December 21st is Short Story Day, here are 21 of the best holiday short stories to read now.. I have linked links to buy the book with the title as well as additional links to read the book online (where available). I have excluded a couple of the most popular stories like A Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi here.
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21 Best Holiday Short Stories to Read Now
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
In The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, Sherlock Holmes investigates a stolen gem found in a Christmas goose. Read the story online here
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie
I recall reading and also watching this story of Christie’s Poirot. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding is part of a series of short stories set in an English country house at Christmas time. It should have been the perfect place to get away from it all for Poirot, but no time to rest and all that!
Read it online here, or get yourself a copy of the book to gift (yourselves or someone) here.
At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov
Chekov’s At Christmas Time revolves around a married daughter who is estranged from her illiterate parents living in the countryside. It unfolds during the Christmas season, when the mother, unable to bear the separation any longer, seeks the help of another man known for writing letters, to convey their heartfelt message to their distant daughter. Read it here or get it here.
Burglar’s Christmas by Willa Cather
I have been meaning to read Willa Cather for a long while now, and glad I found this short story! I know I will be reading more by her soon. Set in Chicago on a cold Christmas Eve, this story revolves around one William Crawford, thief, who soon learns the value of redemption and forgiveness. Read it here or get it here
You can find this story in Willa Cather – A Short Story Collection too.
A Christmas Dream by Louisa May Alcott
Well, of course, I love Alcott (you know that already if you have seen the many Little Women and Alcott posts on my blog!) so I have tried to read many of the little known books and stories by her as well. Alcott’s A Christmas Dream is her salute to Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Here, it is a little girl who finds herself visited by spirits, and it is a heartwarming sweet read.
You can read it here.
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
This autobiographical story of A Christmas Memory from Truman Capote is sure to tug at heartstrings as you read the interactions between a young boy and his eccentric cousin prepare for Christmas.
You can read the story here or get it here.
Christmas at Red Butte by L. M. Montgomery
There is more to Lucy Maud Montgomery than Anne, like I had previously noted in this post. And Christmas at Red Butte is just another example of this.
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck
A tender tale of love and selflessness, this story follows a man as he reflects on a childhood Christmas and plans a heartfelt surprise for his wife. I have enjoyed other reads by Buck before, including The Good Earth, and loved this one too.
Christmas Every Day by William Dean Howells
In this whimsical tale, a child’s wish for endless Christmases leads to unexpected consequences, exploring the magic and meaning of the holiday. Read it here and get it for yourself here.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
A haunting and suspenseful short story that unfolds a mysterious holiday gathering with a chilling twist. Definitely a must-read! Make The Christmas Guest part of your reading list this holidays…
The Dead by James Joyce
Set at a Christmas party in Dublin, this poignant masterpiece delves into love, loss, and the passage of time through deeply human characters. You can read it at onlineliterature or get a copy for yourself here.
The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen
This bittersweet fable follows the life of a fir tree, teaching timeless lessons about appreciation and living in the moment. Reminded me of so many other tales yet had its own distinctive voice. I am loving the look of this illustrated edition of the book with art by Sanna Annukka.
The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern
The heartwarming story that inspired It’s a Wonderful Life, about a man who learns the value of his own existence one miraculous Christmas. I love the story of this story as well! Get a copy of this for a loved one this holiday, for as I have mentioned many times before, a book makes The Greatest Gift after all!
Here’s to Love by Anne Enright
A reflective and moving story that explores love, connection, and the complexities of relationships during the holiday season. Read it here or you can read it in this beautiful short story collection from Enright – Yesterday’s Weather.
A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
In this tale, Santa is kidnapped by jealous evil forces, and his rescue reveals the triumph of goodwill and cheer. You can get this fab reprinted edition or read it here.
A Letter From Santa Claus by Mark Twain
A charming and heartwarming letter where Twain, as Santa, delivers a delightful and heartwarming message to a young girl – his beloved daughter in this case. Get this edition or read it online.
Papa Panov’s Special Christmas by Leo Tolstoy
This touching story captures the spirit of Christmas through a humble cobbler’s acts of kindness and the realization of divine presence. I love the look of this beautiful edition. You can read it here.
Reginald’s Christmas Revel by Saki (H.H. Munro)
I truly enjoy Saki’s stories, be it the ones that leave me teary-eyed or those with that brilliant humor with a Saki signature twist. Reginald’s Christmas Revel is the latter kind and is a sharp and witty take on holiday festivities as Reginald humorously navigates a Christmas gathering in true Saki style. You can read the story at AmericanLiterature or get it here.
The Set of Poe by George Ade
I read this one a couple of years ago and it brought to mind The Gift of Magi, albeit with a touch of satirical humor and wit! For those looking to buy that perfect gift for loved ones, be sure to read The Set of Poe for a laugh!
The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
A delightful and enchanting tale of a tailor saved by a group of industrious mice, bringing the magic of Christmas alive. Given this is a Beatrix Potter book, it is totally coffee-table worthy and full of her whimsical magic in both illustrations and the narrative. So get The Tailor of Gloucester for yourself or a loved one this holiday. Or if you prefer to read it online, you can do so here.
Tilly’s Christmas by Louisa May Alcott
Of course, I had to feature an Alcott story. Little Women is one of my all-time favorite reads during the holidays – well, any time of the year actually! Tilly’s Christmas is a sweet, heartwarming tale of kindness and simplicity, where young Tilly’s selfless generosity brings unexpected joy and a true Christmas miracle. You can also read it here.
And Now, the End of This Post
So dear reader, which one appeals to you the most? Which ones have you read and loved? And which ones will you be reading/getting for yourself to add to your bookshelf or for a loved one this holidays? Do let me know.
And as you settle down deep into the holiday spirit, you can dive into any one of these 21 holiday short stories, each filled with warmth, wonder, and festive spirit. As you have seen from the descriptions above, whether you want heartwarming tales or a touch of humor, there’s a story here to make your holiday season brighter. So cozy up with a cup of cocoa and let these stories fill your heart with joy!
Happy Holidays!
