Christmas Writing Prompts
Welcome to our Christmas writing prompts! Christmas brings much inspiration to writers of all ages and backgrounds. Use these creative writing category prompts, designed specifically for Christmas, to craft stories warm with holiday jollity. Responses to these prompts can vary in genre. Writers are encouraged to use rich detail and language, as well as all steps of the writing process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, and polishing), as best suited for their goals as a writer. Keep in mind that some prompts may demand contextualization depending on the learner’s age and needs.
Christmas Writing Prompts
Category 1: The Energy of Elves
When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people celebrate by decorating and enjoying stories of characters traditionally associated with the holidays. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to celebrate and engage with this elf-laden season.
Grades K-2:
- Write a poem about an elf who has a passion for baking cookies.
- Write a story about a group of elves who plan a vacation to a tropical island.
- Write a story about an elf who wants to become a reindeer trainer instead of a toy assembler.
Grades 3+:
- Create an elf-like counterpart or alternative for a holiday other than Christmas.
- Research and review a traditional uniform/ costuming for elves. Design a new/ modern or futuristic costume and explain your choices.
- Research and review elves as they are portrayed in modern media. Explain their portrayal and analyze the impact
Category 2: Santa Stories
Ho! Ho! Ho! When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people celebrate by enjoying stories of characters traditionally associated with the holiday season– especially Santa Clause, his elves, and his reindeer! This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to celebrate and engage with stories from and about the North Pole.
Grades K-2:
- Write an acrostic poem with the word “SANTA.” Include themes of holiday spirit and winter wonderland.
- Write a short story about how Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus fell in love
- Write a short story about the day Santa learns that he will eventually become a man who delivers toys to all of the children in the world in one single night each year.
Grades 3+:
- Design a new outfit for Santa Claus– make sure the design is empathetic to Santa’s needs and preferences. What will keep him warm on Christmas night? What is practical for sliding down chimneys?
- Research the origin of Santa Claus and explain how this origin story led to Santa’s portrayal in modern media.
- Write a creative short story about a mall Santa Claus who has a horrible day at work.
Category 3: Writing of Reindeer
When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people celebrate by enjoying songs and stories about reindeer. This set of creative Christmas writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to celebrate and engage with stories about reindeer games, protests, caretaking, and more!
Grades K-2:
- Write a news article about a group of reindeer who gather and protest in order to have more water and carrot breaks on Christmas night, their busiest work night.
- Write a short story about a reindeer who shows up for sleigh-pulling practice for the very first time.
- Write a short story about a reindeer who inspires other reindeers to learn a new game.
Grades 3+:
- Create a pamphlet that explains how to prepare your roof for Santa’s sleigh and reindeer landing on top of it.
- Write an infographic about the best way to take care of a reindeer during the winter season.
- Write a persuasive essay that advocates for another species of animal to finally take over as Santa’s sleigh puller.
Category 4: Christmas Wrapping
Wrap, wrap, wrap it up! When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people enjoy the task of spoiling their loved ones and wrapping their gifts with
care. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to celebrate and engage with stories, designs, and essays related to gift wrap.
Grades K-2:
- Design wrapping paper for Christmas gifts. Explain your design.
- Draw a Christmas present all wrapped up. Give five hints about what’s inside.
- Explain whether it is better to wrap Christmas presents in bags or paper. Why do you think so?
Grades 3+:
- Research the amount of waste created by wrapping paper each year. Offer some wrapping paper/ solution alternatives at the end of your research paper.
- Write a funny story about a person who wraps a very small and special gift for a friend in a very large box.
- Write an article about the perfect way to get prepared for a morning of wrapping gifts. Make it so that the person can understand that wrapping can be a fun tradition.
Category 5: Sustainable Gifts
When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people spend a great deal of money on new things, but people might not consider the benefits of sustainable gifting. Sustainable gifting involves using found materials or reusable/ renewable materials to craft/ create presents. This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to reimagine gifting through a more “green” view.
Grades K-2:
- right a short story about someone who collects items from nature in order to create a very special gift for someone in their family
- Write a recipe for a yummy Christmas punch bowl drink that you can make for the holidays.
- Write a song that you plan to give as a gift to someone you love.
Grades 3+:
- Write an article about how to upcycle items from the thrift store or flea market as cool gifts for friends and family
- Write a short story about a person who gifts time and experience to loved ones rather than actual ‘wrappable’ gifts
- Create an infographic with three homemade gift options that anyone would enjoy.
Category 6: Christmas Trees
When it’s Christmas, there’s no doubt that many people celebrate by decorating their Christmas trees! This set of creative writing prompts offers writers an opportunity to celebrate and engage with stories about festive firs.
Grades K-2:
- Write about your favorite Christmas ornament. Why is it your favorite?
- Write a short story about a family who owns a Christmas tree farm and discovers that 2 weeks before Christmas, all of the traditional Christmas trees have turned into palm trees.
- Write or create an infographic about the care and keeping of your Christmas tree.
Grades 3+:
- Research and write an informative essay about the impact of Christmas tree farming on the environment.
- Write a research paper about the history of Christmas trees.
- Write a short story about a family who gets a fake Christmas tree for the first time and a house cat who is very confused by the fake tree.