Notes from the Inkpot

Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.

70 Christmas Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas

70 Christmas Writing Prompts for Teens: Story Starters, Characters, Settings & Visual Ideas

Christmas is a season full of contrasts — cozy fireplaces and glittering lights, but also mystery, magic, and the occasional bit of chaos. These prompts invite teen writers to explore the holiday across genres, from festive romance and fantasy adventures to gothic tales and eerie mysteries. With 70 story starters, titles, characters, settings, and picture prompts, this collection sparks creativity for classrooms or independent writing, offering fresh takes on the season that go far beyond the expected.

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10 Best Christmas Poems to Teach (And How to Teach Them)

10 Best Christmas Poems to Teach (And How to Teach Them)

Christmas in the classroom is always a balancing act. You want something seasonal to capture the spirit of December, but it still needs the depth to justify lesson time. Poetry is the perfect answer. From Christina Rossetti’s wintry devotion to T. S. Eliot’s existential Nativity, these ten poems offer rich imagery, layered themes, and plenty of scope for creative writing.

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