Hello, beloved friends!
I am so sorry I had to cancel the Holiday Contest this year! I want to tell you how very much it means to me that you were all so supportive, understanding, and kind about it. I feel lucky every day to be part of a such a wonderful community of people! 🩷
And I want to thank you by doing at least SOMETHING!
So, while I can’t run the contest, I CAN provide a prompt and the opportunity for a little fun for anyone who would like to play along. 😊
In the vein of the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini I have run several times in May I will provide a prompt. I hope it will spark story ideas for you and ignite your creativity. Anyone who would like to is more than welcome to post their stories in the comment section below any time between now and the end of the year so you can read and comment on each other’s work! I cannot promise to be timely about it, but I will try to check in and approve any comments that need approval for posting, and post any stories that are emailed to me by people who aren’t able to post but would like to. There won’t be any judging or any prizes, but anyone who writes a story will have the prize of a brand new manuscript! 😊 And who knows, maybe I’ll be inspired to make a little participation badge for anyone who posts a story! 😊
So here’s the prompt:
Choose a Character from Column A, an Action from Column B, and, if you like, an Item from Column C, and write a 250 word Holiday Story for kids that uses your choices!
Since this is just for fun, of course you can really use anything you want – only one choice from one column or 2 or 3 choices from all columns, or something that just comes to you – whatever gives you a great story idea.
| Column A – Character | Column B – Action | Column C – Item (Optional) |
| Elsie or Elfred Elf | Will not! | Sufganiyah/Sufganiyot |
| A girl or a boy | Helps someone in need | Candle or holiday lights |
| Dasher or Dancer | Hides | Star |
| Gingerbread Georgie (can be girl or boy) or Gingerbread Goose | Tells a lie (falsehood, fib, untruth) | Dreidel |
| Little Pip | Mistakes cayenne for cinnamon | Sleigh |
| Yeti | Makes a mess | Gift |
| Santa (or Mrs. Claus) | Organizes a party | Snowflake(s) |
| Millie or Milo Mouse | Hangs on tight | Ice skates or skis |
And here are some guidelines:
- Post your stories in the comment section below any time between now and December 31st, 2025.
- Stories can be about any winter Holiday you like – Hanukkah, Christmas, Winter Solstice, New Year’s, Dia de Reyes, Kwanzaa, Festivus, etc.
- Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
- You can go under or over 250 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 250 is just a guideline
- If you’re deeply inspired by another set of words, go for it! – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing! Just tell us what words you’re using!
- For clarity’s sake, put your Title, Byline, Word Count, and which options you chose at the top of your story. For example:
A Spicy Surprise!
by Susie Writer
109 words
Little Pip, mistakes cayenne for cinnamon, sufganiyot
So that’s pretty much it, I think! If I’m leaving out anything important, let me know! (I admit to putting this together last minute and on the fly 🤣)
Come join the holiday fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your friends, critique partners, kids or students to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
I’ll be checking in to see if anyone posts etc., but until we meet again, wherever you are, have a joyous, peaceful, healthy, love-filled holiday!
Looking forward to all the things we’ll do in 2026!
Happy Holidays, and all best wishes for a wonderful New Year!!!
Look who stepped up to the plate! We’ve got 3 stories!
1. A Christmas Hero – Sonja E. McGiboney
2. Sandy Claws’ Helpers – Susan E. Schipper
3. Hazel’s Best Saturday Ever – Mary Zotkiewicz
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Thanks for the prompts Susanna, and taking the time to organize things as usual. I’ll try to do my best to come up with a story. Take care. Happy Holidays and wishing you a serene New Year.
Eleanor
Thank you so much, Eleanor! Happy Holidays and Joyous New Year to you!
Thank you. 🙂
Thank you so much for the prompt—I am excited to get writing!
I hope you are having a good December and holiday season!
Thank you, Rebecca! I’m so glad you’re excited! 🙂
This is the perfect holiday gift! Your mix ‘n match prompts always inspire a new story or two. Hooray! Thanks for treating us to one last bit of Susanna magic before the year ends. Happiest of holidays to you and everyone. Here’s to lots of writing fun and success in 2026.
Have fun writing, Marty! And have a wondeful holiday! 🙂
Thanks Susanna! I’ll definitely attempt to “pull a story together” during this hectic but happy holiday time of year! 💚💚💚♥️♥️♥️
Oh good! Have fun, Susan!
Thanks, Susanna! You always do a great job with your writing challenges. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Thank you, Angie! You, too!
What a fun idea and no pressure. This is what my brain came up with. I could add more drama but then it would be even longer.
A Christmas Hero!
by Sonja McGiboney, 432 words with Milo, Millie, and helping someone in need.
From Santa’s pocket, Milo felt the wind whoosh past his ears. Reindeer bells clanged and Santa’s voice rang out, “On Donner, on Dancer!”
Way out in front, Rudolph’s nose glowed. Milo wished he had something special like that. At least Santa let him come along for the ride this Christmas.
He loved chimney sliding and eating cookie crumbs. After the last gift was placed under a sparkling tree, Santa steered the sleigh back home.
Milo heard a tiny yelp.
“Santa, did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“I’m not sure. Can we go into stealth mode for a minute?”
“Sure.”
Bells stopped ringing. Reindeer stopped singing.
“Help.”
“Someone is calling for help.”
Santa called to Rudolph, “Can you find that sound tonight?”
“Sure thing, Santa.”
The sleigh veered to the right, then down, down, down, to a rocky beach. Waves crashed.
“Hello!” Milo yelled.
“Help!” The whooshing waves almost swallowed the cry, but they heard it come from a tiny hole in the rocks.
“Santa!” Milo turned, “We’ve got to save it.”
Santa frowned, “I’m afraid I might be too big to do that.”
“But you fit down chimneys?”
“That I do, but that is Christmas magic. It doesn’t work for going into small holes in the rocks.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to go myself.”
Santa pulled the laces out of his boots. “Here, we’ll wrap this around your waist, and we can lower you in slowly.”
Milo squeezed through the opening. “I can’t see a thing.”
Rudolph stuck his nose into the hole. Light filled the dark cave.
“Thanks Rudolph!”
Milo called, “Hello. Where are you?”
A sniffle sounded before he heard, “I’m over here. I think I broke my leg.”
Milo landed on the soft dirt in the cave and walked over to a rock. When he looked behind it, he saw a beautiful mouse. “Oh, hello. What’s your name?”
“Millie.”
“Well, Millie, let’s get you out of here.”
He picked her up, wrapped a bit of shoelace around her and yelled, ‘I got her, pull me up.”
Everyone cheered when they popped out of the hole. Santa patted Milo and said, “You know, without your keen hearing and bravery, we would not have saved Millie.”
Rudolph said, “Three cheers for Milo!”
Cries rang out. The Reindeer bounced their bells.
Santa picked up a piece of seaweed and a shell, and placed them over Milo’s head. “To the Christmas Hero!” He scooped up Milo and Millie, gently put them in his pocked and said, “Ho ho ho! Let’s go home. I think Mrs. Clause has a feast waiting for us!”
Such a fun story, Sonja! They all worked together and each brought their own skills, but Milo was the true hero! 🙂
Thank you, Susanna.
That’s such a fun story!
Thank you, Angie!
What a cute Christmas story! 🙂
Thank you!
Such a sweet story! Milo was such a great helper! And, I know it’s a small detail, but I enjoyed the idea of Santa’s sleigh going into ‘stealth mode’—I thought that was a fun touch!
I liked that, too, Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment on Sonja and Susan’s stories – so supportive of you!
Thank you, Rebecca!
Thankyou! You are such a dear to think of this. Have a lot going on with holiday and issues with our new condo but I appreciate your kindness more than you know. Warmly and with best wishes for a joy filled holiday season, Joan Leotta
This is always a busy time of year for everyone, Joan! I hope most of your busyness is happy, and the condo issues are solved easily!
Sandy Claws’ Helpers
By Susan E. Schipper
WC 287
Down deep in the sea past where waves crash
Far away from where little kids splash
Sandy Claws and her helpers each year
Work hard to make gifts that spread lots of cheer!
But this year was different, Sandy’s Sea Shop was bare!
No helpers could be found, she looked everywhere
Christmas was coming, just a few days away
She sat down and sobbed filled with dismay!
Sandy Claws knew she could not disappoint
So, she picked herself up, joint by joint.
Candy cane algae is always a treat
She needed some paint for the new coral reef!
Sea stars to be shined, decorations to be hung
Sandy’s sea sleigh bells just had to be rung!
But she could not do it without any help.
Then suddenly she heard her friend Kelp!
In the underwater forest she followed the sound.
Much to her surprise here’s what she found.
Her Holiday Helpers were scurrying about
Preparing for Christmas without a doubt!
Sea Urchin was stitching her sack
Jellyfish was hurrying to make yummy snacks!
Octopus’ legs were all very busy
Working so quickly she feared he’d get dizzy!
Sandy Claws rushed to greet her friends!
What are you doing, I thought this was the end
Of our holiday season that usually spreads joy
And believed our sea friends would not have one toy
The red nosed seahorse was ready to share
The plan her helpers had to show they cared
Sandy worked so hard this time of year
They’d do all the work, while she spread good cheer!
Christmas was spectacular under the sea
Sandy and helpers are happy as can be
Soon they all scurried out of sight
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
What a delightfully fun and different holiday story, Susan! I love all the under-the-sea details! And so much kindness and Christmas cheer! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Thanks so much, Susanna! Enjoy this special time of year🎄🦀
You too!
I love a good pun, so I think your Sandy Claws character is a clever and fun idea! I also think setting the story under the sea was a great idea—it’s a new and unexpected setting for a Christmas story and I think adds a great layer—I’m sure it would be fun for an illustrator to imagine the under-the-sea Christmas pictures!
I forgot to list the word choices/variations!
“Mrs Claws”, recieves help, gifts
I felt so bad for Sandy Claws at first. What a way to string me along, feeling like all was lost for Christmas until we see the true meaning of friendship at the end. What cute use of words. I could see a crustacean painting the reef, or shining a sea star. Like Susanna said, the undersea details are wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading this under the sea Christmas story! 🦀🎄
Happy Holidays, Susanna! Hope you and your whole family are doing well. And thanks for these prompts! Always so fun to see what happens when the writing begins.
Thank you, Jilanne! I hope the prompts spark something fun for you! Best wishes to you and yours for a happy holiday!
Prompts: a girl and a boy try to lie about a Christmas party.
Hazel’s Best Saturday Ever
404 words
“Finally-Christmas break!” Hazel said, as the bus disappeared down the snow-lined street. “Let’s play Tic-Tic-Snow!”
“We’re too old for that baby game. Besides, I need to work on my fairy painting,” Holly said.
“And I need to practice my drums,” Harold said.
“Fine- I’ll play without you!” Hazel shouted. She dragged a stick around the yard, but it was hard to play Tic-Tac-Snow all alone. She trailed her older siblings up the steps.
“Look!” Hazel shouted. A bright green envelope stuck out of the mailbox.
“Dear Holly and Harold,” she read, “you are cordially invited to my Christmas party on Saturday. Your friend Millicent.”
“Hazel, you are NOT invited,” Holly said with a sneer. Harold laughed.
Hazel clapped her hands. “I was hoping you’d say that. I can’t WAIT to have the playroom all to myself this weekend.”
On Saturday, Holly and Harold came downstairs dressed in their best clothes.
“Don’t touch my wand or my paints,” Holly said.
“And don’t get near my drum set,” Harold said.
Hazel crossed her arms defiantly. “I’m not afraid of you two!”
As Holly and Harold closed the front door, Hazel ran for the playroom.
“I’m a fairy princess!” she said. She pranced around the room and flourished Holly’s wand.
THWACK! The wand lay in pieces at Hazel’s feet.
“Oops- I’ll fix that later.”
“I’m an artist!” Hazel grabbed a brush and twirled it.
KERPLUNK! The paintbox fell over with a thud.
“Oops- I’ll clean that up later.”
“At last- I’m a rockstar!” Hazel grabbed a drumstick and hit the cymbal.
CRASH BOOM BANG! TIPPITY TAPPITY TWANG! She didn’t hear the footsteps, until-
“WHAT are you doing?” Holly shouted. “You broke my wand and spilled my paint!”
“AND you touched my drum set!” Harold shouted, even louder. “Wait until Mom hears about this.”
“Wait a minute!” Hazel said.
She pointed at Holly. “You were supposed to decorate the Christmas tree this morning.”
She pointed at Harold. “And you were supposed to clear the driveway this morning.”
Holly frowned. Harold scratched his head.
“Don’t tell Mom-please?” Holly said.
“Pretty please?” Harold added. “We’ll even help you clean up.”
Hazel stared at the bag of party treats in Holly’s hand.
“Ok, but can I have a piece of candy first?”
“You bet!” Holly replied.
“And when we’re done, we’ll even play a game of Tic-Tac-Snow with you,” Harold said.
“Deal!” Hazel said. “This has been the best Saturday ever!”
Oh, my goodness, Mary! What sibling hijinks and shenanigans! Hazel is a pretty smart cookie 🙂 Loved the onomatopoeia, Hazel’s exuberance, and her careless lack of concern over her trail of mayhem 🙂
Thanks Susanna! In the vein of sibling hijinks and mayhem, may I tell you, I have a sister named Mary, but she didn’t write this story :).
Thanks for your kind words. Happy Holidays, and thanks for keeping us all on the writing ball!
ACK! I’m so sorry! I mean Margaret of course!
Tic-tac-snow sounds like a fun winter game! And I love the drum set sounds.
Susanna, you have helped us so many times. God bless you with strength, joy, and a time to relax.
Thank you so much, Ellie! I’m not sure relaxing is on the agenda, but it is helpful not to have to worry about the contest! Have a wonderful holiday!
Title: The Sleigh in the Woods
by Greg Beatty
320 words
Items from list:
Yeti
Helps someone in need
Hangs on tight
Sleigh
Gift
Snowflake
Holiday Lights
Story:
“Well that’s new,” the yeti said.
Finding things wasn’t new. People leave a lot of stuff in the woods. They leave more stuff behind when someone who is 8 foot tall and covered with hair joins their campfire.
But someone had left a sleigh in the woods.
A sleigh so full of gifts that some were falling off the sides.
“No wait,” the yeti said. “That’s newer.”
A tiny person was sitting at the front of the sleigh, shoes pointed, head down, chin on fist. He didn’t even notice snowflakes were starting to fall.
“Excuse me,” the yeti said.
“Ahhhhh!” the little guy said, jumping into the air.
“Ahhhhh” the yeti said. Then he asked, “Why are we ahhhhing!”
“You scared me!”
“By saying ‘excuse me’?”
“Of course not. By being so big and hairy.”
“That’s rude. What do you expect a yeti to be?”
“Yeti aren’t real. At least, no elf has ever met one.”
“No yeti has ever met an elf.”
“I thought you were made up.”
“I thought you were made up.”
This might have gone on for a long time, but it was getting dark, and some Christmas lights flicked on in the distance.
“Pretty!” the yeti said.
“Oh no!”
“Not pretty?”
“Oh, they’re pretty, but if people are turning their lights on, that means I’m really late. I’m never going to get these presents delivered without reindeer.”
“No reindeer?”
“The harness broke.” The elf looked like he was going to cry.
A very large hand patted him on the shoulder. And head. And face, because it was so big.
“You know who else can pull sleds?”
The elf tried to shake his head.
“Yeti. I may be only 8 feet tall, but I’m strong as ten reindeer.”
“Really?”
The yeti grabbed the rails that were supposed to have reindeer tied to them. “Really!”
And away they went.
And everyone had a Merry Christmas.
And hot chocolate.
Such a fun story, Greg! Lots of humor and a happy ending! With hot chocolate! Thanks for joining in the fun!
Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I love the humor in this story — made me smile! 🙂
Selected character/ action/ items:
• Yeti
• Makes a mess
• Candles, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), dreidel, gifts (presents)
Word count: 137
Not Yet, Yeti!
By Rebecca Singer
Tonight is the first night of Chanukah! Are you ready, Yeti?
Find the menorah. Put candles in.
Uh oh! Yeti lights them all at once.
Not yet, Yeti!
Grate potatoes. Flip the latkes.
No, don’t eat them now! Wait ‘til they’ve cooled.
Not yet, Yeti!
Get the dreidel and chocolate coins.
Don’t spin yet! Wait your turn.
Not yet, Yeti!
Stack jelly donuts on a tray.
Whoops! Yeti grabs too fast. Down they tumble!
Not yet, Yeti!
Set out presents for our friends.
Oh no! Yeti tears them open.
Not yet, Yeti!
Yeti slumps.
Yeti grumps.
Is it time yet?
When will Chanukah finally be here?
Look outside. The sun is setting.
YES, Yeti! Now it’s time.
Place the menorah in the window.
Watch it glow. Let its light shine bright.
Chanukah is here.
Happy Chanukah, Yeti!
What a fun exercise! I looked over the list and this just tumbled out – love when a prompt really inspires something!
Gingerbread Goose on the Loose!
By Erin Zampaglione
WC: 99
Prompts used: gingerbread goose, mistakes cayenne for cinnamon
Run, run, as fast as you can!
Gingerbread Goose is causing bedlam!
He’ll knock down your baubles, chase kids ‘round the tree,
Scare Santa right back up the chimney with glee!
Peck holes in your big figgy pudding, so violent!
He’ll honk until sunrise, a night not so silent!
Thank goodness there’s not six of him, like the saying:
Gingerbread Goose wouldn’t dream of a-laying!
He’ll trip you to slip on the sidewalks, so icy!
How did this Gingerbread Goose get so spicy?
Run, run as fast as you can!
He was baked not with cinnamon, but with cayenne!
Pip and Peppermint
by Lynn Burton
137 words
Little Pip, Yeti, hangs on tight, ice skates
Little Pip zipped up her new winter coat.
She slipped on her wool cap.
She couldn’t wait to step into her new skates.
Most of her friends were already on the frozen lake.
Christmas lights twinkled across bare branches.
“Pip!” Peppermint yelled.
The two friends hugged.
Peppermint tugged Pip to a bench to get set to glide and slide on the ice.
Skates on! Off the two went.
Until they met…
Yeti who wasn’t steady on the ice.
He flapped his arms and sat with a splat
When his wobbly legs gave out.
Pip glided over and offered a hand.
Yeti looked up. He couldn’t believe his luck.
He took Pip’s hand. Peppermint helped him stand.
Shaky from his fall, he didn’t feel brave at all.
“Hang on tight,” Pip said.
Yeti beamed.
Off the three went.