Pamela Koehne-Drube

Written by

Pamela Koehne-Drube

22 December 2023

Writing

10 Festive Writing Prompts to Spark Your Holiday Spirit

10 festive writing prompts for the holiday season - Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

The holiday season is a time of inspiration, with a wealth of stories waiting to be told. Whether you’re an experienced writer looking for a festive writing prompt for your next book or a novice wanting to dabble in creative writing during the festive period, we’ve put together these festive writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

The Magic Market

A magical market appears in the town square every holiday season, offering wondrous and magical items. No one knows why the market is there, or how it mysteriously appears every year, but one intrepid journalist is determined to find out.

The Winter Festival

In a small town, the annual Winter Festival is a cherished tradition that brings the community together. The arrival of a stranger in town disrupts the festival, forcing the community to come together and save the holidays.

Snowed In

A group of friends decide to spend the holiday season in a cosy cabin tucked away in a remote mountain range. Unexpectedly, they get snowed in. A few nights into their isolation, there is a knock on the door. They meet a stranger with a mysterious story to tell.

The Generosity Challenge

Two rival families in the same neighbourhood decide to put aside their differences over the festive season. They engage in a friendly competition to see who can perform the most acts of kindness and generosity, with unexpected results.

A Holiday Exchange

Two people from different cultural backgrounds swap holiday traditions for a day. As they dive into each other’s worlds, they encounter challenges and surprises that test their preconceived ideas. Each learns valuable lessons about the other’s customs, beliefs, and the true meaning of the holiday spirit.

Holiday Miracle at the Animal Shelter

Volunteers at an animal shelter work tirelessly during the holidays to find homes for every abandoned pet. As the big adoption day approaches, the shelter is abuzz with excitement, but they are short on funds for the celebration. Miraculously, an anonymous donor gifts the shelter enough money to make the event a success, but who could this anonymous donor be?

French Bulldog in a Santa hat - festive writing prompts - Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

The Unexpected Reunion

During the holiday season, a chance encounter in an unexpected place brings a person back in contact with a childhood friend. This reunion leads to a series of adventures and misadventures as they decide to rekindle their relationship.

The Festive Secret

An old man in town is known for his grumpy demeanour, but during the festive season, he displays acts of kindness that seem out of character. A curious neighbour follows him one evening, leading to the discovery of a secret that changes the town’s perception of him forever.

The Holiday Heist

A local museum is hosting an exhibition of priceless holiday artifacts. As the town buzzes with excitement, a sophisticated thief plans the ultimate holiday heist. The museum’s security is tight, but the thief has a clever plan involving disguises, diversions, and a dash of holiday magic. It’s a race against time as a rookie detective tries to unravel the plot and save the day.

A Winter Solstice Adventure

In a world where the winter solstice holds immense magical power, a group of adventurers sets out on a quest to witness a rare celestial event on this special day. Along the way, their bonds are tested, and they learn that the true magic of the solstice isn’t just about the alignment of stars, but also about the connections they forge and the memories they create together.

Wrapping up

No matter how you celebrate, these festive writing prompts are sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Whether you use them as a personal challenge or to connect with other writers and readers through shared tales, we hope they spark joy and creativity in your writing journey.

Don’t be afraid to take risks, mix genres, or turn traditions on their head. After all, every great story starts with a spark of inspiration – and what better time than the holidays to ignite that spark?