December Writing Prompts

While December is packed with many different holidays, many with religious origins, the prompts below are for celebrating the less traditional, or even odd, events. Here is a list of writing prompts, one for celebrating each day in December.

You can use these as daily warm-ups, journal entries, or for other writing or speaking and listening assignments.

December Recognition

• Safe Toy and Gift Month
• Universal Human Rights Month
• Write to a Friend Month

Writing Prompt Ideas for December

• December 1 - Theme: Rosa Parks Day
  Read Rosa Parks' interview with Scholastic Magazine.
  Do you think that racism still exists? Give specific reasons for your answer.
• December 2 - Theme: Safe Toy and Gift Month
  There are many toys and items that were once commonly given to children that are no longer allowed to be sold. Good Housekeeping keeps a list.
  Do you think that this is a good thing? Why or why not?
• December 3 - Theme: International Day of the Disabled Person
  The Accessible Icon project has designed the new icon to display an active, engaged image with a focus on the person with a disability. The new icon is viewable at accessibleicon.org
  What is the message of this icon, or any other icon, that alerts pedestrians and motorists to be mindful of people with disabilities?
• December 4 - Theme: National Dice Day
  Many of your favorite games use dice (Monopoly, Risk, Trouble, Clue). What was one of those games that you played? Why did you like this game?
• December 5 - Theme: Walt Disney's BirthdayWhat's your favorite Walt Disney movie? Why?
• December 6 - Theme: Put on Your Own Shoe DayWhile this holiday may have started as a way to have students learn how to wear and lace up their shoes, you might want to write out what steps towards independence you have taken since you were a child.
• December 7 - Theme: Pearl Harbor Day
  Listen to President Roosevelt's speech on the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
  What makes the short speech so significant? What language makes this so memorable?
• December 8 - Theme: Pretend To Be A Time Traveler Day
  How far back in time would you go? To yesterday to correct any mistakes? Would you go far back in history? Where would you travel, and why?
• December 9 - Theme: Worldwide Candle Lighting Day 
  The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon. Who would you light a candle for, and why?
• December 10 - Theme: Human Rights Day
  Why do you think that it is important for the world to have a day set aside as "Human Rights Day?" Explain your answer.
• December 11 - Theme: Write to a Friend Month
  Write the first paragraph of a letter that you might send to a friend that you haven't seen for a long time.
• December 12 - Theme: National Cocoa Day
  If you were given a choice of a hot beverage, which of the following would you choose: coffee, tea, or cocoa? Why?
• December 13: Theme: National Day of The Horse
  Encouraging citizens to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States. If you cannot write about the horse, then what other animals would you suggest be celebrated on this date?
• December 14 - Theme: First Miniature Golf Course Opened
  Have you ever played miniature golf? What is your opinion of it?
• December 15 - Theme: Bill of Rights Day
  Do you think that freedom of speech should be absolute or restricted in certain circumstances? Explain your answer.
• December 16 - Theme: Boston Tea Party
  Are you the type of person who would have participated in the Boston Tea Party, throwing tons of tea overboard into the water to protest British laws and taxes?
• December 17 - Theme: Underdog Day
  Do you tend to root for the reigning champion or the underdog? Explain your answer.
• December 18 - Theme: Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day
  Describe the silliest thing you have ever worn (or been forced to wear).
• December 19 - Theme: Peace and Goodwill
  What is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for you? Write a 'thank you note' to that person for their actions.
• December 21 - Theme: Winter
  Write a poem or a short piece of prose about winter. Make sure to include the five senses in your writing.
• December 22 - Theme: Forefather's Day
  It is a commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on December 21, 1620.
  Who are your forefathers or ancestors? What achievements did they make?
• December 23 - Theme: Date Nut Bread Day
  Food historians believe that the date palm was first farmed in the Middle East around 6000 BCE. What foods that you eat today may be studied by food historians 1000 years from now?
• December 24 - Theme: National Egg Nog Day
  What's your favorite food to eat during the winter holidays? Describe it in detail.
• December 25 - Theme: National Pumpkin Pie Day
  Pies are meant to be shared. If you had to divide a pie to share, what would be the size of each slice? Why? Who would you share this pie with?
  OR
  December 25 - Theme: A’habet of No "L" Day
  A’phabet Day or No “L” Day is a pun on “Noel.”
  What is a pun? Read some examples. Can you write a few puns?
• December 26 - Theme: Boxing Day
  Boxing Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom. These boxes are, in essence, holiday bonuses. If you could not receive money as a bonus, what would you like to find in a box as a bonus for being a good student?
• December 27 - Theme: Visit the Zoo Day
  Pretend you were visiting a zoo. Which animal would you want to see first and why?
• December 28 - Theme: Card Playing Day
  Do you like to play card games? If so, which do you like and why? If not, why not?
  OR
  December 28: Theme Pledge of Allegiance Day.
  ​Congress formally recognized the Pledge of Allegiance on December 28, 1945.
  What do you think about when you make this pledge?
• December 29 - Theme: Bowling
  Have you ever been bowling? Do you like this sport? Why or why not?
• December 30 - Theme: Looking Back
  Write a paragraph detailing at least three good things that happened to you during this past year.
• December 31 - Theme: New Year's Eve
  How do you commemorate New Year's Eve? Describe your celebrations in detail.

Source

"Interview with Rosa Parks." Scholastic, 2019.