An Untold Tale: Elena's Christmas

The Vampire Diaries: The Return #0.5

by L.J. Smith

This is a little sugarplum of a story brought on by the holiday season. It’s a fantasy, really, since I’m not sure you could work it into the two weeks Elena spent relearning to walk, talk, and identify the Senate Majority Whip on a television. It may exist only in Neverland, but I wanted to give a Christmas present.

Genres: Vampires, Young Adult, Short Stories, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Ebooks

10 pages, ebook

First published December 19, 2010

About the author

Smith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.

She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.

Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”

She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Reviews

[Felicia [Felicia's Ink(t)] · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute little story this was =]

[Carly Fries · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE THESE IN-BETWEEN STORIES! WHY ARE THEY ALL SO CUTE?

[Jamie Coudeville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have got to reread this series at some point. Totally forgot about Ms Flowers

[Arobis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved sassy Stefan here and Damon appreciating the gifts but the last part was unnecessary (esp for stelena lovers)

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.
Part my own fault because I don't remember much of this series. Part because the timeline doesn't seem to fit. Anywhere! And that frustrated me. Like when does this take place? In reference to the storyline. I loved seeing Mrs Flowers again. She was a favorite bit character.
The story also serves no purpose the character growth or development. Let alone, aiding the storyline. I saw no reason for this. It was boring. Not that cute. Mild holiday feels but that was about it. Maybe it is only worth reading during that time of year just for that sole reason.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This was just about readable, although a bit silly and sappy really. Honestly, I've yet to find the point of any of these little novellas yet, they all seem a bit crap really.
Why suddenly decide to have Christmas in summer?!

[Jovy · Rating 2 out of 5]

(silence for a long time......) I'm not sure why I did not like this story. They are all there and was in their own characters - Stefan the vampire in shining armor...Matt the noble protector...Elena the not-so-damsel-in-distress...and of course, Damon the persistent Prince Charming in his own way... - but I think there's something missing I just don't know what.

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ούτε τόσο χαριτωμένη, ούτε τόσο ενδιαφέρουσα ιστοριούλα της σειράς "Vampire diaries" -που έτσι κι αλλιώς είναι μέτρια-, αλλά σίγουρα καλύτερη από κάποιες άλλες, παρόμοιας αισθητικής και προσέγγισης που έχουμε διαβάσει κατά καιρούς.

[T.B. Caine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Booktube


4 stars entirely because its cute

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short tale feels is a quiet bonus chapter than a full-fledged story in The Vampire Diaries universe. While it gives loyal fans a nostalgic glimpse into Elena’s holiday spirit and brings familiar characters together in a softer, seasonal light, it doesn’t quite capture the thrilling tension, dark romance and dramatic twists that made the TV series so irresistible. The writing is pleasant and the festive tone adds charm, but the story lacks the energy and excitement fans have come to expect. For readers who want a cozy, lighter moment with Elena, it works—but if you’re hoping for the fun, fast-paced drama of the show (with famous trio of Elena, Damon and Stefan), this one may leave you disappointing with an intrigue of wanting more.

[Milagros Guevara Bernabé · Rating 1 out of 5]

Calificación: ⭐(1.4)

Opinión:

La historia se desarrolla en pleno verano, porque, ¿quién sigue las reglas del calendario? 😏 Elena, Stefan, Bonnie, Meredith y Matt deciden tener una celebración navideña en la casa de huéspedes de la Sra. Flowers. Me encantó el toque descarado de Stefan y cómo Damon aprecia los regalos, pero el drama estalla cuando Elena, después de proclamar su amor eterno por Stefan, termina besando a Damon al final. ¡Para los amantes de Stelena, esto es un golpe bajo! 🎄🤷‍♀️

[Hannah Monise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma noite de Natal em pleno verão americano, basicamente em julho.
Bonnie, Meredith, Matt, Elena e Stefan organizam um "Natal" com direito a árvores enfeitadas, cookies, limonada da Mrs. Flowers e até presentes. Como esperado em qualquer reunião dos amigos, Damon aparece para divertir a história mais ainda.
Esse pequeno conto é muito legal. A Lisa sempre prova que sabe escrever bem!

[The_Books_Music_Life · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2 stars.


This was an okay story. Did we really need this? No.

[Azbaqiyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot - 3
Character - 3
Writing Style - 3
World Building - 3
Cover - 3

Overall - 3 / 5

[Marwa Labhal · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm sometimes very confused by how some things are written..but cute nonetheless

[Juan Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Partially think I should have found this one over the holidays, but as it's a Christmas story not set during Christmas, it's just sweet and a little amusing. Damon up to his usual antics, Bonnie getting yet another kiss. Matt is rather amusing in all his up-right innocence wanting a kiss under the mistletoe. Elena is sweet this time in her version of kissing Damon, which is a nice change from her seeming like she's playing the brothers back and forth. Kind of surprised Damon went after Meredith, but then he is Damon. Overall just a cute little bit of fluff.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm...I don't know why I didn't really like it...I guess I had the feeling it was going nowhere. I guess it's written around Christmas as some kind of Christmas gift and that that was it's only purpose. It's a pity you see and feel that in that story and that you can read it between the lines. In the other short stories there was character development and showing, there was a storyline and a plot...none of it was in this very short story. So, might be a nice read around Christmas, but has not the interesting depth of the other two short stories I read today.

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"L.J. Smith's novel is a captivating blend of supernatural intrigue and teenage drama. The protagonist, navigating a world of vampires and witches, faces both love and peril. Smith's writing skillfully weaves suspense with a touch of romance, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The character development is strong, and the plot twists add depth to the storyline. While some clichés are present, Smith's unique spin on the paranormal genre sets this book apart. Overall, a thrilling read for those seeking a mix of the otherworldly and the everyday challenges of adolescence."

[Maud · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really get this story, maybe it's because I haven't read VD: The Return yet? Anyway, other then some holes I will surely fill up once I have read The Return, the story was cute and nice to read. I'm not much of a holiday person but this one was nice to read, Christmas in the summer sounds good to me too if it will be like this.

[Chandni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a pointless short story about the gang celebrating Christmas in July.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say these short vampire diaries I don't really understand them but I think that I may do if I attempt to read the vampire diaries again.

[Daiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little sugarplum of a story brought on by the holiday season.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuke kleine toevoeging, met beetje Delena dus ik ben tevreden!

[Denisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another rating: 4/10

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was sooo weird!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this little Christmas story!

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well....I must say you DEFINITELY see some Elena lovin' on Damon in this little story...

[Soraya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it