Friendship is a theme that often shows up. For instance, in stories where the characters are friends and they do things together during Christmas, like decorating the Christmas tree. Another theme is forgiveness. Some stories might have a character who has been wronged but then forgives others during the Christmas season, spreading the message that Christmas is a time for letting go of grudges and starting anew. Also, the theme of gratitude is there, with characters being thankful for what they have during this festive time.
The themes often include kindness. In 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!', the Whos' kindness towards the Grinch even after he tries to steal their Christmas makes him change. Belief is another theme. In 'The Little Match Girl', the girl's belief in a better place as she sees visions while lighting her matches is part of the story. And of course, the joy of giving and receiving. In 'Frosty the Snowman', the kids give Frosty the gift of friendship, and he gives them the joy of his company.
They are often simple. For example, the plots are easy to follow, like in 'Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer' where the basic idea is about an outcast reindeer becoming a hero. They also usually have a happy ending, which gives kids a positive feeling. Most of them contain elements of magic, such as in 'Frosty the Snowman' where a snowman magically comes to life.
One main theme is giving. In many stories like 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', the Grinch learns about the joy of giving. Another theme is family. Christmas is often a time when families come together, and stories like 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' show the importance of family and friends during the holiday. And of course, there's the magic of Christmas, which is in stories like 'The Polar Express' and 'Frosty the Snowman'.
In a small village, there was a Christmas tradition. Every year, on Christmas Eve, a star would shine extra bright. A child named Emma heard this story. As she lay in bed, she stared out of the window, looking for that special star. She thought about how the shepherds might have felt when they saw the star long ago. Slowly, she became sleepy and fell asleep with the thought of that beautiful star in her mind.
One story is about a girl named Emma. On Christmas, she found a stray kitten outside. She brought it in and gave it some milk. When she woke up the next day, there was a little cat bed and cat toys under the tree from Santa. Emma was so happy to have a new furry friend for Christmas.
Gratitude could be another theme. The stories might tell of children learning to be thankful for what they have during the Christmas season. For example, a child realizes how lucky they are to have a warm home and food on the table when they see others in need. This helps them develop a sense of gratitude. And also, the spirit of giving is likely a theme. Stories may show characters giving selflessly, whether it's a gift, time, or kindness, which is an important part of Christmas.
One common theme is friendship. For example, in 'Room on the Broom', the witch makes friends with the animals she meets. This shows kids that even in spooky times like Halloween, making friends can be a great thing.
One common theme is the change of seasons. Fall brings a lot of visible changes like leaves changing color and falling, which are often depicted in these stories. Another theme is preparation for winter. For example, animals gathering food in fall stories is a way to show this.
Love is a common theme. For example, in many stories, characters show love for family and friends during Christmas, like sharing gifts or spending time together.
There are also themes of hope and faith. In 'Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus', it's about having faith in the magic and wonder of Christmas. These themes help to create the warm and festive feeling that is associated with Christmas short stories.