Once Upon a Christmas: 40 Short Christmas Stories

By Daniel Lehtola

Step into a world of enchantment and wonder with Once Upon a Christmas, a delightful collection of 40 heartwarming short stories specially crafted for young readers. This magical book takes children on a mesmerizing journey through the holiday season, brimming with festive spirit, joy, and the magic of Christmas.

 

Explore the cozy landscapes of snowy villages, magical realms, and Santa's workshop as the characters discover the joys of giving, the spirit of togetherness, and the beauty of spreading love during the most wonderful time of the year.

 

Among these captivating stories are a few special gems that take readers on a journey to Lapland's enchanting Korvatunturi, the home of the Finnish Santa Claus, Joulupukki. Discover the fascinating traditions and myths surrounding Joulupukki, also known as the "Yule Goat," and his extraordinary adventures as he prepares for Christmas Eve.

 

These heartwarming stories will spark the imaginations of children and instill valuable life lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel Lehtola
• Release date: Jul 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9789526957760

Book preview

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Copyright © 2023 Daniel Lehtola

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN 978-952-69577-6-0

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Table of Contents

Twinkle

A Little Wooden Carousel

Robi

Max

The Candy Cane Chaos

Ho, ho, ho!

Sarah

Nutmeg

Sparkle

Robin

Emma

Timmy

Jack and Alex

The Christmas Tale of Billy and Anton

Mrs. Santa's Christmas Surprise

The Christmas Reunion

Farmer's Christmas Blessing

Alex and Elsa

Lucy

Frost

The Frozen Serenade

The Frosty Kingdom

The Magical Journey of Santa's Car

The Christmas Miracle at Korvatunturi

Joulupukki's Magical Gift

The Miraculous Journey of Joulupukki's Starlight

Petteri's Christmas Miracle

The Enchanted Blizzard

The Starlight Toys

The Melody of Christmas Magic

Paws' Christmas Tale

The Enchanted Christmas Box

The Starlit Yuletide Journey

Das Wunder der Weihnachtskerze

The Miraculous Brushstrokes

A Yuletide Hearth

A Victorian Christmas Tale

Charlie's Christmas Adventure

The Enchanted Journey Board Game

The Day After Christmas at Santa's Workshop

Twinkle

Once upon a time in the magical land of North Pole, nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and shimmering ice, there lived Santa Claus and his band of joyful elves. These elves were Santa's dedicated helpers, working tirelessly throughout the year to prepare gifts for children all around the world.

Among the many elves in Santa's workshop, there was one special elf named Twinkle. Twinkle was different from the other elves; he was smaller in size and had pointy ears that sparkled like stars. Despite being small, Twinkle possessed an immense passion for bringing happiness to children through his work. His eyes twinkled with excitement every time he saw a child's letter or wish list.

However, Twinkle faced challenges because of his size. Some of the other elves teased him, but Twinkle remained undeterred, determined to prove his worth. Santa, with his wise and kind heart, noticed Twinkle's dedication and decided to give him a chance to showcase his talents.

One day, Santa called Twinkle to his office and said, Twinkle, I see the effort you put into your work and the joy you bring to others. I have a special task for you this year. I want you to design and craft a new set of magical toys for children.

Twinkle's eyes widened with delight and gratitude. Thank you, Santa! I won't disappoint you, he said with determination.

Over the following months, Twinkle worked diligently on his new mission. He scoured the library of toys and gadgets from around the world, looking for inspiration. He combined his ingenuity with the wisdom of the older elves, and soon, he created a collection of unique, enchanting toys that filled the workshop with awe.

As the holiday season approached, Santa's sleigh was filled with the gifts made by the other elves and Twinkle's special creations. The night before Christmas, all the elves gathered to see Santa off on his journey around the world. As they bid him farewell, Twinkle secretly slipped a small, wrapped gift into the back of Santa's sleigh, hoping it would reach a child in need.

Santa's sleigh soared through the night, guided by the reindeer's magic, and touched the hearts of children everywhere. As the morning sun rose, the elves eagerly gathered around Santa to hear about the journey.Santa, with a twinkle in his eye, shared the joyous tale of a little girl named Emily, who lived in a small, forgotten village. She had been going through tough times and lost her smile. However, when she found Twinkle's special gift, her face lit up with joy and wonder. It was a small, glowing star-shaped toy that radiated warmth and love. Emily's heart was filled with happiness, and her belief in magic was restored.

The other elves were amazed and touched by the impact of Twinkle's gift. They realized that it wasn't the size or appearance that mattered; it was the love and care put into creating something truly special that made a difference.

From that day on, Twinkle became a beloved and respected elf in Santa's workshop. His creations became highly sought after by children all over the world. But more importantly, Twinkle's story inspired everyone to embrace their unique talents and to find joy in spreading happiness.

And so, the little elf with sparkling ears, Twinkle, continued to bring magic and joy to the world, proving that anyone, no matter their size or appearance, could make a difference in the lives of others. And the spirit of Christmas became brighter than ever before, thanks to Santa's elf named Twinkle.

A Little Wooden Carousel

Once upon a time, in a picturesque town nestled among snow-covered hills, there lived a young girl named Emma. Christmas was Emma's favorite time of the year, and she couldn't wait for the magic to unfold. The town transformed into a winter wonderland, adorned with twinkling lights, colorful decorations, and the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies.

Emma lived with her loving parents, and together, they celebrated the spirit of Christmas with joy and warmth. However, this year was different. Emma's father, who worked at the town's toy factory, was facing hard times. The factory was struggling to keep up with the demand for toys, and there was a possibility of layoffs.

Despite the tough times, Emma's father tried to maintain a brave face, but Emma could sense his worries. She decided to take matters into her own hands to bring some cheer back into her family's life.

One day, as Emma was strolling through the snowy streets, she noticed a poster announcing a Christmas toy-making competition. The winner would receive a grand prize, which included a generous sum of money and the chance to have their toy design produced and sold in stores.

Emma's eyes lit up with excitement. She rushed home and shared the news with her parents. I want to enter the competition and design a toy that will make everyone happy, she said with determination.

Her parents smiled, encouraged by their daughter's optimism. That's a wonderful idea, Emma. We believe in you, they said.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of creativity and hard work for Emma. She spent hours sketching, crafting, and testing various toy ideas. Her room became a mini-workshop, filled with colorful papers, glue, and a myriad of toys in progress.

Finally, after countless attempts, Emma created the perfect toy. It was a little wooden carousel, intricately designed with miniature animals and adorned with sparkling paint. The carousel had a tiny crank that, when turned, played a gentle, melodic tune.

On the day of the competition, the town square was abuzz with excitement. The air was filled with laughter and festive cheer. Emma stood nervously in front of her display, her heart pounding with anticipation.

As the judges examined the entries, they stopped at Emma's carousel. The melody it played caught their attention, and they marveled at the craftsmanship. The carousel seemed to carry a sprinkle of real magic.

When the winners were announced, Emma's name was called! She had won the competition! Tears of joy filled her eyes as she received the grand