1-2-3 Come Do Some More Creative Christmas Writing With Me

I like to dream up writing prompts that I think my students will get excited about doing.  With that in mind, I designed "Wishful Thinking". It's a unique twist on the practical "What I want for Christmas" or "Dear Santa" writing activities.  Here, money is no object (woo hoo) so the sky's the limit of what 5 super-fabulous gifts students can ask for.  

While they're "day dreaming" and jotting down a list of things, have them prioritize and put their "wish list" in the order of what they'd like the most.  Encourage them to be specific and use some adjectives.  Make a rule that they can't ask for a zillion gift cards or money.

They glue their final draft to the inside of a construction paper square, folding the corners over to "close" their "gift".  Add extra pizzazz, by having students glue a square of Christmas wrapping paper to the back of their square of construction paper.

For that finishing touch, top with a bow.  Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board.  Click on the link to view/download the Wishful Thinking writing prompt.

Continuing with writing, using a different twist, I made up a unique Dear Santa letter. Instead of students writing a letter to Santa about the things they'd like for Christmas, they choose someone they think should get an extra special gift from Santa, and write a persuasive letter on their behalf.

I've included a completed sample for you to share, or make one up of your own to help jumpstart your students' creative juices. Click on the link for the unusual Dear Santa letter. 

If you still want your kiddos to write the more common letter to Santa, click on the link for a fill-in-the-blank template that's perfect for little ones. 

"Welcome To My House" is an interesting and fun writing prompt. Students decorate their door, trim and glue it to a sheet of white paper that they also trim. Inside, they write their final draft completing the writing prompt: "Welcome to my home for Christmas..." 

Encourage students to use plenty of adjectives that involve their senses, to help describe what a visitor might see, hear, and smell, as they enter their home.

I've included a completed sample to help you explain the lesson. Have older students type their final draft. 

Students who don't celebrate Christmas, can simply write a "Welcome to my home" for another celebration or holiday. 

If you're doing a Christmas Around The World theme, students can choose a country, do a bit of research, and then write from that point of view, welcoming visitors to their home in France, Mexico etc.

Hang the doors on a bulletin board, with the caption: "Come on in, for some creative winter writing."  Click on the link to view/download the Welcome To My House packet.  

Finally, make writing a game, and you're sure to get your students' attention. 

There are several ways to play this Christmas Writing Prompt game.

The teacher decides how many spins students should take. 

There are character spinners, as well as "stuff" spinners.

Each item a child spins, must be included in their writing. 

Students can write a short story, a paragraph or even make up several sentences. 

I've included worksheets with headers, for them to write on. There's also a worksheet entitled "Spin and alphabetize".

Children can play independently doing their own work, or they can write with a partner or in a small group, collaborating together to make up a story.

For those of you who homeschool, or teach in a Christian school, I've included two nativity spinners.  PK kiddos can simply spin and tell what the picture is, and why it's important.

When everyone is done, have them share their story with the class.  Click on the link for the Spin A Christmas Story Writing Prompt Game.

Since writing is a hot button for me, I have a lot of writing prompts on my site.  So if you're looking for more, click on the link. They are easily adjustable for a variety of ages.

That's it for today.  I hope you found something to get your kiddos excited about writing.  I've barely made a dent in decorating, so I'm off to the basement to haul up some more Christmas magic.  Wishing you a joy-filled day.

"Of all the Christmas gifts you give, the most enduring will be those special moments of love and laughter. May the light of Jesus shine in your heart and home this holiday season."