Add a bit of mystery or suspense. In your Christmas short story, you could have a present that keeps disappearing and reappearing. The characters then have to figure out what's going on. This element of the unknown will make the reader eager to keep reading to find out the solution.
Add some action and movement. Instead of just having a static picture of Santa on the roof, show him in the middle of climbing down the chimney. You can also use speech bubbles for the characters to add dialogue, like the children exclaiming how excited they are when they see the presents.
Use popular Christmas songs as the background music. For example, 'Jingle Bells' or 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'. The music will create a festive mood and draw more attention.
By using vivid descriptions. For instance, instead of just saying 'it was snowing', say 'fluffy white snowflakes were gently falling like feathers from the sky'.
Use vivid language. Instead of saying 'the man was sad', say 'the man's face was a mask of despair, his eyes dull and his shoulders slumped'. Also, add some unexpected twists. Surprise your readers with something they didn't expect.
One way to make a Christmas read aloud story more engaging is to create a cozy atmosphere. Dim the lights and maybe light some candles (safely). Share some background information about the story before you start reading. For instance, if it's a story about a Christmas tradition in a different country, talk about that tradition. Use hand gestures to emphasize important points in the story. And read with enthusiasm, really getting into the story as if you were living it yourself.
You can act out parts of the story. If the story mentions dancing, do a little dance move. Make it interactive by asking the toddler simple questions like 'What do you think will happen next?'. And you can even bring in some small props related to the story, like a little toy Santa or a reindeer plushie.
One could be about a child who wakes up on Christmas morning to find a special gift left by Santa that changes their life for the better.
A Christmas short story could revolve around a little girl who finds a broken ornament in the attic. She decides to fix it and as she does, she is magically transported to the North Pole. There, she meets Santa's elves who are in a bit of a panic because the reindeer are sick. With her determination and a bit of Christmas magic, she helps the elves find a cure and saves Christmas.
You can use props. For example, if you're telling the story of 'A Christmas Carol', you can have a little model of Scrooge's counting house or some chains to represent Marley's ghostly chains. This makes the story more visual and interesting.
Add vivid descriptions. For example, when describing a Christmas scene, don't just say 'it was a snowy day.' Say 'The snowflakes fell gently like feathers, covering the ground in a thick, white blanket that sparkled in the moonlight.' This helps the reader really picture the setting.