Surprise elements are common. For example, a family member showing up unexpectedly. Another one could be unusual traditions like the ones I mentioned before, like themed Christmases or strange gift exchanges.
Chaos often plays a big part. There might be too many people in the kitchen trying to cook different things at the same time, or kids running around everywhere while the adults are trying to set up the tree. Also, pets getting into the middle of things, like a dog stealing the Christmas turkey or a cat knocking down the ornaments. There can also be family arguments that start over silly things like who gets to open their present first, but then end up being funny memories later.
One common element is family feuds. Maybe there's an old argument that resurfaces during Christmas. For example, two siblings might start arguing about who gets to sit at the head of the table, just like they did when they were kids. Another element could be ruined food. Like the turkey being overcooked or the Christmas pudding not turning out right. And then there's the unexpected guests who can bring chaos. They might be really loud or have different values and end up disrupting the family's harmony.
Unresolved family issues often play a big part. Let's say there was a feud between two sisters years ago. Christmas time just magnifies that problem as they are forced to be in the same room. They might exchange cold glares or make snide remarks throughout the day.
My family's Christmas story is that we once tried to cook a huge turkey. But we misread the cooking time and ended up with a charred outside and raw inside turkey. We all just laughed and ordered pizza instead.
One crazy family Christmas story is that my family once decided to have a 'themed' Christmas. We all had to dress as characters from a favorite movie. So there was my grandpa as Gandalf from 'Lord of the Rings' and my little sister as Elsa from 'Frozen'. It was chaotic but hilarious as we tried to open presents and cook dinner in our costumes.
Well, in my family's Christmas story, we had this tradition of making handmade ornaments. One Christmas, my little cousin got into the glitter and ended up covering the whole living room in it while trying to make a'special' ornament. It was a glittery mess but made for a great memory.
Unexpected events make a Christmas story crazy. For example, if a Christmas dinner is interrupted by a flock of wild turkeys storming into the house. It's completely out of the ordinary and catches everyone off guard.
Arguments are really common in bad family Christmas stories. It could be over something as silly as the color of the Christmas lights or more serious like financial matters regarding the Christmas celebration. Disappointment also features a lot. Maybe the Christmas dinner didn't turn out as expected or the presents were not what people hoped for. And sometimes, there's the feeling of being left out. If there are family traditions and someone is excluded from them, it can make for a bad Christmas story.
One common theme is the idea of a cursed gift. Like a present that brings bad luck or has some sort of malevolent force attached to it. For example, a music box that plays a creepy tune that drives people mad.
Miscommunication is very common. Family members may assume things about each other without actually talking. For example, a father might think his daughter doesn't want to spend time with him, but in fact, she was just really busy with school. Small misunderstandings like this can snowball into big family dramas over time.
The element of faith, whether it's religious or just faith in humanity, is often seen. For example, in a story where a community center was at risk of closing, people's faith in the importance of such a place led them to raise funds during Christmas time. Also, acts of kindness are a common thread. Small acts like someone giving a warm coat to a homeless person on Christmas Eve can be a part of a recovery story. It shows how kindness can have a big impact on someone's well - being and their path to recovery.