Here are 31 daily writing prompts for December, one for each day. The holidays are an introspective time of year when we reflect on fond memories, time-honored traditions, goals for the future, and personal growth. To celebrate and spark this season of reflection, I’m challenging myself to 31 days of daily writing centered around thoughtful holiday prompts.
Each day from December 1st-31st, I’ll use a unique prompt as inspiration for journaling, essay writing, or even fiction. The prompts explore everything from cherished holiday rituals to role models, accomplishments and lessons learned. Food, travel, gifts, and acts of kindness also make frequent appearances. I crafted them to evoke rich sensory details, provoke poignancy, and prompt vulnerability.
Join me throughout the month of December as I write to these 31 holiday-themed prompts. Let the thoughts, memories, dreams they conjure up warm you with holiday spirit. And if you feel inclined, create your own written responses to share in the comments! By documenting our traditions, values and life lessons, these prompts help make tangible the memories we’ll cherish in Decembers yet to come.
- December 1st – Write about your favorite holiday tradition. Why is it so special to you?
- December 2nd – If you had a personal chef who would make you anything you wanted, what would you ask them to cook tonight?
- December 3rd – What is the most amazing thing you have ever seen someone do? Describe what happened.
- December 4th – Where is the most interesting place you have traveled to? What sights, sounds, smells do you remember most vividly?
- December 5th – When you were younger, what did you think your life would be like now? How is your real life similar or different?
- December 6th – If you were in charge of planning school lunches, what would you serve that would be healthy but that kids would actually want to eat?
- December 7th – If you could be any fictional character from a TV show, book or movie, who would you choose and why?
- December 8th – What is your favorite way to spend a snow day? Describe the perfect snow day.
- December 9th – What is the best advice you have ever been given? How has it impacted your life?
- December 10th – What traditions does your family have surrounding the holidays in December? Where did those traditions come from?
- December 11th – What is the best gift you have ever given someone? What made it so meaningful?
- December 12th – What is your favorite winter memory? Why do you cherish that memory so much?
- December 13th – When you were a baby or toddler, what food did you hate to eat that you love eating now?
- December 14th – If you woke up tomorrow with a special talent like flying, reading minds or super strength, what would you do?
- December 15th – What would your perfect weekend look like? Describe your perfect weekend day by day.
- December 16th – Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life? How have they inspired you?
- December 17th – If you could talk to any animal, which would you choose and what would you talk about?
- December 18th – What is the kindest act you have done or seen someone else do? How did it make you or them feel?
- December 19th – What is your favorite winter activity? What do you enjoy so much about it?
- December 20th – When you were younger, who was your role model or hero? How have they influenced you?
- December 21st – If you could give everyone in the world one gift that costs no money, what gift would you choose and why?
- December 22nd – What is your favorite holiday movie? Why do you watch it over and over?
- December 23rd – What was the most memorable gift you ever received? What made it so special?
- December 24th – If you could stay one age forever, what age would you choose and why?
- December 25th – What does your perfect holiday meal look like? Describe the food, decorations and people.
- December 26th – What is one small thing that always brightens your day when it happens unexpectedly?
- December 27th – If you could meet anyone living or dead for dinner, who would you invite and why? What would you talk about?
- December 28th – What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? What made it so great?
- December 29th – What is one goal you have set for yourself for the new year? Why is that important to you?
- December 30th – What was your proudest accomplishment over the past year? Why were you proud of this?
- December 31st – What is one thing you learned about yourself this past year? How will that change how you live in the new year?
If you come up with anything you want to share, please leave it in the comments below. We have many other writing prompts on our site you may be interested in. We hope these inspire you!
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