A Year of Writing Prompts: 24 December

How to use these prompts

What is happening at this Christmas party?

Prompts

1. Write a story about Santa Claus and his mission to deliver presents to every child in the world on this night. Perhaps this year something goes horribly wrong. Perhaps one child manages to stay awake and actually have a conversation with Father Christmas. You might want to write the story from the point of view of Santa himself, Mrs Claus, or one of the reindeer.
2. Christmas Eve is full of traditions - some people open their presents now rather than on Christmas Day. Many people go to church in the evening. There are traditions too numerous to list about predicting who you'll marry, the behaviour of animals, and so on. Perhaps your family has a quirky Christmas Eve ritual of its own. Write about it.
3. Ghosts never appear on Christmas Eve. Or do they?
4. Your character still hasn't got a present for their significant other. Write about their last minute dash to find the perfect gift.
5. "No matter how perfect the day is, it always has to end." Stephenie Meyer

Character Names

Adam, Eve, Eva, Evie, Evelyn, Evelina, Eugene

Character Traits

• Have lots of will-power, concentration and endurance. Will sacrifice pleasure for duty. However, if no such sacrifice is required there is a danger they will overspend on creature comforts.
• Fond of ornaments and art.
• Tend to prefer the company of the opposite sex to that of their own.
• Perfectionists who like things to be clean and accurate.
• Depending on their background, they could become spiritual guides or teachers, or arch criminals.
• An interest in the occult could lead them to dangerous places.
• Back seat drivers.
• Cautious and conservative but may have a fondness for moderate gambling.
• Warm hearted big brother or big sister type.

Possible Themes

Justice.

Fascination with the forbidden or unknown.

Shamanism, magic.

Co-ordination in order to reach a goal.

Setting off on an adventure.

Boats.

Objects

A lamp; a vestal virgin; two keys; the planet Venus; footprints in the snow; butterflies; a mysterious black chest.