14 works of festive short fiction that aren’t  ‘A Christmas Carol’  

A fun farcical novella that sees a host of bright young things gather at Lady Bobbin’s house for a Christmas party. Mitford (according to her sister Jessica) wrote Christmas Pudding for months “giggling helplessly by the drawing room fire”. It’s a fun novella that’s ideal for a winters day.

Sylvia Townsend-Warner, who most know for her novel Lolly Willowes, shows herself as a master of the short story form in these bittersweet tragicomic tales. Through the collection we encounter eccentric aunts, elopement to Paris, tangled marriages and murder…all told in a beautiful lucid style that’s perfect for a winter read.

Set in the world of Heartstopper, this novella is a festive story showing Charlie and Tori as they attempt to save Christmas. For those who enjoyed watching Nick and Charlie’s relationship blossom in the Netflix series this year, This Winter offers another glimpse into the world Osman has created.

Every December, a letter would arrive at the Tolkien household addressed to the children. It was from Santa. Inside were tales of life at the North Pole; accident-prone polar bears, wars with troublesome goblins and reindeer that get loose scattering gifts everywhere. These wholesome Christmas tales effortlessly conjure up a sense of magic that anyone will find hard to resist.

Technically yes, it’s a picture book, but at 80 pages I’m letting it have the novella label also. As the rest of the world sleeps, the gritterman goes to work on a job that has been his life. This is all soon to end thanks to intervention from the local council. This wonderful story from Orlando Weeks (former frontman of indie band The Maccabees) features illustrations and a downloadable soundtrack of original piano music and songs.

Beatrix Potter was a writer we all enjoyed as kids, and isn’t Christmas a time for rediscovering our inner child? The Tailor of Gloucester is a delightful story of resourceful mice who help out a tailor in need when the mayor requires a new coat in time for Christmas. With Potter’s beautiful illustrations, this little book will have you smiling cheek to cheek.

Three short stories from one of the country’s foremost novelists all centred around the festive period. From a mother watching her children in a nativity play to an elderly man spending Christmas with his childhood friend – all three of these tales capture a very human element that Atkinson displays so well in her novels.

Best known as the creator of the Moomins, most people outside of Finland might forget that Jansson wrote for adults too. This collection of short stories shows her skill with the form. From being snowed in, exploring the waters on a new boat, or preparing for the coming winter by replenishing stores, these tales dive headfirst into the season and will delight on a winter’s day.

If you haven’t read Breakfast at Tiffany’s or In Cold Blood this festive collection is a wonderful starting point to Capote’s work. This crisp collection of short tales features Christmas in the Deep South, a troubling meeting in New York at winter, and a miracle that occurs in a drugstore. These bittersweet tales are a great introduction to the work of a celebrated writer.

A beloved humorist, Sedaris shares his experience of working as a holiday elf in “Santaland” of Macy’s Department store New York. Sitting alongside 5 other Christmas stories, Sedaris shares his experiences of the festive season with his trademark observations, wit and satirical perspective.

This is a poignant and emotive novella about legacy, family and love. A father has a story he desperately needs to share with his son and is given the chance to do something remarkable for a courageous girl who lies a few miles away in a hospital bed. At just 80 pages this tale will sweep you up – a festive triumph from an internationally bestselling writer.

An unusual book that contains a mixture of short stories, Christmas recipes, fairy tales and fables. There are 12 stories in this collection all centred around the festive period and they range from a retelling of the nativity from the donkeys perspective, to a Dickensian style story set in Mrs Reckitt’s Academy for Orphans. A unique look at the festive period from one of the UK’s foremost writers.