Christmas Writing Prompts: 95 Fun Ideas to Get You Started
By: Author Valerie Forgeard
Posted on Published: August 31, 2022 - Last updated: December 7, 2023
Categories Creativity , Inspiration , Writing
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and fun. It’s also a great time to get creative and write new stories! If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got you covered. This blog post will provide 95 Christmas writing prompts to help get you started. Whether a beginner or an experienced writer, these prompts will help you create some amazing nonfiction and fiction writing!
95 Christmas Writing Prompts
Below you’ll find various types of Christmas writing prompts to inspire various kinds of writing.
Christmas Writing Prompts for Your Journal to Spark Your Creativity!
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your activities this year or just want to reminisce, writing your December writing prompt (or several) in a journal is a great way to capture your memories.
Writing a Christmas journal can also help you feel connected to the vacation season, even if you’re not religious.
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and it’s hard to remember all the little things that make Christmas so special. But writing them down will help you remember them better and reflect on how much the vacation season means to you.
Here are 33 Christmas journal prompts to help you get started:
- What do you think of when you hear the word “Christmas”?
- What’s the most important thing about Christmas?
- What’s your favorite part of Christmas?
- What do you like about Christmas Eve?
- Do you prefer giving or receiving gifts? And why?
- What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?
- What’s the worst Christmas present you’ve ever received?
- What bugs you every year when the Christmas season comes around again (a song that gets played too often on the radio, a movie that gets shown too often on TV, etc.)? Does that feeling change depending on whether you have a gift or not?
- What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever given someone for Christmas?
- Write about an experience where you realized Santa wasn’t real or where someone else knew he wasn’t real while you didn’t yet know.
- How do you like to decorate for Christmas?
- What do you like best about Christmas dinner?
- Who’s your favorite person to go shopping with during the holidays?
- What’s your favorite Christmas song? And why? What’re the lyrics about?
- What do you feel when you hear “Jingle Bells”?
- What’s your favorite memory of the holidays?
- Do you remember a funny or embarrassing gift given to someone in your family sometime during the holidays? What was it, and how did they react when they unwrapped it on Christmas Day (or the vacation they celebrated)?
- Have you ever had a white Christmas? If so, what was it like?
- How many Christmases can you remember from your childhood? What’s your favorite memory of Christmas in your childhood home?
- Do you’ve any traditions that are typical of your family or culture?
- Do you think you should spend Christmas with your family or friends?
- If you could only celebrate Christmas with 5 people, who’d they be and why?
- What would be different if there was no Christmas or Halloween (or any other vacation)?
- If everything were possible, what would be your ideal Christmas day?
- How will you celebrate this year?
- Who’s your favorite person to spend time with during the holidays? And why?
- What’s your favorite thing to cook/bake on the holidays?
- If you could spend Christmas with anyone in history, who’d it be and why?
- What’s your favorite winter activity (other than skiing or skating)?
- Do you’ve any traditions or superstitions related to Christmas?
- If you could give your best friend anything for Christmas, what would you give them?
- If you could give one gift to everyone in the world, what would it be?
- If you were Santa Claus, how would you make Christmas morning special for children worldwide?
Creative Writing Prompt Suggestions for a Christmas Story
If you don’t know what story to write, start with a simple idea and then develop it as you go.
Here are 22 Christmas creative writing prompt suggestions that can help you improve your creative writing skills and develop new ideas:
- Describe your first Christmas memory
- Write a story about trying to find the perfect gift for someone you love.
- Write about a Christmas family tradition you’d like to keep but can’t.
- Write about the funniest thing that happened to you this year.
- Write about someone who’s always late, but for some reason, you don’t mind at all if they’re late for Christmas dinner with your family this year.
- Write about how long it’s been since you’ve seen some of your closest friends or family members at Christmas (for example, if they live abroad or have moved away).
- Write about what it would be like if Father Christmas existed and came to visit you on Christmas Eve this year!
- Write a short poem describing how you feel about the holidays.
- Write about your favorite Christmas movie or book and what it means to you personally as an adult, as opposed to when you were younger.
- Describe your favorite Christmas character. And why.
- Write about a Christmas miracle (real or imagined) that happened to you or someone you know.
- Write about what happened when Santa Claus tried to deliver the presents on Christmas Eve last year… But somehow failed? Or was he successful? You decide!
- Write a list of things you’re thankful for this year, including people and important things (like your family, pets, friends, and school).
- Describe the best Christmas tree and Christmas lights you’ve ever seen
- Write about something that could replace a Christmas tree. Why would it be a good substitute? Would you decorate it? And how?
- Invent a Christmas tradition you’d like to start this year with your family or friends! What’ll it be? Who’ll do it? Why? How often will it take place? What’s planned for next year?
- Describe your favorite Christmas smell (candles, cinnamon buns).
- Write about the magic of Christmas.
- Describe a Christmas in winter
- Describe a Christmas in summer
- Write a story about a family trying to save money at Christmas
- Write about how Santa Claus (Father Christmas) gets stuck in your chimney, and you must help him.
25 Christmas Writing Prompts About History and Culture
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, filled with delicious food, family and friends, and presents. But there are also many interesting facts about Christmas, such as how it spread to different parts of the world and how it’s celebrated today.
Here are 25 Christmas writing prompts to help you learn more about the history and culture of Christmas.
- In what year was Christmas recognized as a national vacation in the United States?
- What’s the history of St. Nicholas Day, and what does it have to do with Christmas?
- Write a Christmas story about the first Christmas tree, inspired by the story of Christ’s birth in the Bible.
- Write a short story about what happened on the night of Jesus’s birth.
- What do other religions have in common with Christmas?
- Write about what it was like to celebrate Christmas in the 17th century.
- How did art reflect what was happening in the world at that time?
- What do you think Santa Claus would have looked like in ancient times?
- How has Christmas decoration and Christmas spirit changed over time?
- Compare and contrast how people celebrated Christmas in different countries and at different times.
- What do you think people will be doing at Christmas 20 years from now? In 50 years? In 100 years?
- What do you like best about caroling? And why?
- Is there anything else in the world that makes people believe in magic, like Santa Claus?
- Describe what it was like to grow up in another country or culture where Christmas isn’t celebrated today – what’s celebrated there instead and why?
- When did Santa Claus become popular in Western culture?
- What’s the story behind Santa’s red suit?
- Who decided that children should get toys for Christmas and why?
- Why isn’t Thanksgiving celebrated everywhere Christmas is celebrated?
- What’re the 5 best Christmas books in the world?
- What’re the 5 best Christmas movies in the world?
- Which artists were born on Christmas Day?
- Which politicians were born on Christmas Day?
- What’s the most famous Christmas carol in the USA, and why?
- What’s the story of the Nutcracker (Christmas time ballet)?
- Where in the world is the longest Christmas holiday, and why?
Christmas Card Writing Ideas
Christmas cards are an important part of the vacation season. Whether you’re sending a card to a friend or family member, it’s a great way to stay in touch and ensure they know you’re thinking of them.
You can write whatever you want in your Christmas card, but there are a few things that people will always appreciate. Here are 15 examples of phrases for your Christmas wishes:
- Merry Christmas! I hope you’re ready for a wonderful vacation season!
- It’s hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us! We can’t wait to see our friends and family this year.
- Happy holidays from our family to yours! We hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones this year!
- We wish you all the best this vacation season! May your heart always be filled with love and peace!
- We wish you a wonderful vacation season! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
- We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas full of love and happiness this year!
- Merry Christmas to you and yours! We hope your holidays this year are full of love, laughter, and joy – just like whenever we’re together!
- We wish you nothing but the best this vacation season! May your heart always be filled with love and peace!
- We also wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season on behalf of our family!
- I’m so thankful for our friendship, and I hope you know how much that means to me.
- Merry Christmas to you and your family! We hope your holidays this year are full of love, laughter, and joy – as always when we’re together!
- I hope your holiday season is full of joy, love, and happiness!
- This year has been amazing. Thank you so much for being in my life!
- Thanks again for everything this year. Have a great vacation season!
- May you get everything on your list this year!
Related Topics
30 Creative Christmas Drawing Prompts to Inspire Your Holiday Art
30-Day Writing Challenge: Push Your Creativity to the Max With These January Writing Prompts
Inner Explorations: Top Personal Writing Prompts to Discover Yourself
Resources and
Guiding Curiosity, Igniting Imagination!
20 Free Christmas Writing Prompts to Inspire Creativity This Holiday Season
Free Christmas Writing Prompts
The holiday season is a magical time to spark creativity and excitement in your classroom or homeschool. Creative writing prompts about Christmas are a fun way to get students thinking, dreaming, and sharing their ideas, all while building essential writing skills during the cold winter months. And the best part? These prompts are free to download as beautifully designed cards to use in your writing center!
Why Christmas Writing Prompts Work Wonders
Christmas-themed writing prompts engage students by connecting their imaginations with the festive spirit of the season. Whether they’re dreaming of snowmen, gingerbread cookies, or imagining Santa’s secret workshop, these prompts make writing time feel like playtime—perfect for classrooms or homeschools.
20 Free Christmas Writing Prompts to Download
Ready to get started? Here’s are 20 perfect writing prompts for the season.
- On Christmas Eve, I discovered my pet had written a letter to Santa, and it said…
- When the elves thought no one was watching, they began to…
- The Christmas tree whispered to me, Let me tell you about the time I…
- Santa was stuck in my chimney, so I decided to…
- The snow was falling fast, and I realized it was up to me to save Christmas because…
- While catching snowflakes, I discovered each one had a tiny message that said…
- I invented a new holiday tradition, and it begins with…
- The Christmas star was missing, and the only clue I had was…
- When the gingerbread man jumped off the plate, he shouted…
- I built the biggest snow fort ever, and inside it I found…
- The reindeer refused to pull the sleigh unless I promised to…
- Santa’s sleigh broke down, so I designed a new one with features like…
- If I could spend Christmas anywhere, I would choose… because…
- When I shook the snow globe, I was transported to a magical place where…
- I woke up to find a certificate from Santa’s Nice List that said…
- The Christmas lights twinkled in a pattern, and then I realized they were trying to tell me…
- The elf who wanted to be a reindeer proved he was ready by…
- A blizzard blew me all the way to the North Pole, and there I discovered…
- The snowman sprang to life and said, Quick, follow me to…
- Santa chose me as his newest helper, and my first job was to…
Get Your Free Downloadable Writing Prompt Cards
These prompts are ready to use for your writing center activities! Just sign up below, and you’ll receive a downloadable set with four prompts per page. They’re perfect for laminating and cutting out to create a festive writing station your students will love.
I agree to receive email updates and promotions.
Take Writing to the Next Level with Craftivities
Love the prompts? Imagine how much more your students will enjoy their writing time when they can turn their stories into crafts. That’s where our Winter and Christmas Writing Craftivity Pack comes in!
This resource includes five no-prep craftivities that pair beautifully with these prompts, giving students the chance to create, write, and display their work.
Why Teachers Love the Craftivity Pack
- Hands-On Learning : Each craftivity connects directly to a writing prompt, making the experience more engaging and meaningful.
- No-Prep Simplicity : Print, cut, and go! The activities are easy to set up, saving you precious time.
- Differentiated for All Writers : With three levels of lined paper for each prompt, you can meet the needs of every learner in your classroom.
Craftivities That Spark Creativity and Skill Development
Each craftivity in the Winter and Christmas Writing Craftivity Pack is designed to go beyond writing. By integrating art and crafting, students not only develop their creative writing skills but also improve fine motor coordination through cutting, gluing, and assembling. These crafts also make stunning displays, turning your classroom or homeschool space into a festive wonderland.
🎄 Christmas Tree: What I Hope to See Under the Christmas Tree
In this activity, students imagine and write about their dream gifts waiting under the Christmas tree. After completing their writing, they create a vibrant, 3D Christmas tree by cutting and gluing loops of green paper to form its shape.
This craftivity is more than just fun—it strengthens fine motor skills like precise cutting and paper folding. The finished product is a cheerful tree that can be decorated further with crayons or stickers, making it a perfect addition to your classroom wall or bulletin board.
☃️ Snowman: The Day My Snowman Disappeared
Students write a whimsical story about a snowman that mysteriously vanishes. The craft involves creating a cone-shaped carrot nose for the snowman, which challenges students to color, cut, and shape their paper into a three-dimensional piece.
This activity not only encourages imaginative storytelling but also gives students practice with shaping and handling paper, boosting their dexterity. The final snowman craft is both adorable and eye-catching—ideal for a winter-themed display.
☕ Hot Cocoa: My Favorite Time to Drink Hot Chocolate
Who doesn’t love hot cocoa during the holidays? In this craftivity, students write about their favorite moments to enjoy a cozy cup of cocoa. They then design a 3D mug by coloring, cutting, and curling strips of paper to create “steam” rising from the mug.
This project is perfect for practicing curling techniques with pencils and working with layers of paper to build a dynamic, textured design. The finished mugs are colorful, charming, and sure to bring warmth to your classroom displays.
❄️ Igloo: If I Lived in an Igloo
Students explore their imaginations by writing about what life would be like living in an igloo. The craft itself involves assembling a simple yet striking igloo design by layering paper “bricks.” This repetitive cutting and layering strengthens hand-eye coordination and precision.
The result is a clean, geometric craft that pairs beautifully with the written work, offering students and teachers a polished winter-themed project to showcase.
🎅 Santa: If I Were Santa
What would it be like to step into Santa’s boots? Students write their answers to this fun prompt and then create a fringed Santa hat to accompany their work. The craft involves cutting precise fringes into paper strips, which is an excellent way to develop fine motor control.
The completed Santa hats add a playful and festive touch to your displays, giving students a sense of pride and accomplishment when their work is showcased.
Why These Craftivities Stand Out
By combining creative writing with crafting, these activities offer a well-rounded learning experience. Students get to practice essential skills, such as:
- Writing : Developing ideas, improving sentence structure, and expressing themselves.
- Fine Motor Skills : Cutting, gluing, curling, and layering paper to create their crafts.
- Visual Design : Thinking critically about color, shape, and presentation.
Not only do these craftivities support skill-building, but they also transform your classroom into a festive and welcoming space. Parents love seeing their children’s work displayed, and students take pride in contributing to the seasonal decor.
With this pack, you’re not just teaching writing—you’re creating memories, fostering creativity, and building valuable skills in a way that students will cherish.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Related posts, empower your students to achieve their academic goals with smart tools.
Bring the World to Your Classroom with This Adorable Christmas Around the World Project!
Thanksgiving Explorations – A Cornucopia Discovery
Leave a comment cancel reply.
subscribe to our newsletter
- 57 Christmas Writing Prompts
List of Christmas writing prompts, plus an advent calendar.
Another Christmas has come! This year we are using Christmas writing prompts to countdown the days until Christmas. Not only are our Christmas writing prompts fun, but they will also encourage your child to do a bit of writing each day. I know writing is not the same as getting chocolates each day, but it is more special, especially If your child loves writing. If your child dislikes writing, don’t worry! They will still find each writing prompt fun to read and who knows with a little encouragement they might even write a few words! You could even use these wonderful Christmas pictures for kids to inspire your child to write!
Christmas Writing Prompts Advent Calendar
How does our writing prompts advent calendar work? Easy! Simply come back each day and click on the number to open up your surprise Christmas writing prompt. When it’s Christmas day, you will have a collection of 24 Christmas writing prompts that you can use over and over again!
If you enjoyed this advent calendar, check out our other advent calendars, such as 24 days of Christmas poems and 24 days of Christmas quotes from storybooks ! And our newest 2020 advent calendar for daily December journal prompt ideas .
List Of Christmas Writing Prompts
If you’re having technical issues with our advent calendar above, then here is a list of all the Christmas writing prompts included. We also added a couple of bonus prompts to give you more inspiration this holiday season.
- You wake up to the sweet sound of a Christmas elf singing. (You might find this cute Christmas elf name generator useful for naming your elves)
- In a rush, Santa forgot about one special present.
- Knock knock, open up! There’s a Grinch at your door.
- Santa’s given up and given his job to you for a whole year.
- Instead of coal, Santa turns you into a reindeer for being naughty.
- Oh No! My hand is melting. I’m a snowman!
- A weird and strange-shaped present was hidden in your garage.
- Hear the jingle, hear the jangle, Christmas trees dance tonight.
- A kid with a white beard, what’s happening to me?
- Anger and frustration at Santa’s workshop, as Christmas elves start quitting their jobs.
- You receive a knitted jumper for Christmas, but this is no ordinary jumper.
- Christmas lights show Santa the way, and keep the Grinch away!
- The secret ingredient to Santa cookies is shaping them like Santa or else…
- I wake up and instead of snow, I see candy canes everywhere.
- You bake a gingerbread man and it comes to life!
- The Grinch steals Santa’s sleigh. How will Santa deliver presents?
- The Christmas tree thought to itself, “I sure look pretty tonight! But what will happen to me when Christmas is over?”
- It is the year 2020, and Christmas has been banned all over the world!
- Santa’s such a cool guy! I wonder what he wants for Christmas? (See this post on how to write a letter to Santa for more inspiration,)
- The funniest thing happened last night – Santa got stuck in the chimney!
- All the Christmas elves cheered for Santa as he left, apart from one jealous little elf.
- Grandma always said this snow globe was magic, so I shook it to see…
- There once was a cow who wanted to be one of Santa’s reindeer.
- The star at the top of the tree started glowing and shaking. A big flash and we were gone…
- Plan the best Christmas dinner party ever. What food will you serve? Think about the decorations and the entertainment.
- Write a day in the life story of a Christmas elf working in Santa’s workshop, the day before Christmas.
- What was the best present you ever got for Christmas, and why?
- What is the true meaning of Christmas? Think about why people celebrate Christmas every year.
- Write your own Christmas carol (or song) about families coming together at Christmas time.
- Create your own Christmas cards for each of your friends. Remember to include a lovely message inside!
- What is the most important thing you do on Christmas day?
- What would the perfect Christmas day look like to you? Explain this day in great detail.
- Write down at least three things you love about Christmas. Now write down a list of three things you hate about Christmas.
- What is your favourite movie to watch during the Christmas holidays, and why?
- If you could buy Santa Claus one gift, what would it be and why?
- Make a list of at least ten ways that you can help someone else this Christmas holiday.
- How did your parents or grandparents celebrate Christmas when they were younger? How is it different from how you celebrate Christmas now?
- You find a magical snow globe. The first time you shake this snow globe, a Christmas elf appears. The elf grants you one wish. What would you wish for and why?
- Imagine you are an elf at Santa’s workshop. Santa has given you the special task of designing your own Christmas toy. Draw a picture of this new toy, and provide a description of it.
- Make a list of your top five favourite Christmas songs.
- One of your close friends is really sick, and they have to spend Christmas in a hospital. How can you make sure they have the best Christmas ever?
- Write a Christmas story about an ornament passed down through your family for generations.
- Write about the worst Christmas ever. This can be a fictional story or based on true events.
- Make a list of at least five DIY Christmas gifts you can make at home.
- Write a story about a robin who needs to find the perfect Christmas present for their best friend, the crow.
- You receive a Christmas present from a secret Santa. You make it your quest to find out who this person is.
- A horrible villainous character wants to make amends this Christmas. Write about their journey, and if they are successful at making amends.
- Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer gets stuck in your chimney, and Santa is nowhere to be seen. Continue this story.
- A Christmas card arrives from the future in your mailbox. It tells you to go to the mall fountain at midnight. Continue this story.
- Your next-door neighbour is alone on Christmas day. What can you do to help them?
- Make a list of at least five fun activities you can do on Christmas day.
- Make a list of your top five Christmas foods.
- Write a story about a character who is trying to plan the perfect Christmas dinner for their family, but things keep going wrong.
- Think about how Christmas is celebrated in other cultures and countries. Pick at least three different cultures, and write about Christmas day for each.
- Design your own gingerbread house. What kind of house would it be? What kind of decorations would you add?
- How can you help the less fortunate this Christmas? Make a list of at least 10 ways you can help them.
- Complete this sentence in three different ways: Christmas is all about…
For more ideas take a look at this list of Christmas story ideas . You might also want to view this Christmas book title generator for further inspiration for your festive tales.
What do you think of our Christmas writing prompts and advent calendar? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments loading...
The Best Christmas Writing Activities [75 Prompts]
As the Christmas season approaches, we have the perfect opportunity to capitalize on this enthusiasm by introducing fun Christmas writing activities that are both engaging and educational.
From first grade to upper elementary students, these activities can make the month of December a great time for fostering creativity, reinforcing important writing skills, and spreading a little Christmas cheer.
So whether you’re looking for creative writing prompts, persuasive writing exercises, or ways to incorporate social studies into your writing lessons, this guide includes fun ideas that will keep your students motivated and eager to learn right up until winter break.
The Best Christmas Writing Activities for Kids
Letter writing to santa claus and beyond.
One of the classic Christmas writing activities that students of all ages enjoy is writing letters to Santa Claus, Rudolph, or any other well-known Christmas character.
This activity is a great way to get young students excited about writing while practicing complete sentences and letter format.
In first grade and 2nd grade, students can write simple letters, expressing their wishes and asking questions about life at the North Pole.
To expand this activity, have students write letters from different perspectives.
For example, students could write as one of Santa’s elves, describing what it’s like to prepare for Christmas Eve.
Alternatively, they could write a letter as if they were Santa Claus, explaining how they manage to deliver presents to children around the world in one night.
This twist on the classic letter-writing activity encourages creative writing skills and allows students to explore different points of view.
Incorporating letter writing into your writing centers is a great addition to your classroom activities during December.
You can set up a festive writing center with vocabulary cards related to the Christmas theme, colorful stationery, and envelopes.
This center can be a place for students to practice their writing independently or with partners.
Christmas Story Writing with Story Starters
Christmas story writing is a great activity to stretch your students’ imaginations.
However, be sure to provide graphic organizers as a way to help students gather their thoughts and plan their stories.
These organizers can focus on beginning, middle, and end, or simply pinpoint the topic and supporting details.
These tools not only aid in structuring students’ writing but also reinforce important writing skills like organizing thoughts and using complete sentences.
Consider using story starters as a unique way to help students overcome the challenge of beginning their stories.
Here are 25 Christmas prompts to get them started:
Christmas Story Prompts
- “On Christmas Eve, I heard a noise coming from the chimney, and when I peeked inside…”
- “When I woke up on Christmas morning, I found a Christmas present under the tree that was not there the night before…”
- “Santa’s elves were busy preparing for Christmas Day, but one elf discovered a gingerbread house that was actually…”
- “Imagine you could spend Christmas time at the North Pole. What adventures would you have?”
- “On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus realized he had forgotten the most important gift at the North Pole. What happened next?”
- “You wake up to find that your house has turned into a giant gingerbread house overnight. Describe the magical day that follows.”
- “A young elf at the North Pole has invented a new toy, but something goes wrong. How do they fix it before Christmas Day?”
- “Your Christmas tree comes to life and starts telling stories from its past. What stories does it share?”
- “A snowstorm traps Santa Claus in your town. How does the entire class come together to help him deliver the presents?”
- “On Christmas morning, you discover that you’ve been chosen to be Santa’s helper for the day. What tasks do you need to complete?”
- “A group of gingerbread men escape from their gingerbread house. Describe their adventure as they explore your school.”
- “Santa’s reindeer have gone on strike just before Christmas Eve. How does Santa manage to deliver all the presents?”
- “You receive a mysterious Christmas present with no name tag. What’s inside, and who do you think sent it?”
- “Your classroom is magically transported to the North Pole. What is the first thing you do?”
- “Santa Claus accidentally leaves behind one of his elves. What happens when you discover him in your house?”
- “Your Christmas tree decorations start whispering to each other. What are they saying, and what secret do you uncover?”
- “You’ve been asked to create a brand new Christmas carol. What is it about, and how does it become popular?”
- “A letter you wrote to Santa Claus years ago finally gets delivered. What happens when you receive a reply?”
- “You find a hidden door in the back of your classroom that leads to a winter wonderland. Describe what you find there.”
- “You’re in charge of organizing a Christmas parade in your town. What floats and performances do you plan, and how does the parade go?”
- “A new student from a different country shares their unique Christmas tradition with the class. What is it, and how do you celebrate together?”
- “You’re invited to spend Christmas at the North Pole. Describe the magical things you see and do.”
- “One of Santa’s elves is missing, and it’s up to you to find them before Christmas Eve. Where do you look, and what clues do you follow?”
- “Your family’s Christmas tree suddenly starts growing taller and taller. What happens as it reaches the ceiling and beyond?”
- “On Christmas Eve, you discover that Santa Claus has been leaving gifts for your family for generations. What special gift do you receive this year, and what is its significance?”
These prompts are the perfect addition to your lesson plans and can be easily adapted for different grade levels.
For younger students in first grade and 2nd grade, encourage them to focus on simple story elements like characters, setting, and a problem that needs to be solved.
Older students in 3rd grade through 5th grade can dive deeper into their stories, adding more complex plots and much more descriptive language.
Persuasive Writing with a Christmas Twist
Persuasive writing is an essential skill that students need to develop, and what better time of the year to practice this than during the Christmas season?
A fun way to introduce persuasive writing is by asking students to write letters convincing Santa Claus that they deserve to be on the “Nice List.”
If you don’t really like that idea, I have 25 more for you to chose from.
Here are 25 prompt ideas for persuasive writing.
Christmas Persuasive Writing Prompts
- “Convince Santa Claus to bring you the best present this year.”
- “Write a letter to your parents convincing them to start a new Christmas tradition.”
- “Argue why your Christmas tree should be the biggest in town.”
- “Persuade Santa’s elves to let you visit the North Pole and help prepare for Christmas Day.”
- “Should our classroom be decorated with Christmas decorations? Why or why not?”
- “Is it more fun to give Christmas presents or to get them? Explain why.”
- “Should Santa use a new kind of sleigh that’s better for the Earth? Why or why not?”
- “Is Christmas Eve better than Christmas Day? Tell why you think so.”
- “Should we always say thank you when we get a Christmas present? Why is that important?”
- “Should Santa give presents to kids who are sometimes naughty? What do you think?”
- “Is it more fun to stay home for Christmas or to visit somewhere special? Explain why.”
- “Should gingerbread houses be judged by how yummy they taste or how nice they look? What do you think?”
- “Is it better to have a real Christmas tree or a pretend one? Which one do you like more?”
- “Should we sing Christmas songs at school every year? Why or why not?”
- “Is sending Christmas cards important, or is it okay to send a message on the computer instead? Tell us why.”
- “Should we wear Christmas clothes to school in December? What do you think?”
- “Should we listen to Christmas music everywhere we go in December? What do you think?”
- “Is Christmas the best holiday? Explain why you think it is or isn’t.”
- “Should we have a gingerbread house contest at school? Tell us why.”
- “Is it important to learn about how people celebrate Christmas in other countries? Why or why not?”
- “Should we have less homework so we can have more time with our families during Christmas? What do you think?”
- “Is it better to get one big Christmas present or lots of small ones? Which do you like more?”
- “Is watching Christmas movies an important part of Christmas? Explain why or why not.”
- “Should our school have a Christmas parade every year? Why do you think that’s a good idea?”
- “Is it better to make Christmas gifts by hand or buy them from a store? Which one do you like more?”
To make the persuasive writing more rigorous, consider incorporating a social studies element, where each student researches the Christmas traditions of a different country and picks one unique tradition about which to write.
The persuasive essay would focus on why their chosen tradition should be adopted in the classroom or at home.
This enhances student writing, broadens each student’s cultural awareness, and helps them learn how to construct logical and effective arguments.
Creating Holiday Cards with Thoughtful Messages
Creating Christmas cards is another one of my favorite Christmas writing activities because it doesn’t require a lot of preparation.
And because most students already have some prior knowledge and context for what a card is and what it’s for, they can easily envision how a card designed for the holiday season would look.
Younger students will want to design their own holiday cards and focus on writing a short, simple sentence (or two) with a personalized message wishing someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.
Older students should be challenged to write thoughtful messages that express what they appreciate about the recipient or their hopes for the holiday season.
This activity not only allows students to practice their writing but also encourages them to think about others with an attitude of kindness and gratitude.
To add a creative twist, you can always integrate graphic arts by having students illustrate their cards or use digital tools to create a pdf file version that can be printed or emailed.
This can be particularly engaging for upper elementary students who enjoy combining visual arts with writing.
Journal Writing with a Christmas Theme
Journal writing is a great activity for daily practice regardless of the season because it allows students to reflect on their own experiences and express their thoughts and feelings in writing.
If you don’t have this added into your writing block, consider starting it now since December would be the perfect time of year to introduce this practice.
Here are 25 engaging Christmas journal prompts that you can use.
Christmas Journal Prompts
- “What is your favorite Christmas memory, and why?”
- “Describe your idea of a winter wonderland.”
- “Write about a time when you gave someone the best present they’ve ever received.”
- “What does the holiday spirit mean to you?”
- “If you could spend Christmas time anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?”
- “What does your perfect Christmas morning look like? Describe it from the moment you wake up.”
- “If you could spend one day at the North Pole, what would you do?”
- “Write about your favorite Christmas tradition with your family. Why is it special to you?”
- “If you were one of Santa’s elves, what kind of toys would you make?”
- “What would you do if you woke up to find a reindeer in your backyard?”
- “Describe what you think Santa Claus does the day after Christmas.”
- “What would you ask Santa for if you could have anything in the world?”
- “Imagine you could decorate a Christmas tree any way you wanted. What would it look like?”
- “Write a story about a snowman that comes to life on Christmas Eve.”
- “If you could give a Christmas gift to anyone in the world, who would it be and why?”
- “Write about the best Christmas present you’ve ever received. What made it so special?”
- “Imagine Santa got stuck in your chimney. How would you help him get out?”
- “Describe a time when you did something kind for someone else during the Christmas season. How did it make you feel?”
- “What would happen if your Christmas tree started talking to you? What would it say?”
- “Write about a time when you helped decorate for Christmas. What was your favorite part?”
- “Imagine you could design a new Christmas toy. What would it be, and how would kids play with it?”
- “What would you do if Santa left you in charge of delivering presents for one night?”
- “Describe how your family gets ready for Christmas. What do you like most about the preparations?”
- “If you were Santa Claus for a day, how would you celebrate Christmas after delivering all the presents?”
- “Write about your favorite Christmas memory. Why does it stand out to you?”
Journal writing can be adapted for independent work or group discussions, and it’s a great way to assess students’ writing skills in a low-pressure environment.
Christmas Story Collaboration as a Class
Collaborative writing is a fun activity that brings the entire class together, and one of my favorite Christmas writing ideas is to create a class Christmas story.
This can be done as a whole-class activity where each student contributes a paragraph to the story, or in small groups where each group writes a different part of the story.
To make this activity even more engaging, assign roles such as “story planner,” “character developer,” “setting creator,” and “plot organizer.”
Each student or group of students takes on a specific role, ensuring that the story is cohesive and well-developed.
For example, you could start the story with a Christmas Eve setting, where the characters discover a magical Christmas tree in the middle of a snowy forest at the North Pole.
As the story progresses, Santa’s elves might make an appearance, leading to an exciting adventure that concludes on Christmas Day.
This collaborative effort not only enhances creative writing skills but also builds a sense of community within the classroom.
Christmas Writing Across the Curriculum
Integrating Christmas writing activities into other subjects is a great way to reinforce writing skills while also covering necessary content in areas like social studies, math, and science.
Here are 7 cross-curricular Christmas writing ideas
Christmas Around the World Passport (Social Studies & Writing)
Students create a “passport” booklet and fill it with entries about Christmas traditions from different countries.
Each day, after learning about a new country’s holiday celebrations, students will write a sentence or short description and draw a picture of what they learned.
This helps students practice writing while exploring different cultures.
Elf Math Story Problems (Math & Writing)
Students solve simple math problems related to Santa’s elves, like how many toys they can make in an hour or how many gifts fit in Santa’s sleigh.
After solving the problems, they will write a short story about the elves’ busy day at the North Pole, incorporating the math they just used.
Candy Cane Science Reports (Science & Writing)
Conduct a fun science experiment by observing what happens when candy canes are placed in different liquids (water, vinegar, soda).
Students then write a sentence, paragraph, or mini-report about what they did, what they saw, and what they learned.
This helps them practice writing about their observations in science.
Christmas Poetry and Music (Language Arts & Music)
Introduce students to simple holiday poems and help them create their own, using descriptive words about Christmas.
Students can also create a song or rhyme to go along with their poem, helping them explore the rhythm and sound of words while celebrating the holiday.
Gingerbread House How-To (Art & Writing)
Students design and build a gingerbread house out of paper, then write simple instructions on how they made it.
This activity combines art with procedural writing, as students practice explaining each step in a clear and simple way.
Christmas Cookie Recipes (Math & Writing)
Students write down the steps for making their favorite Christmas cookies using transition words.
Then they can figure out how to double the recipe or divide up the portions.
This activity is great for practicing both writing instructions and basic math skills.
Christmas Diary from the Past (History & Writing)
Students imagine what Christmas was like for kids in the past and write a diary entry from the perspective of a child who lived long ago.
They could pretend to be a pioneer child or someone from another historical period, helping them connect history with creative writing.
Christmas-Themed Writing Centers
Now that we have discussed several of my favorite Christmas writing activities, I want to share the last one.
And that’s implementing all of the other ideas I’ve mentioned in this post into your classroom writing centers.
Any of these ideas will keep your students engaged in important writing skills, but setting them up in Christmas-themed writing centers will be so much more fun!
So let’s review a few of the things we already discussed (and a bonus activity) that you could include in your Christmas writing centers:
- Christmas Cards: Provide materials for students to create and write their own holiday cards for family members or friends. This activity reinforces letter writing skills while also allowing for artistic expression.
- Christmas Story Starters: Share some of the fun Christmas writing prompts to get students started on their own short stories. Include graphic organizers to help them plan their narratives.
- Christmas-Themed Journal Writing: Set up a journal station with festive writing prompts related to Christmas traditions, family activities, or winter break plans.
- Letter Writing to Santa Claus: Include a station where students can write letters to Santa Claus or Santa’s elves.
- Holiday Vocabulary: Create vocabulary cards with Christmas and holiday season words that students can incorporate into their writing. This helps build their vocabulary in a fun, seasonal context.
These centers could be rotated throughout the week or month, allowing students to work on different aspects of writing while enjoying the festive spirit of the Christmas season.
The holiday season is a great time to infuse your classroom with Christmas cheer while still focusing on important writing skills.
By incorporating these Christmas writing activities into your lesson plans, students will have so much fun they’ll forget they’re still learning throughout the month of December.
Whether you’re working with younger students in Kindergarten or 1st grade or older students in middle school, these Christmas writing activities will help you create a joyful, educational experience that your students will remember for years to come.
Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher (M. Ed.) turned literacy interventionist, blogger, podcaster, TpT author, and homeschooling mom. When she's not with her husband & boys, she's sharing her love for Jesus, designing websites, helping other teachers pursue online businesses, organizing ALL THE THINGS, or watching New Girl. Read More >>
IMAGES