The Author's Spotlight ??

Here's another participant for week one of the weekly contest! If you're in the mood for something wholesome, this is the perfect story for you. It's a flash fiction that will give you the magic of Christmas!

By WonViolet

I hadn't been expecting any package that day. Compared to everything else, a small, neatly wrapped box on the doormat surprised me when I opened the door. There was no marking, no name, just this unobtrusive brown paper and string tied around it. I stared at it long, wondering if it was a mistake. But no one was around, and it didn't look like something I'd ordered. Still, curiosity gnawed at me.

ㅤI brought it inside, carefully removing the string and peeling back the paper. Inside was a delicate snow globe, the kind you might find in a quaint little shop during the holidays. It had a heavy glass dome, and inside was a small elf in a red jacket and pointed green hat, surrounded by snow and glitter. A swirl of white sparkles lazily swirled through the globe to make it magical, even when I knew it was only an ornament.

ㅤWhat really caught my eye more than the snow globe itself, though, was the note that came with it.

ㅤ"Shake and the Magic of Christmas will appear."

ㅤI frowned, squinting at the note. Was it a joke? A holiday prank? I glanced around, half-expecting someone to jump out and yell, "Gotcha!" But the room was still and quiet, save for the soft hum of the heater.

ㅤI rolled my eyes and laughed softly. "Well, it's Christmas," I muttered to myself. "Might as well indulge in a little festive nonsense."

ㅤI gave the globe a shake.

ㅤAt first, nothing happened. The snow inside swirled in the usual way, and I expected that would be the end of it. But then, the elf inside the globe blinked. I blinked too. Was I imagining it? The elf's tiny eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief, and then-

ㅤWith a soft pop, the elf shot out of the globe like a cork from a bottle. It landed on the kitchen counter with a soft thud, its small leather boots making no sound at all. I jumped back, my heart racing.

ㅤ"What the-"

ㅤThe elf stood up, dusting off its jacket. "Well, well, well," it said. For such a small creature, the voice was deeply surprising. "I see you decided to shake it after all. Smart choice. Now, Christmas magic is in your hands."

ㅤI was standing there dumbfounded. "What? How? You are... real?"

ㅤThe elf chuckled, a sound like jingling bells. "As real as the snow outside. And a lot more fun, I'd say." It grinned up at me, its tiny pointed ears twitching. "Name's Sprig, by the way."

ㅤI could only stare. This was insane. Christmas magic? Elves were supposed to be make-believe, fantasy stuff. Yet, there he was, standing on my counter, looking very real.

ㅤ"Wait a minute," I managed to choke out. "Why are you here? What do you want?"

ㅤSprig's eyes twinkled. "What I want, dear human, is to bring you a bit of joy, cheer, and all that holiday goodness you've forgotten." He hopped onto the edge of the counter, crossing his arms. "You see, not everyone believes in the magic of Christmas anymore. Some have forgotten what it's really all about."

ㅤI felt a pang in my chest at the elf's words. Christmas had always been special when I was a child, a time filled with family, laughter, and warmth. But over the past few years, it had been... different. Everything felt strained. The joy I once associated with the season had slowly turned into just another obligation: a reason to buy presents, to put up a tree, to pretend things were fine when they weren't.

ㅤ"Do you know what it's like to lose that?" I asked in quiet tones, more for me than Sprig.

ㅤThe elf tilted his head to one side, clearly studying me. "I know precisely what it's like. So that's why I'm here, to remind you. Christmas magic isn't about the decorations, the presents, or the food. It's about the people, the love, and the connections we share. It's about the joy that comes from giving, from remembering the good things."

ㅤI shook my head, not quite sure how I was meant to be receiving all this. "So, what? You are here to save the world, you mean? Clean up, make everything just dandy?"

ㅤSprig shrugged with an impish smile twisting his lips. "Not everything. Just you."

ㅤThe room jolted before I was able to do much more. It turned out to be a warm, golden light filling the space, and no longer was I standing in my modest, slightly cluttered kitchen, but rather in a grand living room. A roaring fire crackled in the fireplace, while outside the windows, the snow gently hit against the glass. There on the couch was my family. My father, mother, brother and sister were smiling, laughing, wrapped in the kind of warmth I hadn't felt in years.

ㅤ"You're not alone," Sprig's voice whispered softly, almost reading my thoughts. "Sometimes, you just need a little reminder."

ㅤI blinked, and in the next instant, I was back in my kitchen, the snow globe resting on the counter before me. I looked at it, my heart suddenly full, as if some unseen weight had been lifted.

ㅤSprig was gone, but his presence lingered like the scent of pine.

ㅤMy pocket was buzzing, and I pulled out my phone. It was a message from my sister, wishing me Merry Christmas. I smiled, typing a reply, and my fingers seemed to be moving with some newfound warmth and excitement.

ㅤMaybe the magic of Christmas wasn't about the big moments or the flashy decorations. Maybe it was in the small things: the memories, the people, and quiet moments of connection that fill in the gaps between the chaos.

ㅤAnd as I sat down to reply to my family's messages, I realized that Christmas had never truly left me.

ㅤIt was always here, waiting to be remembered.