As December rolls in with its frosty mornings and twinkling lights, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with your notebook or laptop and dive into the world of creative writing. Whether you’re looking to develop stories that capture the holiday spirit or explore the darker edges of winter’s chill, December offers a treasure trove of ideas to keep your imagination flowing.
Let’s explore some engaging and diverse December prompts across a range of writing styles and genres to inspire your creativity.
Stories that warm the heart
December is a month of stories, from family traditions to unexpected adventures. Use these prompts to explore those themes this holiday season:
- Write about a character who finds an abandoned sleigh in the middle of a snowstorm. Who does it belong to, and why is it there?
- A group of childhood friends gathers for their annual holiday party, but one brings a shocking revelation that changes everything.
- Your character discovers a decades-old letter in a box of holiday decorations. What does it say, and how does it alter their life?
- Write about a character who finds an anonymous note in a library book, leading to a series of life-changing events during the holiday season.
- Imagine a group of strangers stranded at an airport on Christmas Eve. What brings them together, and how do they make the most of their unexpected situation?
- Set a story in a small town that’s renowned for its holiday spirit—until one year, when something threatens to cancel the celebrations entirely.
Painting December with words
The beauty of December offers countless opportunities for descriptive writing. Use these prompts to create vivid holiday scenes and immerse your readers in a winter wonderland:
- Describe a forest blanketed in snow, focusing on the sounds, sights, and textures of the landscape.
- Capture the buzz of a December holiday market using sensory details to capture the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the experience.
- Write about a child experiencing their very first snowfall, exploring their awe and wonder through rich details.
- Describe a snow-covered forest under a full moon, where every sound feels amplified in the stillness of the night.
- Focus on a single object, like a worn-out pair of mittens, and describe its significance to a character.
Holiday conversations that spark drama
Some of the most compelling scenes are built around dialogue, where characters’ words reveal relationships and conflicts. Try these December-inspired dialogue prompts to explore interactions and move your plot forward:
- “Wait, this gift isn’t meant for me… or is it?”
- “I’ve been holding onto this secret for years. Tonight, I need to tell you.”
- “So, are we just going to ignore the fact that you’re carrying a bag full of cash?”
- “I didn’t buy you that gift. Someone else did.”
- “It’s been a long time! What are you doing here?”
First sentence starters to hook your readers
Every great story starts with a hook. These first sentence starters will set the tone and invite readers into your narrative:
- The snowman in the front yard was no ordinary decoration.
- She stared at the flickering candle, the only light left in the power outage.
- December 24th, and all I had to show for my holiday spirit was a string of broken lights.
- The snow globe shattered on the floor, but instead of water and glitter, something else spilled out.
- The lights on the Christmas tree blinked in a strange pattern, almost like they were trying to send a message.
Get to know your characters
December is a time of reflection, making it ideal for diving deeper into your characters’ thoughts. These prompts will help you uncover their motivations, fears, and quirks:
- What is your character’s favorite (or least favorite) holiday tradition?
- Write about a December event from your character’s childhood that shaped who they are today.
- What’s the one thing your character hopes to hide from everyone this December?
- Character exploration prompts can reveal layers of depth that will make your stories more relatable and engaging.
- Create a character who works as a professional gift wrapper and spends their December solving other people’s holiday dilemmas. What drives them to help?
- Write about someone who absolutely hates winter, yet finds themselves unexpectedly moved by a single moment during a snowstorm.
- Your protagonist is a lonely toy maker who receives a mysterious request from a child on Christmas Eve. What happens next?
Keep readers guessing with these wintry plot twists
What’s a story without a good twist? Use these December-themed prompts to surprise your readers and keep them hooked:
- A seemingly ordinary present turns out to hold a life-altering secret.
- A stranger appears on your character’s doorstep on Christmas Eve, claiming to be a long-lost relative.
- A trail of footprints in the snow leads to nowhere.
- A family discovers that their cherished holiday heirloom is actually a map to a long-lost treasure.
- A child’s letter to Santa accidentally ends up in the hands of a real magician, who decides to make the wish come true, with unintended consequences.
- A group of carolers goes missing in a snowstorm, only to reappear days later with no memory of where they’ve been, but something about them is different.
A Season of Creativity Awaits
December offers a delightful blend of cozy, heartwarming moments and opportunities for suspense, mystery, and magic. So grab a warm drink, settle in by the fire (or heater!), choose a prompt, and let the stories flow this December. After all, every flurry of snow could be the beginning of your next great tale.