Santa Claus is a very popular element. He is the jolly figure who brings gifts. Christmas trees are also common, often beautifully decorated. Reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh are another element. Snow is often present, creating a wintery and magical setting.
One of the most popular elements is the transformation or change in characters. Just like Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol', many Christmas stories have characters who start off in a not - so - great state but then change for the better during Christmas. Also, the concept of a special star is popular, which can be related to the star that led the wise men in the story of Jesus' birth. The anticipation and excitement of Christmas day itself is also a common element.
Well, 'Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer' is a very popular Christmas story. Rudolph, with his shiny red nose, overcomes being an outcast among the reindeer and saves Christmas by guiding Santa's sleigh through the fog. 'Frosty the Snowman' is also quite popular. It's about a snowman that comes to life and has adventures with the children. And let's not forget about 'The Nutcracker', which is a classic Christmas story often associated with the ballet, where a young girl's nutcracker comes to life and takes her on a magical journey.
Redemption is a common element. In 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge is redeemed from his greedy and cold - hearted ways. It gives a message of hope that people can change for the better.
Isolated settings are also common. Whether it's an old, deserted house like in some haunted house stories related to Christmas or a lonely railway post as in 'The Signalman'. These isolated places add to the sense of dread and mystery as there are fewer people around to help or witness what is going on, making it easier for the supernatural to seem more menacing.
The 10 most popular Christmas stories include many beloved tales. 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' is a classic. It introduced the idea of Santa Claus as we know him today, with his sleigh and reindeer. 'Frosty the Snowman' is another popular one. Frosty comes to life with a magic hat and has all kinds of adventures. 'The Elves and the Shoemaker' is also part of these popular stories. The hard - working elves help the poor shoemaker by making shoes while he sleeps, which is a story that teaches about kindness and the magic of Christmas. All these stories contribute to the rich Christmas story tradition.
One of the most popular Christmas stories is 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Through these encounters, he transforms into a kinder, more generous person. Another popular one is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It shows the selfless love of a young couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other. And 'Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer' is also very popular, which is about a reindeer with a shiny red nose who overcomes being an outcast and saves Christmas.
One popular one is about the elf who got his pants stuck in the candy - cane machine. He ended up looking like a walking candy - cane himself. Another is the story of the reindeer who thought he could fly faster than Rudolph by wearing a pair of wings made from tinsel. Of course, he didn't get very far.
The Nativity story is probably the most popular. It's the foundation of Christmas. As I said before, it tells of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. It's depicted in countless nativity scenes around the world during Christmas.
There is the story of two neighbors who have secretly liked each other for a long time. On Christmas, there is a power outage in the building. They end up sharing candles and food in one of their apartments. As they talk and laugh in the warm glow of the candles, they finally confess their feelings, making it a very romantic Christmas encounter.
Well, 'A Christmas Carol' is super popular. Scrooge's transformation from a cold - hearted man to a kind - hearted one really embodies the Christmas spirit. Then there's 'The Little Match Girl' by Hans Christian Andersen. It's a rather sad story of a poor girl on Christmas Eve. She tries to keep warm by lighting matches and has visions. It makes people think about the less fortunate during the holiday season. And 'Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer' has a short - story version too. Rudolph, with his shiny nose, overcomes being an outcast and helps Santa on Christmas.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is extremely popular as an online story. It's a classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation during Christmas time.