next morning they woke up to see sparkling ornaments in their trees.
“Who did this?”
Everyone shrugged.
Every morning after that, they eagerly peeked outside to discover what new surprise had been left for them.
“Who’s doing this?”
People glanced around and giggled. “Elves?”
Then one day, a life-sized reindeer stood proudly in every yard.
The children went out to look at them. Then a grown-up appeared, and another, and soon they discovered that every reindeer was different.
“It’s Santa’s whole team!” they exclaimed.
Everyone’s eyes sparkled. “We have to put them in the right order.”
The whole street was busy arranging reindeer when someone noticed another surprise.
“It’s Santa’s sleigh!” That made the display perfect.
The people looked at each other, grinned, and dashed to their houses. Moments later, the street was aglow with colored lights. Music filled the air, and children filled the sleigh.
The holiday spirit had returned.
No one ever knew where everything came from—it remained a mystery. But it didn’t matter—the dark street was gone forever.
So lovely! Like a Christmas version of The Night Gardener. I like that the originator of all that holiday joy remains a mystery–though perhaps there’s fun room for an illustrator that way, too!
Thanks for reading it!
Short and sweet. I wonder who did it!
Katie’s Secret-on-Secret Santa Day WC 250
By Sharon McCarthy
Today, Katie’s class picked their Secret Santa.
The teacher announced the rules.
*Close your eyes.
*Pick a name from the present box.
*Read it silently.
All the children giggled or made mad sounds like, “Ugh.” Katie stayed quiet. Her friend was a secret because she couldn’t read.
“Don’t forget to bring recyclables tomorrow to make your gifts,” said the teacher.
That night Katie dreamed of being a writer. Every child could read her story because she would draw it out.
In the morning, Katie thought, I’ll make a picture book!
Katie collected old magazines and cards to recycle.
At craft time, the teacher announced more rules.
*Share the recyclables.
*Have fun making your gift.
*Appreciate the present you’ll receive.
After everyone finished, the teacher announced, “Secret Santa time!”
Everyone hurriedly exchanged gifts. Katie’s best friend, Erin, approached.
“I’m your Secret Santa friend? I wrote you a poem!”
Katie only saw scratchy lines. “It’s wonderful!”
Erin looked around. Katie took a chance. “This is for you! I made a picture book!”
“Beautiful!” said Erin. “I wish I could draw!”
“Thanks,” Katie said sadly.
“What’s wrong?”
Katie whispered in Erin’s ear. Then Erin whispered in Katie’s ear.
“I have an idea,” said Katie. “If I help you with your secret, will you help with mine?”
“Let’s do it!” Erin shouted.
At the craft table, Erin told Katie what to draw for her poem, and Katie told Erin what words to write for her picture book.
Secret Santa Day revealed their secret talents!
I love Katie and Erin’s compassion for one another and how they work together to solve their problems. Great message!
I loved this sweet holiday story. Even better that it is about writers! Well done, Sharon!
Nice!
How wonderful they found a way to help each other!
Happy Holidays!
THE MISSING JINGLES
By Linda Staszak. 249 words
Elwood was the luckiest elf at the North Pole—he got to polish the Christmas Eve jingle bells.
He took the first harness down, and the bells tinkled merrily, but…
“Oops, forgot my candy cane.”
A minute later he returned and noticed…
The second hook was empty.
He called to the reindeer. “Who took their harness?”
Elwood picked up the polishing cloth and…there was another empty hook.
“Somebody’s playing tricks,” he laughed and dashed away. “Need more cocoa.”
More hooks were empty when he got back.
“Not funny—it’s polishing day,” he yelled.
He searched the whole barn—nothing but hay. And then, his curly toes drooped…
All the harnesses were gone.
Elwood paced back and forth. His eyes were wild.
“How could they disappear?”
He ran outside, but all he found were rabbit tracks—hmmm…
And—one jingle bell—hmmm…
The tracks lead to a snowy burrow, and Elwood peeked inside. “Just a bunny.”
Walter Rabbit’s ears twitched. “I’m an Arctic Hare.”
Elwood shrugged. “I’m looking for bells.”
Then he leaped and pointed. “Aha—there they are—behind you!”
Walter thumped his foot. “I need quiet to hibernate.”
“But it’s Christmas Eve,” Elwood squealed. “The reindeer need bells tonight.”
Walter wiggled his whiskers.
Elwood scowled.
Heads together, they had a spirited discussion, and…
Elwood grabbed the bells and jingled happily back to the barn.
And just in time. Head Elf poked his head in. “How’s it going?”
Elwood’s eyes twinkled. “Fine, but—I need some berries and earmuffs.”
This is a fun mystery and so well-written, Linda! Elwood is a funny character!
Thank you so much!
So cute! I love the grumpy Arctic hare, and Elwood’s problem solving.
Thanks!
Great ‘showing’: his curly toes drooped (great visual)
The Mysterious Glitter Tale Trail
By Sharon O. Blumberg
250 Words
Porter and Holly, best friends, sat on the floor of Holly’s kitchen. They were
surrounded by markers, scissors, colorful construction paper, and glitter. They worked on Christmas cards. They hoped to send good wishes to the residents at Green Pines Senior Home.
“We need more glitter,” Porter declared. He was holding up a card with a snowman. “Christmas cards need sparkle!”
Holly rummaged through the supplies. “I know we had some!”
They scoured the room. They overturned cushions and peered under the table.
Porter squinted. “Holly, this is no ordinary case. This is… the Case of the Missing Glitter!”
“Very mysterious,” Holly agreed. “Let’s follow the clues.”
Porter spotted a faint trail of golden flecks, leading to the hallway. “Aha! Our culprit left a trail!”
They tiptoed along the trail. Holly whispered, “Maybe there’s a Glitter Bandit.”
They turned the corner to find Fluffles, wagging his tail with glitter sparkling all over his nose, paws, and tail. Fluffles had chewed up the tube, and glitter had spread all over the floor beside him.
“Case closed,” Holly said.
With Fluffles glitter-free and the floor swept, the two friends got back to work. Their cards,
though glitter-less, now had more room for messages of warmth, kindness, and Christmas cheer.
When they delivered the cards, Mrs. Wishsome, one of the residents, said, “This is one of the
best Christmas cards I’ve ever received!”
Porter and Holly high-fived.
Even without glitter, they solved a mystery and spread holiday joy and love.
What a lovely story and filled with the joy of what Christmas is really about. Well done!
Thanks so much, Betty, that’s so kind of you, I really appreciate it!
Warmest wishes,
Sharon B.
I enjoyed this sweet story!
Thanks so much Sarah, I really appreciate your sweet comment! So very thoughtful and kind!
With warmest wishes,
Sharon B.
Glitter can’t beat a handwritten sentiment! Sweet story!
Dear Judy,
Thanks so much, that means so much to me, and I love your story, too, The Very Last Gift, it was so amazing and clever, I love your stories so much!!!
With warmest wishes,
Sharon B.
Once the culprit was revealed, I imagined little glitter paw prints. Sweet.
Dear Jill,
Thanks so much for commenting, I really appreciate it so much! Good luck to you on your story, too. I love the concept of the Christmas Pie, so adorable and sweet! 🙂
With warmest wishes,
Sharon B.
No ‘L’
by Betsy J. Bennett 245 words.
“Martin, what are you doing under the kitchen table?”
“Hiding,” Martin answered. He stared up at his older brother. “I don’t want anyone to find Lolly.”
“Who are you hiding from?”
“Santa Claus.”
“Santa Claus! That makes no sense,” Owen said.
“I’m trying to solve a mystery and Lolly and I are hiding until I solve it.”
“What’s the mystery?”
“Why does Santa hate the letter ‘L’?”
“What?”
“How many Christmas carols say ‘No ‘L’? Loads of them. I’ve been making a list.”
“Checking it twice?”
“Ha, ha. Listen: We wish you a Merry Christmas has no ‘L’. Happy New Year has no ‘L’.”
“So you’re hiding with the dog?”
“Lolly’s name starts with an ‘L’ with two ‘L’s’ in the middle. I’m sure Santa is after her. I’ve got to protect her. I love her.”
“Well, based on your thoughts, can you La-la-la-love?” Owen asked.
“Ok,” Martin huffed. “She makes me happy. We have fun. We run together. How’s that for No ‘L’? We’ll wait until Valentine’s Day to mention love.”
“Anything else?”
“Couple of things,” Martin continued. “Santa gives gifts or presents, if you prefer. Same thing, no ‘L’.”
“Anything else?”
“I wish Gracie went by her middle name. Then Santa could take our little sister away.”
“Ellen. I think Gracie’s safe. I don’t think No ‘L’ means what you think it means.”
“Put the tablecloth down,” Martin ordered. “If I see Santa, I’m telling him Gracie’s middle name…and hiding Lolly.”
Such a sweet story. You got right into a child’s mind for sure!
Thanks for your comment. I loved writing it.
Funny! I like the back-and-forth between brothers.
Thanks!
Funny and clever!
thanks!
You had me at the title! Nice take on the prompt.
The Case of the Missing Milk and the Christmas Cookies
By Patti Ranson
Word Count: 249
They’re gone, and Santa is coming tonight!
Only crumbs left on the cookie plate? The milk glass tipped over and empty? Christmas is a disaster!
I know what you’re thinking, but look around. There are no gifts, so Santa hasn’t come yet
The thief must be here somewhere.
Purr, purr. purr
Shortbread loves to be carried. Maybe she can help solve this mystery.
Shhh. Do you hear that? Mice!
See that mouse hole? Peek quietly because these guys are sneaky and fast. They could escape with a snap of the fingers if I only knew how to snap them.
Hmmm? Are they really asleep?
My gecko, Comet? He’s stealthy and fast. Is he fed up with worms and water? Does he have a secret sweet tooth?
The dog? Maybe.
There’s Rudy in his usual spot. He would be my prime suspect, except he doesn’t go looking for food anymore. He waits for extras to drop. He sleeps a lot, usually beside the fridge, just in case. Could he be fooling us?
The fish? Do fish even like cookies and milk? Sure, let’s look, but don’t get your hopes up.
Hmmm?
Quick, I hear something on the roof! I’d better refill these and get back to bed fast!
So, who’s the thief?
Who loves to chase mice and dive for fish all the time because they are delicious? Who was not interested tonight?
Shortbread! Because Shortbread ate the cookies and milk!
Hahaha. The thief must be here somewhere. Purr. Purr. Purr. (so innocent!)
Adira, Royal Detective
by Lauren N. Simmons
250 words
3 BCE, Jerusalem
I may be quiet, but I see everything. That is how I came to be a Royal Detective, at age 12, in the court of King Herod.
One day, foreigners from the East visit the king. They ask, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose.”
I could see King Herod wringing his hands at the mention of “the king of the Jews.” Because that is him. No one else. But he steadies his hands and remains calm. “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, tell me. Then I can go and pay my respects to him.”
King Herod summons me later. “Adira, follow them and tell me when they find this king.”
The visitors left. How do I solve this case?
Once in Bethlehem, I find the star, and I go to where its beams lead. It is the house of a poor young couple, with a young child, maybe a one-year-old. They are in awe as the visitors from the East present them with gifts, including gold.
I shiver against the cold evening breeze. The young child waddles to me and hands me his swath of linen.
As I leave Bethlehem, I come to where the road separates, and I must choose between two paths. I must choose between the road to Jerusalem, King Herod’s palace, and another life.
I choose the other road.
Lovely story 🙂
Oh, thank you for reading and commenting!
So unique––combining a detective mystery with the Three Kings’ visit to Jesus. Also an awesome ending.
Thank you so much, Jill!
Wow. I wouldn’t think to write a a religious, historical short story from this perspective. This is thought provoking!
Thank you so much! It was fun to write something a little different from the usual narrative. 🙂
Fabulously original POV!
Thank you so much for reading and for the comment!
Such a thought provoking story. Makes you want to read more. This would be a great beginning for a chapter book. Nice!
Thank you for reading and for your kind words! Yes, I had fun writing this piece and would love to make it into something longer!
Love this take on a well-known tale!
Thank you so much, Maria!
The 12 year old deserved the title, Royal Detective. Nice: followed the star.
Thank you, Jill! 🙂
Jack’s Farm Stand
By Shaunessy Sinnett (243 words)
I should have known better. It’s my fault, you see,
For I shopped at Jack’s Farm Stand for my Christmas tree.
You know Jack from the Beanstalk? A curious gent.
But he gave me a discount of 40 percent.
And at that price, my gosh, I bought ten Christmas trees!
And I planted all ten with remarkable ease.
But the very next day what I saw wasn’t right:
The trees doubled! They tripled! Quadrupled at night!
I had grown a great maze over six levels high
With a pop-up elf workshop perched up in the sky?!
But my troubles weren’t over: folks wandered inside!
And they toured the workshop amazed and wide-eyed:
They found cookies and cupcakes stacked high on the shelves!
They found games made for kids by the quick-working elves!
They found toy trains on tracks, and stuffed dragons, and dolls!
They found jump ropes, and puzzles, and bubbles, and balls!
There were holiday light shows! Choirs were singing!
An Elf band had silvery Christmas bells ringing!
And the big guy in red? Oh yes, he was there too.
He was making a ruckus like most Santas do.
“How joyful! How marvelous!” the people would say.
But imagine this 24 hours a day?!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Christmas a lot.
But a tree-maze-and-workshop? Oh that I did not.
So take my advice, and please note: by NO means
Should you buy trees from boys known for magical beans!
Love the tie-in to the fairy tale!
Thanks so much! Kids who are familiar the fairytale may not find the occurence overly mysterious/strange… The narrator should have known better!
Ha ha, love this!
Thank you!
Oh, this is so much fun!!! What a creative twist on a classic fairytale! Well done! 🙂
Thank you, Jessica! 🎄🎅🏻
Thanks for the giggles!
Thanks for reading! ♥️
Terrific! Very creative.
Thank you ☺️
Jack’s beans are magical. Nice images. Fun.
Thank you! ☺️
This is so clever and fun, Shaunessy!
Aww thank you, Susan 💕
A Most Perplexing Holiday (245 words)
By Amanda Fletcher
Zork and Bork from planet Spork arrive on Earth December twenty-fourth.
Cruising through the stratosphere, Zork reads the Intergalactic Guide. “On this night, Earthlings leave sweets and bovine extract as an offering to a giant who slides down their smoke chutes, eats the offerings, then trashes their dwellings.”
Zork points to a picture of wrapping paper and empty boxes littering an Earthling floor.
“No wonder. Bovine extract sounds revolting!” Bork shudders. “The Earthlings enjoy this ritual?”
Zork shrugs. “They only think with one brain.”
Blinking three eyes, Bork nods. “We must uncover the mystery of this bizarre behavior.”
One second later, Zork and Bork teleport into the dark living room of an unsuspecting Earthling. A plate of sweets and a glass of bovine extract sits near the smoke chute hole. They dash behind a sitting apparatus to wait.
Falling soot alerts them to the giant’s descent. Red and white fur emerges and the aliens clasp their tentacles in fright.
Wiry white chin spurs! Only two eyes!
The giant scarfs down the sweets. It slurps the extract.
BUUUUURRRRP!
It places colorful boxes beneath a tree that is for some reason located indoors.
And then . . . “Ho, ho, ho!”
The giant leaves.
Zork stares at Bork. Bork stares at Zork.
Afraid to risk life and tentacle to the impending violence by even more frightening creatures, Zork and Bork teleport back to their ship. Zork adds an asterisk to the Intergalactic Guide.
*Avoid Earth in December.
What a cute sci-fi take on the Night before Christmas. I was grinning at ‘bovine extract’. Well done, Amanda!
Thanks! It was fun to think like an alien…
This is so clever! Christmas does seem highly unusual from an extraterrestrial perspective 🙂
ha ha, indeed. thanks for the kudos!
Clever and unique! I loved reading this. (Fans of Nathan Pyle’s Stranger Planet will love this story a LOT!)
ha ha, yes! I love those! I was also highly influenced by the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Fun! Outsider POV is so entertaining. (Although you do run the risk of kids saying, ‘yeah, why DO we do that?’ and then you’re off to the races! 🤣)
Ummm….magic? when in doubt, I always go with magic.
🤣 Works for me! (though only sometimes for my six year old. 🤪)
Oh my gosh, this is hilarious. I’m still laughing over bovine extract. Great job!
Thanks! It was between that and bovine juice. It was hard to decide which sounded more revolting…
You had me at Zork and Bork! Really well done, Amanda! I love your alien take on Santa Claus!
All the better with your helpful critique! Thanks, Michelle!
This was so fun to read. I love the musings of the aliens and their horror at our culture! I think they need to return for Easter – imagine what they’d think then! LOL. A great story. 🙂
Easter, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day…hmmmm, that’s not a bad idea!
I love this, Amanda! Super work on the tiny changes that pumped up the humor!
Thanks! So glad I’ve got you in my corner as a critique partner!
Hi Amanda. I finally made it back to these. I’m not surprised at all by your theme choice. What great names Bork and Zork! I love thinking about an alien perspective on Christmas craziness. Nicely done. Hope all is good.
Thanks for the kudos, Marcia. You’re right, this is very on-brand for me, lol.
Hilarious! Great job on this!
Thanks, Melissa! I had no idea these contests would be so fun. Thanks to you and Michelle and Lisa for turning me on these!
My favorite line: Wiry white chin spurs! (hahaha)
Thanks! This was an absolute joy to write! I’m trying to think of a good alien word for “sweets” for my PB adaptation. Maybe sugary gluten circles…
Hi Susanna,
I’m having trouble posting. I went to the comments section but there was no place to hit submit. Is it possible for you to post for me?
I’ve attached a WORD document.
Thank you so much!
Lucia Lemieux
The Dastardly Christmas Machine
By Brian Gallagher
250 Words
It was Christmas eve, and the North Pole, usually abuzz with activity like a beehive, was quiet as a frozen lake.
It felt more like the day after Christmas than the day before. Why, you may ask. Why, no one quite knew.
Santa lay in his bed feeling ill as Mrs. Claus tended to him. She could feel it wasn’t just a cold, it was the spirit of Christmas itself that was lacking.
Mrs. Claus told an elf to watch over Santa while she left to figure out what was causing this pall over Christmas.
She braved icy winter winds. Even the abominable snowmen were no match for her as she dashed about them in her magical set of skis.
Lights appeared ahead. What could it be? Onward she trundled through the deepening snow.
A large contraption with metal pipes and wires that twisted and twirled. She could feel its sinister design.
“Who’s there?” a voice shouted from atop the whirring machine.
“Mrs. Claus and who are you?” she declared and demanded.
“Professor Zubidyte! Come closer and all your Christmas cheer will be zapped clean.” he roared with laughter as he focused the machine’s power from the world to her.
“Try as you might young man, but my cheer is boundless.” She smiled.
Her heart pumped out an endless stream of joy. His machine began to creak and steam. For it could not harness all of Mrs. Claus’s spirit. Until it collapsed, and the professor laid atop the crumpled heap.
I’m glad Mrs. Claus’s Christmas Spirit was no match for the joy sapping machine!!! I can see this story expanding into a chapter book.
Superb opening line! Mrs. Claus doesn’t get enough credit (until now).
Colonel Coal
By Brian Gallagher
243 Words
It was a crisp early Christmas morning when Santa was out delivering presents to all the good girls and boys.
He landed on a rooftop, grabbed his sack of toys, and headed to the chimney. Santa leapt expecting his elven magic to whisk him inside. Instead, he was stuck awkwardly on top of the chimney.
His reindeer team gave a snicker. “Had old Nick lost his groove?” they wondered.
Santa climbed out.
“What in the world happened to my Christmas magic?” he thought.
He dropped his bag of toys, and something rolled out to the edge of the roof. Santa walked over carefully and plucked the object from the gutter.
“Coal!” he exclaimed holding it in his red mittened hand. Coal was Santa’s weakness. That and cookies, but those were at least a yummy treat he could eat! Coal sapped the strength of Saint Nick.
“Who would play such a dirty trick?” he asked.
Just then he heard the roar of an airplane overhead. Santa saw it was a silver B-29 Superfortress. Emblazoned on it was a large picture of coal and the eagle wings of a colonel’s insignia.
“Colonel Coal!” He shouted. “I should’ve known.”
“Christmas is mine old man! Hahahaha” Colonel Coal bellowed out of the cockpit window.
Will Christmas be cancelled? Will children only receive coal as presents? Only if you misbehave. The more kindness you share this season, the stronger Santa will be to stop that mean Colonel Coal.
Shades of James Bond and Superman in this fantastic story. Who knew coal was Santa’s kryptonite? Awesome story, Brian!
Thanks!
This is such a fun story and a great read aloud! I love Santa’s new archnemesis, Colonel Coal! Congrats, Brian!
Thank you!
How fun! A spy story for the holidays with a cliffhanging ending! I loved it. And I love that coal has a different role to play in this tale. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I was actually relieved the coal wasn’t put in there BY Santa . . . like poor Charlie Brown at Halloween. Nice take on the prompt.
HAPPY JOLABOKAFLOD!
By Jill Lambert
WC: 245
On Christmas Eve morning, Santa yawned his way into the kitchen. Next to his breakfast was a note: Happy Jolabokaflod!
“What does that mean?” Santa wondered. It sounded slightly familiar. He called for Mrs. Claus, but she was out in the workshop, organizing the elves for Santa’s busiest night of the year.
“Ho! Ho! Ho! I’d better go!” Santa blurted. He grabbed some carrots and hoofed it to the reindeer barn. A sign greeted him: Happy Jolabokaflod!
“Hey, who hung this up? Was it that Abominable Snowman?” Dasher, Dancer, and Vixen wagged their tails. Rudolph’s nose blinked on and off. They were no help. “Oh, well. Gotta hustle!” Santa said.
He harnessed the reindeer to the sleigh and looked up just as the boisterous elves approached, tugging his gargantuan sack of gifts. A tag dangled from the drawstring: Happy Jolabokaflod!
“Did that trickster Jack Frost put that tag up there?” Santa demanded. The elves shrugged. The mystery would have to wait. Time to fly!
After a long Christmas Eve delivering presents around the world, Santa returned to find a cup of steaming hot chocolate next to his favorite chair … and a note: Happy Jolabokaflod! But this time it was attached to a gift –– a cozy mystery to read by the fire. Santa’s favorite.
Mrs. Claus winked. “Happy Christmas Book Flood, my dear! Remember how we discovered this book exchange custom on our vacay in Iceland?”
The perfect way to celebrate a job well done.
I love this, Jill! For me, Christmas is all about getting new books. Those are the best gifts. I love all the other winter characters making an appearance as well – the reindeer, the Abominable Snowman, Jack Frost – so fun! Well done!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
books always make the best gifts!
I agree! Thanks for reading.
Loved this! I couldn’t wait to learn what Jolabokaflod meant, and then was pleasantly surprised to be reminded of that delightful custom. A great, sweet twist.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love the idea of a “book flood” – a friend and I send books to each other every Christmas, because we love the coziness of a mug of hot tea, a quilt, and a good book! Love that Santa’s reading, too.
Thank you, Sue. I appreciate your kind comments.
Jill, this is stellar and I learned something new! Who knew that ‘JOLABOKAFLOD’ was a REAL thing?! You had me riveted til the end to find out what it meant. Well done!
Thanks so much, Michelle. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jill, this is wonderful. A fun ‘mystery’ with information about other parts of the world and how they celebrate Christmas. Throwing in winter characters was ‘icing’ on the tale. Well done!
Thank you, Susan. I’m glad you liked it!
Jill, this is adorable! I love it. What a fun mystery. I couldn’t wait to find out the meaning of Happy Jolabokaflod! Great Job!
Thank you for reading and your kind comments, Dawn. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Super fun story Jill – you had me at Jolabokaflod! I was captivated to keep reading to see just what it meant! Love your mystery story including Santa reading a mystery – of course! Very creative, and fun to read!
Thanks so much, Katie. I’m so glad you liked it!
Jill – Such a clever story! I love how it introduces children to the a book exchange tradition! I did not know about this tradition and it was such a fun way to learn about it!
Thank you for reading and for your kind comments.
Perfect . . . a story about books!
Thanks for reading. Books ARE the perfect gift!
I love all the holiday characters you included in the story. And the suspense! Great job, Jill. This was a fun read.
Thank you, Ashley! I appreciate you reading and commenting. Best of luck to you in the contest.
Cash for Christmas
By Shaunessy Sinnett (236 words)
I was standing on the landing,
During this misunderstanding,
While my family were demanding
Answers in this strange affair:
They’d gathered round the Christmas tree,
They’d opened gifts excitedly,
But every box and bag, you see,
Was full of money: I swear!
Dad was overly excited!
Mom, of course, she was delighted.
In their joy they were united,
Counting cash without a care!
But Juliette was quite upset,
And sulking low was brother Rhett,
And none was sad as young Odette:
Three kids in deepest despair.
‘Cause cash is great, but toys? Supreme.
So ruined was their Christmas dream,
By all those shining coins agleam:
It truly wasn’t fair!
And me? I couldn’t say a word,
For I knew why this had occurred.
This mystery is quite absurd.
How I wish I’d been aware…
I lost my tooth on Christmas Eve,
And tooth fairies, I do believe,
Have magic that can interweave
With Santa’s! Oh, what a scare!
And that’s when all the problems start:
The coins get wrapped like works of art,
And teeth end up on sleighs and dart
Straight into the snowy air!
So I’m the reason for this mess.
I’ve caused my siblings such distress!
And all because I’ve one tooth less,
Oh goodness, what a nightmare!
But when I think of all that dough,
It softens such a painful blow,
And I can buy my Nintendo
Now that I’m a millionaire!
This is hilarious! Love the rhyme scheme and the tooth fairy/Christmas combination. Fun story!
Thank you! I’m a big fan of Poe’s “The Raven” and wondered could I handle the challenge of trochaic octameter (which I think must translate to ‘torture for writers!’)
Love it, Shaunessy!
Thank you, Shuba! Who knew there were so many rhymes for “affair?!” Hehe! Ps. I enjoyed your story enormously.
Very funny, Shaunessy!
Thank you! ♥️🎅🏻🧚♀️
What a wonderful story about what we are kind of thinking about in the back of our heads. Taking time to really give is so much more heartwarming! Great job with this.
Such a fun surprise. I hope you turn this into a PB someday (you’d have a lot of leeway in pros).
Yes, I hope I can develop the idea a bit more!
WHERE’S HOME, TREE TOPPER?
by Shuba Mohan
WC 244
Carefully wrapped in pillowy satin, tucked under a swatch of cozy cashmere, and nestled in a deep red velvet box with a gold clasp, Ornament steadied herself against the booming bumps and jerky jostle of traveling with the other brown-paper-wrapped packages.
“I’ll be spreading love and light soon!” She dreamed of her glorious destination and imagined catching snowy droplets on her little, pink tongue. What magnificent tree would serve as her stage to shine? The White House tree? Rockefeller Center? North Pole? Disneyland? She twinkled at the mystery. Wherever her home, she’d shine her best to bring beauty to the world.
As her travels came to a halt, the lid lifted. A warm, silent breeze blew over her.
“Ta-da! I’m here!” she gleamed.
But soon, she sat outside on top of a bare, dry, twiggy tree.
Sand swirled. Coyotes howled. Cacti spiked.
Ornament dulled.
Day after day her little pink tongue only caught salty droplets filled with glum, not glow.
One day Eagle swooped. “Something bothering you?”
“This can’t be my home,” Ornament grumbled. “My beauty is meant for something greater.”
“Greater than the joy your presence inspires?” Eagle questioned and swayed.
Ornament listened to the wonderous, welcoming song carried on the breeze. The oohhs and aahhs of circling birds and slithering lizards, echoing from the surrounding rocks and canyons.
Her spark ignited in symphony. Her brilliance illuminating to rival the sunrise. She shared all the radiance she held, with her majestic desert home.
Glorious! I love this!
What an interesting perspective! So unexpected!
Such a nice story. Your descriptions are captivating. I really enjoyed this!
I appreciate your kind comment!
This Christmas story is so unique–– a personified ornament as the MC and a desert setting. I can picture a lovely full page spread at the end. Well done!
Thank you, Jill. I can picture the scenes too!
I live in the desert! Reminds me of Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree (that sits prominently in our living room). Nicely done.
THE VERY LAST GIFT
by Judy Sobanski 237 words
The very last house, it was now time to leave.
Old Santa had finished his job Christmas Eve.
But wait! What’s that box that was still in the sack?
Did he miss someone’s house? Would he have to go back?
He reread the label, S-A-N-T-A.
Santa took it, shook it and turned it each way.
Who did this? A mystery! Then out of the blue,
he thought of his wife’s twinkling eyes and he knew.
He picked up a cookie and took a big bite,
then opened the package that seemed very light.
Inside was a shirt that was covered with flowers,
and a note that said “BEACH WALK in less than ten hours!”
“Oh, Boy!” chuckled Santa. “the sea and the sand.
Now that’s what I call a real wonderland!”
He ate three more cookies and sat for a spell,
then checked on the shirt size, “Oh good, XXL!”
When Santa got home, Mrs. Claus was all packed
with all they would need for their trip—and in fact,
she was wearing a muumuu and glittered sunglasses.
“Get a move on old man, you’re as slow as molasses!”
“Did you buy airplane tickets?” Santa inquired.
She winked. “We’ve a sleigh—no tickets required!”
They hooked up a trailer to pull with the sleigh
and loaded the elves for a “group getaway.”
And off they departed each flaunting a grin,
to spend two whole weeks at the Holiday Inn – Waikiki!
Hehehehe! This story made me smile so much!
Thanks you!
Well deserved break for Santa!
He deserves it, right?!
This story made me smile what a fun read. I love Mrs. Claus getting some light shined her way and the rhyme is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Betty! I have a feeling Mrs. Claus is definitley the one who “gets it done!” 😉
This is adorable. The XXL bit made me chuckle.
Those cookies add up!
Ohhh I want a getaway just like this! So clever, love it!
Thanks, Amanda! I want a getaway to Hawaii, too!
I love the idea of a post-Christmas tropical get-away… arrived at by sleigh!
Thanks, Sue! Why fly commercial, right?
Oh my what a fun, fun twist! I would love to see pictures to this.
Thank you! I would love that, too!
Ha ha ha! the ending made me giggle out loud! Such a fun idea!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Marta!
Hi my friend! I loved this story, and the rhyming is great. Never easy to make it work that well. Good luck!
Thank you, Margaret. Good luck to you, too!
This is so much fun Judy. Congratulations.
Thank you so much!
Not only is the rhyme fantastic, but this story had me smiling the entire time. I couldn’t wipe the great big smile off my face. Well done.
Thank you, Jill. I’m glad it made you smile!
Such an adorable rhyming story. Well done!
Thank you, Claire!
Oh goodness all the visuals made me chuckle. Fun!
So clever! Great image of the elves in the sleigh. Good luck+
Who Stole Santa’s Boot?
by Meg Winikates (250 words)
This is the kitchen, smelling great,
where cookies slide right off the plate.
A chocolate boot-print on the floor—
and Mrs. Claus points to the door.
This is the spot beside the sleigh
where Santa tucks his boots away.
He turns to put his slippers on—
but suddenly, one boot is gone!
This is the fox who nabs the shoe
for playful kits to gnaw and chew.
This is the stoat who shocks the fox
(while Santa wanders in his socks)
and drags the boot along the ground,
delighted by this thing he’s found.
This is the owl that spooks the stoat,
who hides below as white wings float.
The owl swoops, the boot falls down,
and crashes into tunnel town!
These are the lemmings that scoot and swarm
into the boot, so safe and warm.
(This is St. Nick with chilly toes,
his glasses balanced on his nose,
requesting acrobatic elves
to search the closets, climb the shelves!)
This is the hare with legs so strong,
a boot hat on his ears so long,
leaping across a frozen brook—
(Where else can Santa think to look?)
This is the wise old caribou
who gently bends to sniff the shoe;
with boot between her teeth, she clops,
and near the stable-door it drops,
ready for Santa to retrieve—
barely in time for Christmas Eve!
“So where do you suppose it’s been?”
asks Mrs. Claus, and Santa grins.
“My dear, we must admit defeat,
and just rejoice they’re on my feet!”
This is so clever! A missing boot mystery with the rhythm and pattern of
This is the House That Jack Built!
Thank you! I had a lot of fun with it, I’m glad it works for you!
Fantastic, Meg! Such a joy to read.
Thank you! I blame my son’s fondness for Wild Kratts for all those arctic animals sneaking around. 😀
Love this -form, story, humor, et al!
Thanks so much!
Beautiful rhythm and rhyme – and so fun, too! Well done!
Thank you very much!
Love this clever, sing-songy rhyme. Well done!
Thank you!
Clever succession of animals – a fun story to illustrate!
Thank you! I would love to see what an illustrator would do with it!
This is just wonderful. Such a delightful, original story and I’m so impressed with the rhyming! Really terrific!
Thank you very much!
Lively and fun to read. So glad Santa found his boots.
Thank you so much!
This is terrific rhyming Meg. It reminds me of Jan Brett’s Christmas stories.
Now that’s a comparison to make me feel like I’m walking on air, thank you very much!
Yes! What a clever take on the prompt. Love it.
Thank you!
The Baker’s Surprise
By Marta Cutler
(250 words)
On Christmas eve morning, Lena went to the bakeshop for fresh buns for her mother only to discover it was locked.
“Locked?” said Mrs. Rumple.
“Tight as a drum!” said Mr. Grumple.
The villagers were shocked. The bakeshop never closed, especially on Christmas.
“Strange,” they said.
Even stranger were the sounds from inside.
Whizzing and whirring. Clanging and banging.
And the smells! Cinnamon and orange. Chocolate and peppermint. Nutmeg and caramel.
Before long, a crowd had gathered, drawn by the wonderous scents swirling through the village.
Even the King and Queen came to investigate.
“What is the baker baking?” everyone wondered.
Suddenly, a thundering BELCH from the chimney spit a giant cloud of sprinkles into the sky.
Everyone went quiet.
The bakeshop doors creaked open. The baker appeared, pulling something on a large cart.
The villagers gasped.
It was the biggest, most beautiful cake they had ever seen. It shimmered with icing and chocolate, gumdrops and twizzles. It was in the shape of a village. Their village. Down to the last cobblestone.
“Mama! I see our house!” said Lena.
“Merry Christmas everyone!” said the baker.
Everyone agreed the baker had outdone himself. Every bite of cake tasted different. People spent hours comparing flavors. Neighbours who’d ignored each other. Villagers who’d never spoken. It was all great fun.
The King and Queen gave the baker the highest royal medal in the land.
But what him happiest was watching all the villagers getting along.
And from that day onwards, they did.
I’d love a bite of that cake!
This is such a sweet story! Congrats!!!
Thank you so much for reading it!
I loved your story and the “sweet” ending!
Nothing like a good cake to bring people together. I love the chimney’s belch . . . so clever.
Snowman Wishes
248 words
Sarah Ringgenberg
Have you heard that if you make a snowman with the first snowfall of December and that snowman stands until midnight on Christmas Eve, you will be granted a special Christmas wish?
The first snowfall was the perfect kind of packing snow and Kam and her family built a snowman with all the usual parts. They added some special touches like blue marble eyes from her brother’s collection and two extra large buttons for his chest from grandpa’s old coat.
Every morning Kam imagined her Christmas wish and checked to make sure the snowman was still complete. She was alarmed when she started seeing pieces disappear! One day one of his marble eyes went missing. The next day a button on his chest was gone. She couldn’t risk canceling the Christmas magic with a snowman who was missing pieces!
She was determined to fix this situation. On Christmas Eve morning she put on her winter gear and hurried into the backyard to investigate. As Kam explored she spotted something unusual. Two squirrels were playing a game of catch with the blue marble eye. They seemed to be having so much fun; it didn’t seem right to take it away from them. Nearby she spotted the button! It had become the roof of a house for a small mouse. He looked so cozy snoozing under that button, she couldn’t take it either. She felt torn about her Christmas wish but then ran back into the house with an idea…
mystery ending got me!
I wonder what will happen next?
What a lovely story. A sweet nod to the creatures that share the snowman’s world and the heart of a child at christmas.
I hope Kam will still get her Christmas wish!
I like the legend . . . and the visuals. So sweet.
SANTA’S BELLY BUTTON
Christine Alemshah
[WC: 250]
Felix loved facts; the weirder, the better.
“Did you know wombat poop is square?”
“Did you know one pound of whale vomit is worth over $10,000?”
Felix’s favorite facts were about belly buttons.
“Did you know marsupials don’t have belly buttons?”
One day, Felix’s little sister had a question that stumped him.
“Does Santa have a belly button?”
Felix frowned. “I don’t know, but I will find out!”
Since Santa was a mammal, he must have a belly button.
Unless, of course, Santa was a marsupial.
What if Santa had a magical button?
Perhaps it dispensed hot chocolate and popped out marshmallows?
Could it be a tiny portal leading to his toy shop at the North Pole?
Or a tunnel that expanded to fit the entire Polar Express inside?
That would be fantastic.
Even if Santa had a regular belly button, that could be cool, too.
What if it’s an innie full of Christmas cookie crumbs?
Or an outie that looked like a giant snowball?
Maybe it glowed red like Rudolph’s nose!
Felix devised a plan to find out what Santa’s belly button really looked like.
On Christmas Eve, while Felix slept in his bed…
His button bamboozler popped open Santa’s coat. POP!
His sneaky camera snapped a photo. CLICK!
Leaving behind fact-finding proof. POOF!
On Christmas morning, Felix puzzled over his photo that showed…
An outie, or an innie.
A snowball, or a beard.
Holiday lights, or Rudolph’s nose.
“Well, I guess I’ll try again next year!”
Guess this one will “be continued next year” !🎅
Thanks of your kind comment! Yes! I wonder what Felix will come up with solve the mystery next time!
I can already hear the delighted laughter of kids as you read aloud this creative story!!! Love how this would inspire kids to find the answers to their own questions, and all the fun wonderings and gadgets you included, especially the “button bamboozler.” Congrats, Christine!
Thanks for your kind words, Mona! It would be fun to own a button bamboozler for sure!
Kid relatable for sure!
Aw, thank you!!
What an intrifling concept! I need to know, Christine!
Since questions are one of my favorite things in the world, Felix would be my kind of big brother! Love the rhythm of your story jam packed with so many creative ponderings. I too want to see how he tries to solve the mystery next year. I wonder if I could order a bamboozler on Amazon cause that sounds super cool.
Thanks, Janice! It kind of reminds me of a bedazzler but in reverse! It would be super fun if there were a place to order one!
The mystery continues… love it!
Thanks for the encouragement, Judy! I hope to continue the tale in the future!
What a unique take on Santa — love the focus on his belly button. Hilarious!
Thanks so much, Jill!!
Love the title! Looks like you mixed in some fiction. Well done.
NOTE: I can’t do the formatting here, but this is supposed to be a concrete poem, in the shape of its subject. At the end you’ll find out what it is!
The Biggest Gift (195 words)
There’s a box under the Christmas tree, a great big box addressed to me.
When I poke it, prod it, shake it like dice, its insides are as quiet as mice.
I hardly sleep a wink on Christmas Eve; that box in my head refuses to leave.
But at last I sleep, and at last I wake, and at last it is time to end this gift ache.
Mom hands me the box, her face all aglow; it’s the best gift ever, I know it, I know!
I rip off the paper along with the bow, peel six rows of tape off the package below,
And inside my big box what else do I find but another big box taped in similar bind!
Box after box Mom has boxed in this way; I’m ready to scream I don’t mind if I say!
But I still have hope, knock on wood. After all this trouble, it has to be good!
Look! A box with no wrapping to tear! There it is! At last! My gift is laid bare!
And all I can do is I sit and I stare…. My big gift turned out to be underwear!
Cute story..tricky mom! 🩳
Cute! I bet even cuter when the text itself looks like underwear. Well done!
Fun !
You kept me guessing. Unexpected ending. This took me back to my childhood. Mom was the best at disguising packages. Cute & fun to read.
You had me with the title! We absolutely need a chameleon Christmas story!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LUCIA
The Chrusciki (Crus-chee-kee)Thief
by Lucia Lemieux (241 words)
Mama doesn’t make American Christmas cookies.
No trees, no Santas, no wreaths, no stars.
We are Polish. We make Chrusciki—Angel Wings.
I love them, but they are not iced or decorated, like other Christmas cookies.
Mama rolls the dough thin, cuts, then folds into bow ties.
When fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar, they look like wings.
And taste light as a feather.
Mama made enough to last through the holiday.
But the next day, they were all gone!
“Who ate the Chrusciki?” Mama asked.
“I don’t know,” said my sister.
“I don’t know,” said my brother.
“I don’t know,” said my Busia, in Polish.
My Papa didn’t say anything. He pointed to his slim stomach.
“Where would I put them all?”
“Well, I know ONE of you is telling the truth,” said Mama. “I guess I’ll have to make more.”
Mama stirred and rolled, cut, and fried.
The next day, they were gone. AGAIN!
“Who ate the Chrisciki? asked Mama.
No one knew.
So, Mama made more!
But this time, she wrapped them in crinkly foil.
In the middle of the night, we awoke to a noise.
“It’s the Chrusciki thief! “ shouted Papa. “I know who it is!
But Flopsy, our Beagle, was outside.
When Papa came in, he found a hat on the ground. And a note:
“Thank you for the wonderful Chrusciki! You all get extra presents this year!”
Papa scrunched his eyes. “Santa?”
“Hooray!” We cheered.
Lucia, what a wonderful mystery about a delicious family tradition! The story, with its repeating lines are so fun to read aloud and your ending is a delight! Congrats!!!
Santa sure loves his cookies! Love this nod to your Polish heritage.
Ohhh, so that’s where the Chrusciki went! Cute story, Lucia.
Thank you for a story about a Polish tradition. My step-father was Polish. Fooled me . . . I thought the family was pretty smart to get more and more cookies!
Love this Chrusciki story- I am Polish, and we make them every year, for Christmas and Easter. Great way to integrate such an important cultural tradition. Thanks for writing it!
Your story is a wonderful window into a Polish Christmas tradition…the Chrusciki sound delicious! Mama’s interrogation is my favorite scene…very funny. Captivating mystery and a heartwarming story!
WHO STOLE THE CARROTS FROM THE COOKIE PLATE? By Marcia D. Williams (250)
I make a round circle on the plate. Peeled carrots, nine, for all Santa’s reindeer and Rudolf, with one sugar cookie in the middle.
I tried to throw carrots on our roof for them. Didn’t work. “Fwap” they hit the wall. Same with our ball thrower. I raced my retriever through the snow to pick them up again. “No, Sadie.”
My note says “Dear Santa, thanks for coming. The cookie is for you. Have a safe flight. Love, Sammie”. Mom helps with the spelling.
Now, I wait. Bedtime is fast. I sneak down, sit on our stairway. Mom and Dad are watching a movie in our back room. I hear a “click, click” from the kitchen. Then “boom” on the roof. But no Santa sliding down. Stockings are empty, no extra presents under the tree.
I stretch around the corner. “What? No carrots on the cookie plate. Who stole the carrots?” I quietly open the fridge door and count out nine more. I squeeze a handful of flour from our countertop tin. It slips through my fingers onto the floor and around the plate. Just a little bit. Then I head back to the stairway.
I’m in my bed when I wake up. I tiptoe downstairs in darkness. Santa came. My stocking is loaded. New presents are piled high.
The cookie plate walked across our table. It’s empty but all around are little spots. Streaky piles of wet smear the floor.
“Reindeer? No, not inside. Who stole the carrots, again?”
A carrot thief! Nice twist.
What a fun entry, Marcia! Glad to see you submitted 🙂
Thanks Amanda. You too. Hope all is well.
My favorite line: Mom helps with the spelling.
Thank you Jill. Mom’s and Dad’s are good at that.
GONE NUTS!
By: Tara Seahorn
Word Count: 248
Santa and the elves drug the tree in from the forest. Everyone helped decorate; it was beautiful!!
After decorating and celebrating, everyone said, “Good night,” and snuggled deep into their beds.
The next morning Christmas ornaments littered the floor, and Mrs. Claus’ famous divinity was pecanless.
“What happened here?!” Santa exclaimed.
“My divinity! The nuts are gone,” Mrs. Claus gasped.
They searched for answers.
This was nuts! Night after night, ornaments littered the floor, garland was pulled from the mantle, the nuts were missing from the treats, and…
The nut dish was empty.
“What’s going on?” asked Noel the elf.
How strange; the snacks were there; only the nuts were missing.
Santa questioned the elves and even the reindeer.
Mrs. Claus was the best cook in the world, so why only take the nuts?!?
After nights of nutty disappearances, Santa sat by the fire making his list and checking it twice…
Abby, check,
Andrew, check,
Anna, check…
BONK!
CRACK!!
Ornaments fell from the tree; a shadow moved across the mantle…
BOING!!!
Something jumped on Santa’s belly, “Ooomph!”
It dashed across the room and landed on the plate of walnut brownies.
Santa watched.
A squirrel sat on the plate, pulling walnuts from the brownies and stuffing his jaws.
Santa placed nuts next to his new friend. “So, you’re the mysterious visitor! Looks like you’ll be living with us now. Merry Christmas, little guy!”
That is how Santa solved the “Gone Nuts” mystery and made a new friend—Pistachio the squirrel.
Fun story!
thank you!❤️
My image of the squirrel eating the nuts is so cute. My mom made divinity every year my grandfather was alive. He liked the nuts, us kids preferred our candy without the nuts. Thanks for stirring up my memory.
thanks so much🥰
This is a fun story Tara. There’s a Mickey and Pluto golden book where Chip and Dale ride Mickey’s Christmas tree inside and cause all kinds of problems that Pluto is blamed for. This reminds me of that.
A SNEAKY CHRISTMAS EVE by Trinity Clark (246 words)
On Christmas Eve, Noel the Nutcracker stood proud (at four inches tall) with his peppermint sword guarding the North Pole’s Present Vault.
No nosey noses had ever gotten past—
CRINK! CLANK! CRUNK!
“Stop!” Noel warned the trespasser—but they didn’t stop.
Noel followed the trail of cookie crumbs and melted snow
past Wrapping Paper Pyramid
around Bow Bakery
and down Ribbon Lane.
“You there!” He pointed at the shadowy figure.
Noel grimaced
his wooden figure was too stiff to win this!
CLICK! The trespasser, who smelled oddly of cinnamon,
unlocked the present vault.
Noel’s heart surged with courage as he proclaimed, “YOU CAN’T STOP MEEEEEE!”
Noel slid in before the vault closed—THWACK!
Darkness settled around them.
Noel reached for his Fruitcake flashlight.
“Whoever you are…
…you are definitely on the naughty—
Santa?!” Noel gasped.
In Santa’s mischievous mitts? A present marked, “For Santa: Christmas Day”.
“Oh crumbles,” Santa sighed.
Noel stuttered, muttered, and downright shuddered but he knew what he had to do…
“Commander,” Noel called on his walkie-talkie. “We have a nosey nose in the vault. You’re going to want to see this.”
Commander was there in a blink of a reindeer’s eye.
“Well, well, well…” Mrs. Clause shook her head. “I’ll take that.”
Santa’s face went redder than his red suit.
Mrs. Clause tapped her foot
and gave Santa the look.
“Go to your sled!” Mrs. Clause said.
With that, Santa shuffled out with a pout.
Mrs. Clause chuckled, “He tries every year.”
I love that Commander is Mrs. Clause!
This is so cute! Love that Santa is caught red-handed!
Hahaha! Adorable story, Trinity.
I love all these clever holiday details! Fruitcake Flashlight, blink of a reindeer’s eye, so cute!
I adore the idea of a vault . . . and a nutcracker guard. How cute the nutcracker is only 4 inches tall.
thank you, Shaughnessy!
Jingles’ Lost Bells
By Amy LaMae Brewer
Word Count 245
After Thanksgiving Savannah could not wait to get out the holiday decorations.
Most of all, she wanted Grandpa’s bells for Jingles, the horse.
Savannah looked for the bells in the barn but they could not be found.
“Jingles’ bells are missing!” Savannah called running to the house.
“They will turn up,” Mother said.
Savannah and her little brother James searched every holiday box.
As the first snow fell the days became closer to having a sleigh ride to Grandma’s.
Father got ready the runners for the sleigh.
“But what about Jingles’ bells?” Savannah asked.
“Maybe they were sold at last spring’s barn sale?” questioned Father.
“Oh no!” cried Savannah.
One week til’ Christmas, Savannah wrote a letter to Santa.
Dear Santa,
Can you please help find Jingles’ bells? The ones that grandpa gave.
And can you give James a piano someday. He has a real heart for music.
Sincerely,
Savannah
Christmas Eve morning Savannah went to the barn. James came too.
Savannah looked at all the harness hooks. “No bells for Jingles.”
Turning to leave, they saw a boot leave the barn.
They ran to the open door and followed the footsteps in the snow.
Peering around the corner, a flash of red disappeared from their sleigh.
They heard a familiar jingle sound and rushed to see a gift box left on the seat.
Savannah carried the box to the house. “Look it’s Jingles’ bells,” they said, opening the box.
“O what fun!” said Mother.
Love, love, love the letter to Santa. I bet James did get a piano.
Well, James L Pierpont did write the song “Jingle Bells.” A little fun history with this story. Thanks for reading.
You have a heart-warmer here! Great story.
So glad you stopped by to read, thanks so much!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELLEN
The Nutcracker Detective
By Ellen Crosby
250 words
My most mysterious case
I just couldn’t crack.
Began with a snowman
And a little brown sack.
He dropped by my office
Quite in distress.
Your skills are required,
My life is a mess.
I’ve lost a great treasure,
It’s Christmas nigh.
I must find it, please,
He said with a sigh.
Nutcrackers are famous
For their sleuthing skill.
“You are my last hope!”
He cried with a shrill.
Tell me what happened.
What did you lose?
It’s a little brown sack
But there are no clues.
What is inside?
Was it stolen or lost?
“Snowman magic,” he sniffed.
Fancy, flurry, and frost.
Without this magic
Christmas Day won’t be white.
Entrusted with the bag
Now, it’s nowhere in sight
My friend, never fear!
I have my bag of tricks
To sniff out and find
Your bag of snow magic mix.
Let’s search inside places
Where gnomes like to play,
Where elves often hide toys,
Where kids sled and sleigh.
We went to the hills
And deep in the wood.
We tramped and we trudged.
We did all we could.
My nutcracker brain
Thought long and hard.
We tried the train station
And everyone’s yard.
The longer we searched
Greater grew our dismay.
The magic bag was gone.
Will it snow Christmas Day?
The next day I awoke
To a bright, sparkly day.
I went to the window
Saw a snowy display!
How did it happen?
No magic bag was found.
Yet a miracle took place
To celebrate all ‘round!
THE MISSING STAR
By Judy Caldwell Hughes
246 Words
Two days before Christmas Mom said to pick up. Grams and Gramps would be coming soon.
Clanging toys, glittery candy, and hands-off knick-knacks begged for attention. But then I saw that the star of Christmas was missing!
I looked behind camels, outside the stable and under our rug. No tracks, no map. Just poof, gone.
I asked my sister what she knew. We both scratched our heads. Then planned what to do.
We checked our pockets. Searched our tall tree. Opened the garbage: It stunk, pee-ew.
What could have happened to the most important star? Was it an inside job?
We made signs, then sang out for help.
Baby brother crawled into the room. Could he give us a clue?
But he was too busy jingling bells.
When Katy Kitten batted her ball down the hall, we followed her tail. Her trail led us to her kitty litter. We pinched our noses, but found nothing there.
We almost asked Mom, but then Doodles our dog bounded over to lick us. Soon he sniffed candy and the next thing we knew, he gobbled some down.
All of a sudden our eyes lit up. We dashed to Doodles’ bed. We spied squeaky bones and stinky socks. But right in the middle of Doodles’ treasures we found Baby Jesus. We bathed and then laid the Star of Christmas back in the manger.
Doodles helped remind us that Jesus, the reason for Christmas, should be the center of our celebrations.
MYSTERIOUS CRIME AT THE NORTH POLE
By Mike Flowers
170 words
It’s been a good run, but it’s come to an end.
Dear Santa, I hope you’ve got savings my friend.
I’m taking your workshop, your reindeer, and sleigh.
I creep through the window while you’re far away.
The place looks abandoned. No reindeer, that’s right.
They’re pulling your sleigh on this last Christmas night.
I’ll still get the workshop, the cookies, and toys.
Big sorry to all of you good girls and boys!
I used to be good, but then Santa messed up.
He brought me an Xbox instead of a pup.
Oh sure, I’m allergic to dogs. But, so what?!
I just want a cute little cuddly mutt.
But no, good ol’ Santa brought dirt bikes instead.
A drone and gold coins—all this junk that won’t shed.
So Christmas is over. The last one is here.
Oh no, it’s the elves! When did you guys appear?
I’ll see myself out—like those two other times.
But I’ll be back, Santa! You’ll pay for your crimes!
This made me giggle. Well done!
I CANNOT wipe the grin of my face. Well done!
He has done this before??! Santa, this kid needs a dog and ummm, allergy shots for Christmas!
The Maltese Latke
by Jennifer Tarr
WC: 250
I was burning the midnight oil when a crinkling alerted me to a note under my door:
If you want to see Shamash again, bring your gelt to the docks.I put on my jacket and went outside. The city was cold and wet, but I wasn’t.
The name’s Menorah. Molly Menorah. Shamash is my partner in crime fighting.
I went to the all night diner for a cuppa joe and a clue.
“You seen this pup?” I asked.
“Last I saw him, he was hot on the trail of the Maltese Latke.”
The Maltese Latke? I’d heard rumors, but no one had seen hide nor hair of it in years.
If the crooks that had Shamash were after the Maltese Latke, I’d need some serious gelt.
I stopped by the dreidel tables.
Nun. Nun. GIMMEL!
I took my winnings and headed to the docks.
When I got there, the only birds in sight were cops.
“You seen this pup?” I asked.
“Ain’t seen a soul.”
My next stop was Maccabee Lanes. Some of the dockhands bowled there after work. Maybe they’d seen something the coppers hadn’t.
The dockhands had found a bone, but no signs of shredded potato and no signs of my lost bud.
I worked the case for eight days and eight nights.
I’d just about given up hope when a miracle restored my faith in this rotten city: “Shamash!”
I never did find out what happened.
But if the Maltese Latke ever resurfaces, we’ll be ready.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
… not to mention, clever 😉
Thank you so much! It was a blast to write.
Love this twist on the Maltese Falcon! A noir tale for the holidays. Well done and lots of fun. 🙂
Cute, like a crime novel for kids 🙂
fun! and love the style… so much like listening to Joe Friday narrate just the facts.
Such a fun story!
Fun to visualize. Clever.
The Case of the Missing Milk and the Christmas Cookies
By Patti Ranson
Word Count: 249
They’re gone, and Santa is coming tonight!
Only crumbs left on the cookie plate? The milk glass tipped over and empty? Christmas is a disaster!
I know what you’re thinking, but look around. There are no gifts, so Santa hasn’t come yet
The thief must be here somewhere.
Purr, purr. purr
Shortbread loves to be carried. Maybe she can help solve this mystery.
Shhh. Do you hear that? Mice!
See that mouse hole? Peek quietly because these guys are sneaky and fast. They could escape with a snap of the fingers if I only knew how to snap them.
Hmmm? Are they really asleep?
My gecko, Comet? He’s stealthy and fast. Is he fed up with worms and water? Does he have a secret sweet tooth?
The dog? Maybe.
There’s Rudy in his usual spot. He would be my prime suspect, except he doesn’t go looking for food anymore. He waits for extras to drop. He sleeps a lot, usually beside the fridge, just in case. Could he be fooling us?
The fish? Do fish even like cookies and milk? Sure, let’s look, but don’t get your hopes up.
Hmmm?
Quick, I hear something on the roof! I’d better refill these and get back to bed fast!
So, who’s the thief?
Who loves to chase mice and dive for fish all the time because they are delicious? Who was not interested tonight?
Shortbread! Because Shortbread ate the cookies and milk!
Cute! I love the way you ended with a question that had just enough of a beat for the reader to try to figure it out, and then that got answered. Justice for Shortbread!
I thought I had commented, but my computer was acting up.
The thief must be somewhere. Purr, purr, purr. Such a subtle (and funny) hint.
Cute! I love the way you ended with a question that had just enough of a beat for the reader to try to figure it out, and then that got answered. Justice for Shortbread!
Ooops – was trying to reply to a story and missed. Feel free to delete!
Arctic Winter Solstice Mystery
By Ian Rodrigues
166 words
Around the solstice, every year
the arctic sun will disappear.
I asked the animals if they know,
Where does she go? Where does she go?
I asked the muskox, standing strong
against the wind, with hair so long.
He peered at me through blowing snow.
Where does she go? Where does she go?
I asked the wolf, so grim and lean
if he knows where the sun is seen
when ice is thick on pond and floe.
Where does she go? Where does she go?
I asked the ravenous wolverine,
with teeth so sharp and claws so keen.
She’s back before the flowers grow,
but where does she go? Where does she go?
I asked the snowy owl, who’s
been known to offer helpful clues.
She said to go and ask the crow
Where did she go? Where did she go?
Crows go south for winter though
to warmer climes like Mexico,
away from all this ice and snow,
so maybe that’s where I should go!
This was meant to be in 4 line stanzas but the formatting came out funny! Oh well.
I like this Ian. The rhyming works and the repetition sounds like a song. The sun hasn’t been here in VT lately. It’s been snowing almost every day and I love it.
Who knows where the sun goes… asking crows is always a good idea. They are brainy birds. Great cast of arctic creatures.
Such sweet visuals. Nicely done.
Ian, nice story and imagery. Congrats on your HM.
What Does Momma Want for Christmas?
By Kato McNickle
250 Words on the button
“Do either of you know what I want this Christmas?”
Momma’s question was a stunner.
She left with the ball that had started the trouble – my ball by the way – into the house.
“Does Momma even like Christmas?”
I stopped myself from telling lil bro that was a stupid question. Then I realized I wasn’t sure.
“What does she do anyway?”
“We will need to be stealthy,” I said, and then had to explain the meaning of ‘stealthy.’
We removed our winter gear and put it away so as not to disturb the subject of our investigation.
Stocking feet are perfect for quiet movement.
“Shhhh…” we snooped from beside the refrigerator.
Momma closed the door of the oven.
“What’s she doing?”
“Looks like…nothing?” I reported.
Momma moved to the dining table. We watched her from the mirror in the hall.
“What now?”
“Just sitting.”
The oven timer dinged. Momma shuttled the cookies from the pan to the rack. She caught sight of me.
“Would you take those cards stacked on the dining table to the mailbox?”
Lil brother spied from the archway until I returned.
“What now?”
“Just reading.”
“So, still nothing.”
We played Go-Fish to pass the time.
“Would you help me decorate the cookies?” she asked us.
Placing the last frosted star in the gift tin, we still hadn’t discovered what she wanted.
“Thank you both,” she said as we settled into bed, “For giving me the gift of a peaceful day.”
And she turned out the light.
a true gift… just ask any mama. We just want a quiet place to read our books and drink coffee.
Nice work Sue. It’s great Mama can still be preparing treats and treasuring peace.
Thanks Sue! The idea of kids thinking that adults do nothing when they’re sitting still is very close to my heart.
Not only is the gift much deserved . . . but it’s free!