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25 Gifts of Terror
25 nights. 25 horror stories.
"Thank you for choosing to work as a night guard at Santa Park. We're thrilled to have you on our team. Here are a few simple rules you need to remember during your night
1. Stay out of Santa's post office between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
2. Ignore the person calling for help from the gingerbread bakery - especially if that voice belongs to a loved one.
3. Do not trust the Elves.
4. Lights in the toy factory need to be kept on at all times. No exceptions.
5. If you notice someone peeking at you from behind the corners, do not run. Calmly walk back to the guardhouse and lock yourself.
Thank you for your contributions in keeping Santa Park a safe and family-friendly place."
25 Gifts of Terror is an advent-style 25 short horror stories read in 25 days, with the final story on Christmas. A perfect gift for a horror reader.
"Thank you for choosing to work as a night guard at Santa Park. We're thrilled to have you on our team. Here are a few simple rules you need to remember during your night
1. Stay out of Santa's post office between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
2. Ignore the person calling for help from the gingerbread bakery - especially if that voice belongs to a loved one.
3. Do not trust the Elves.
4. Lights in the toy factory need to be kept on at all times. No exceptions.
5. If you notice someone peeking at you from behind the corners, do not run. Calmly walk back to the guardhouse and lock yourself.
Thank you for your contributions in keeping Santa Park a safe and family-friendly place."
25 Gifts of Terror is an advent-style 25 short horror stories read in 25 days, with the final story on Christmas. A perfect gift for a horror reader.
356 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2025
1056 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
December 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Overall, I quite enjoyed the stories. While some were indeed very bad, the good ones more than made up for it.
Overall, I quite enjoyed the stories. While some were indeed very bad, the good ones more than made up for it.
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December 5, 2025I got to day 5 and I had to DNF. It's just not for me.
November 10, 2025
25 Christmas horror short stories that you will want to start on December 1st and read straight through to Christmas!! 🎄🎁🤩
I loved the variety of the stories in this collection - something for everyone, but make it terrifying! 😱💀
Here are a few of my favorites and their respective date to be read:
🎁 The Curse of the Santa Park - 12/1 (gave me Five Nights at Freddy’s vibes)
🎁 They Never Left - 12/6
🎁 Do Not Open - 12/10
🎁 The Empty House - 12/12
🎁 Christmas Capital - 12/17
🎁 The Call From The Deep - 12/18
🎁 The Ground Has Eyes - 12/19
🎁 Roomba - 12/21 (the last sentence took me totally by surprise 😅😂)
🎁 Lakeside B&B - 12/25
Highly recommend digesting this as an advent calendar, reading one story each day in December leading up to Christmas! 👏👏
Thank you to Boris Bacic for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
If you have not yet read anything by Boris, this one would be a great way to experience his excellent writing! There’s a reason why he’s one of my auto-buy/auto-read authors, book peeps!! 🙌
TW: suicide, bullying
I loved the variety of the stories in this collection - something for everyone, but make it terrifying! 😱💀
Here are a few of my favorites and their respective date to be read:
🎁 The Curse of the Santa Park - 12/1 (gave me Five Nights at Freddy’s vibes)
🎁 They Never Left - 12/6
🎁 Do Not Open - 12/10
🎁 The Empty House - 12/12
🎁 Christmas Capital - 12/17
🎁 The Call From The Deep - 12/18
🎁 The Ground Has Eyes - 12/19
🎁 Roomba - 12/21 (the last sentence took me totally by surprise 😅😂)
🎁 Lakeside B&B - 12/25
Highly recommend digesting this as an advent calendar, reading one story each day in December leading up to Christmas! 👏👏
Thank you to Boris Bacic for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
If you have not yet read anything by Boris, this one would be a great way to experience his excellent writing! There’s a reason why he’s one of my auto-buy/auto-read authors, book peeps!! 🙌
TW: suicide, bullying
December 23, 2025
This book takes a horror themed advent approach, counting down the days until Christmas with a new story each day.
I wasn’t fond of the black mirror or the research party ones. They were a tad boring and slow.
However the gory ones were good. Several of them even gave me a good chuckle. 😄
I wasn’t fond of the black mirror or the research party ones. They were a tad boring and slow.
However the gory ones were good. Several of them even gave me a good chuckle. 😄
December 26, 2025
I discovered advent books this year and I really like the story a day approach. It feels like a little gift. The thing with most short story books applied here though, which is that I liked some more than others. It makes it a little hard to rate when each story would likely have different stars. However, I can't think of any stories I really disliked or thought were bad. None would get under 3 stars in my opinion. Some were easily 5 star. I think the 4 is fair for an overall. I really loved some of these stories a lot and would recommend them. Some were well done but not my thing. Still, it was cool having a bit of variety and some different genres. It was fun. I stuck to the story a day pretty well until about half way through. Then I missed some stories here and there. I will explain that I took on way too many advent books and have learned my lesson. I think if you only read this one, the stories are very reasonable to keep up with. They vary in length quite a bit, but as I said for someone reading only one or even two I dont think any were so long you couldn't do it.
December 27, 2025
I read Per Jacobsen's Advent calendar-style book last year and had a lot of fun with it, so I thought I'd try another one this year. I think I like the format of one short story a day vs one chapter a day. There is definitely less temptation to skip ahead and you're never left with a cliffhanger. This collection is a mixed bag, but I did enjoy all of the stories. 3.75 stars
The Curse of Santa Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Normal Family ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Santa is Real and He Lives in My Basement ⭐⭐⭐.5
Persona Non Grata ⭐⭐⭐
F**k You, Santa ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
They Never Left ⭐⭐⭐.5
Touch Me Like You Hate Me ⭐⭐⭐.5
Santa, the Slavemaster ⭐⭐⭐.25
Helpingsanta.exe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Do Not Open ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Year Christmas Died ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Empty House ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Follower ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Perfect Body ⭐⭐⭐
Winter House ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Pinecone Experiment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Christmas Capital ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Call From the Deep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Ground Has Eyes ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Don't Let Them Inside ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Roomba ⭐⭐⭐.5
Feed the Static ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
If the Rocks Stare, Don't Look Away ⭐⭐⭐.5
Make Mommy and Daddy Die ⭐⭐⭐.5
Lakeside B&B ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Curse of Santa Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Normal Family ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Santa is Real and He Lives in My Basement ⭐⭐⭐.5
Persona Non Grata ⭐⭐⭐
F**k You, Santa ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
They Never Left ⭐⭐⭐.5
Touch Me Like You Hate Me ⭐⭐⭐.5
Santa, the Slavemaster ⭐⭐⭐.25
Helpingsanta.exe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Do Not Open ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Year Christmas Died ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Empty House ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Follower ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Perfect Body ⭐⭐⭐
Winter House ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Pinecone Experiment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Christmas Capital ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Call From the Deep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Ground Has Eyes ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Don't Let Them Inside ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Roomba ⭐⭐⭐.5
Feed the Static ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
If the Rocks Stare, Don't Look Away ⭐⭐⭐.5
Make Mommy and Daddy Die ⭐⭐⭐.5
Lakeside B&B ⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book and I should of read per day but I enjoyed the storyline
25 nights. 25 horror stories.
"Thank you for choosing to work as a night guard at Santa Park. We're thrilled to have you on our team. Here are a few simple rules you need to remember during your night shift:
1. Stay out of Santa's post office between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
2. Ignore the person calling for help from the gingerbread bakery - especially if that voice belongs to a loved one.
3. Do not trust the Elves.
4. Lights in the toy factory need to be kept on at all times. No exceptions.
5. If you notice someone peeking at you from behind the corners, do not run. Calmly walk back to the guardhouse and lock yourself.
Thank you for your contributions in keeping Santa Park a safe and family-friendly place."
25 Gifts of Terror is an advent-style book: 25 short horror stories read in 25 days, with the final story on Christmas. A perfect gift for a horror reader.
25 nights. 25 horror stories.
"Thank you for choosing to work as a night guard at Santa Park. We're thrilled to have you on our team. Here are a few simple rules you need to remember during your night shift:
1. Stay out of Santa's post office between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
2. Ignore the person calling for help from the gingerbread bakery - especially if that voice belongs to a loved one.
3. Do not trust the Elves.
4. Lights in the toy factory need to be kept on at all times. No exceptions.
5. If you notice someone peeking at you from behind the corners, do not run. Calmly walk back to the guardhouse and lock yourself.
Thank you for your contributions in keeping Santa Park a safe and family-friendly place."
25 Gifts of Terror is an advent-style book: 25 short horror stories read in 25 days, with the final story on Christmas. A perfect gift for a horror reader.
December 26, 2025
This book has a lot of potential. The prologue and first 7 or so stories had me hooked. It fizzled out after that for me. I was expecting all of the chapters to be Christmas themed, but as it went on, many of them were not, they just mentioned that it was December or it was snowing and that was it.
December 24, 2025
Maybe 5 stars?
I enjoyed this collection of horror short stories, most are Christmas themed. There were only a few out of the 25 I didn't enjoy. It was a fun daily thing to do leading up to Christmas. I'll look for a similar book next year.
I enjoyed this collection of horror short stories, most are Christmas themed. There were only a few out of the 25 I didn't enjoy. It was a fun daily thing to do leading up to Christmas. I'll look for a similar book next year.
December 11, 2025
what a good read. loved how it was a new story a day book. reminded me of books I read growing up. with so many stories in one book its hard for them all to be good but I love this idea and would highly recommend this read.
December 13, 2025
This book wasn't for me. Didn't keep my attention to well. I did finish it. Although it wasn't for me, it could be for you.
December 17, 2025
Very frightening
This was a collection of many short stories. The plan was to read one chapter per day through advent. I couldn't stop.
This was a collection of many short stories. The plan was to read one chapter per day through advent. I couldn't stop.
December 22, 2025
all the stories kinda repeated. he threw politics into it which, really man? cant we get enough of that irl we dont need it in our fiction too. over all out of 25 stories only one was decent.
December 22, 2025
Similar to other short story collections! Some are great and some weren’t but definitely a good advent calendar read even if I read more than one story a day lol. I did find over 350 pages for a short story collection was a lot.
November 11, 2025
25 gifts of terror is a treat for horror buffs with different terror scenarios. Here we have Santas who are malevolent instead of benevolent. While staying in remote and quiet towns seems like a good bet, what lurks within can make you a nervous wreck for the rest of your life. A couple stopping at a B&B for the night did not realise that answering a call for help would be so lethal. These and other stories had me totally riveted with some of them having unexpected twists. I enjoyed reading this book.
November 11, 2025
Christmas
An advent book of horror Christmas horror tales. A boy wants the perfect family. What happens when he gets his wish? A family has Santa in the basement. But he isn't the jolly person you expect. Keep an eye on the rocks. They might be watching you. These and other delightful chilling horrors await.
An advent book of horror Christmas horror tales. A boy wants the perfect family. What happens when he gets his wish? A family has Santa in the basement. But he isn't the jolly person you expect. Keep an eye on the rocks. They might be watching you. These and other delightful chilling horrors await.
December 27, 2025
Overall, was okay. First time reading this author and this was rather hit and miss. More of the "miss" variety but the ones that hit were great. I'd probably check out this author again. I really liked this storytelling style. This is the second or third I've read like this and have been disappointed. Hoping to find great one next year.
Below are my brief thoughts about each story. They don't go into detail - just references for me to look back on/thoughts about it for the future if needed.
The Curse of the Santa Park - 3*
Creepy. Reminded me of Five Nights at Freddy's. The ending was very fitting.
Normal Family - 2.5*
Classic careful what you wish for. Troy's character was annoying but he was a child so...
Santa is Real and He Lives in My Basement - 1.5*
Nothing much here. Feel like it had potential but maybe more was needed...?
Persona Non Grata - 3.5*
Very interesting concept.
Fuck You, Santa - 1*
Meh. Predictable. Did not like the MC, super judgy. Would have been better if ended at the break instead of going into the doctors' convo. Liked the present and the staff hearing bells though.
They Never Left - 4*
Oh snap. Really liked the ending. The format was perfect for this story.
Touch Me Like You Hate Me - 3.5*
Ending was a great touch. Reddit's part was unexpectedly funny.
Santa, the Slavemaster - 1*
Not much here. Not a new take either. Maybe if it was fleshed out a bit more. But I also don't like second POV...
helpingsanta.exe - 4.5*
Really enjoyed this one. My own love of games (both new and old) may have been an influence. I appreciated how parts were creepy (especially when my cats were reacting to random sounds in the house) and the game aspect combined with the reveal and ending...? Loved it. (I also loved that this one was written for my birthday, lol.)
Do Not Open - 1*
Didn't really hold my interest. Think it was the narrator. I am biased against children but I don't think an adult telling this would have made a difference here. Just... Wasn't for me.
The Year Christmas Died - 2.5*
Ouch. Can't imagine. Liked for the most part, was not unexpected.
The Empty House - 1*
Well... Lame. Predictable. Jealousy.
The Follower - 2*
The ending made up for the rest. Cannot give it more still though.
The Perfect Body - 1*
Couldn't get behind this one. Also, not really horror. Well, it's a different type. To be so focused on another person when you have a girlfriend...
Winter House - 1*
Writing style, 2nd POV. Appreciated the ending though.
The Pinecone Experiment- 3*
Interesting concept. Talk about messing with someone's head...
Christmas Capital - 1.5*
Writing okay. Just...Meh? Even as a child I did everything possible for my brother...
The Call from the Deep - 2*
This one got broken up between readings. However, I don't feel like it would have made a big difference. Had a lot of potential but didn't quite make it.
The Ground Has Eyes - 2*
Was okay. Maybe would have been better if I'd been able to read all the way through. Ending was disappointing.
Don't Let Them Inside - 1.5*
Maybe would have been better with any sort of explanation...? Child MC.
Roomba - 3*
Hah. Good ending. Silly piece.
Feed the Static - 1.5*
Meh. The bits with the TV and old station were just out of nowhere. Political. Rather lame ending.
If the Rocks Stare, Don't Look Away - 4*
Kinda creepy. Liked how things played out. Don't blink.
Make Mommy and Daddy Die - 3*
Short. Not much to it. Maybe better if longer...?
Lakeside B&B - 4*
Interesting take. Good length. Appreciated the ending.
Side note: I really didn't appreciate the take on tattoos and piercings here. Made it sound like it was published decades ago instead of just last month.
Short hair, a nose ring that screamed unresolved trauma.... One such example. A nose ring of all piercings...? I did chalk this up to the MCs since many of them did have different opinions about things but... Just rubbed be wrong. Not holding it against the author (at this time).
Mostly quick copy/paste review. May come back to this (but I'm always bad about it so probably not).
TW: Besides it just being horror and what that can entail,
Below are my brief thoughts about each story. They don't go into detail - just references for me to look back on/thoughts about it for the future if needed.
The Curse of the Santa Park - 3*
Creepy. Reminded me of Five Nights at Freddy's. The ending was very fitting.
Normal Family - 2.5*
Classic careful what you wish for. Troy's character was annoying but he was a child so...
Santa is Real and He Lives in My Basement - 1.5*
Nothing much here. Feel like it had potential but maybe more was needed...?
Persona Non Grata - 3.5*
Very interesting concept.
Fuck You, Santa - 1*
Meh. Predictable. Did not like the MC, super judgy. Would have been better if ended at the break instead of going into the doctors' convo. Liked the present and the staff hearing bells though.
They Never Left - 4*
Oh snap. Really liked the ending. The format was perfect for this story.
Touch Me Like You Hate Me - 3.5*
Ending was a great touch. Reddit's part was unexpectedly funny.
Santa, the Slavemaster - 1*
Not much here. Not a new take either. Maybe if it was fleshed out a bit more. But I also don't like second POV...
helpingsanta.exe - 4.5*
Really enjoyed this one. My own love of games (both new and old) may have been an influence. I appreciated how parts were creepy (especially when my cats were reacting to random sounds in the house) and the game aspect combined with the reveal and ending...? Loved it. (I also loved that this one was written for my birthday, lol.)
Do Not Open - 1*
Didn't really hold my interest. Think it was the narrator. I am biased against children but I don't think an adult telling this would have made a difference here. Just... Wasn't for me.
The Year Christmas Died - 2.5*
Ouch. Can't imagine. Liked for the most part, was not unexpected.
The Empty House - 1*
Well... Lame. Predictable. Jealousy.
The Follower - 2*
The ending made up for the rest. Cannot give it more still though.
The Perfect Body - 1*
Couldn't get behind this one. Also, not really horror. Well, it's a different type. To be so focused on another person when you have a girlfriend...
Winter House - 1*
Writing style, 2nd POV. Appreciated the ending though.
The Pinecone Experiment- 3*
Interesting concept. Talk about messing with someone's head...
Christmas Capital - 1.5*
Writing okay. Just...Meh? Even as a child I did everything possible for my brother...
The Call from the Deep - 2*
This one got broken up between readings. However, I don't feel like it would have made a big difference. Had a lot of potential but didn't quite make it.
The Ground Has Eyes - 2*
Was okay. Maybe would have been better if I'd been able to read all the way through. Ending was disappointing.
Don't Let Them Inside - 1.5*
Maybe would have been better with any sort of explanation...? Child MC.
Roomba - 3*
Hah. Good ending. Silly piece.
Feed the Static - 1.5*
Meh. The bits with the TV and old station were just out of nowhere. Political. Rather lame ending.
If the Rocks Stare, Don't Look Away - 4*
Kinda creepy. Liked how things played out. Don't blink.
Make Mommy and Daddy Die - 3*
Short. Not much to it. Maybe better if longer...?
Lakeside B&B - 4*
Interesting take. Good length. Appreciated the ending.
Side note: I really didn't appreciate the take on tattoos and piercings here. Made it sound like it was published decades ago instead of just last month.
Short hair, a nose ring that screamed unresolved trauma.... One such example. A nose ring of all piercings...? I did chalk this up to the MCs since many of them did have different opinions about things but... Just rubbed be wrong. Not holding it against the author (at this time).
Mostly quick copy/paste review. May come back to this (but I'm always bad about it so probably not).
TW: Besides it just being horror and what that can entail,
December 8, 2025
This is a brilliant "advent calendar" type of horror book, a collection of 25 stories of varying length, one for each day in December.
Today I've reached the eight tale, and it's a dark, dark, DARK one! Poor elves suffering under the spirit of capitalism, forced to work 12 hours a day, and Santa bullying them and making them disappear for the slightest mistake. This Santa is a guy inspiring dread the moment he appears! A chilling tale for nerves of steel.
Previous tales were incredibly different from each other, some reading more like creepypasta, others more typical of short horror stories. From a boy wishing for "a normal family" and a succubus messing with a guy's romantic life, to a monstrous Santa kept in a basement (that one was scary!) and dystopian scifi horror, you never know what's gonna come next! Great twists and shocking scenes of genuine Christmas horror!
I already have two favorites: the opening tale, "The Curse of the Santa Park," about a guy's first shift as a night guard in a Christmas theme park, and "They Never Left," a novelette told in diary entries, about a researcher spending time in a station in the Arctic, where some really creepy things are taking place! Both stories are terrific, and we've not even finished the first half of the month!
Today I've reached the eight tale, and it's a dark, dark, DARK one! Poor elves suffering under the spirit of capitalism, forced to work 12 hours a day, and Santa bullying them and making them disappear for the slightest mistake. This Santa is a guy inspiring dread the moment he appears! A chilling tale for nerves of steel.
Previous tales were incredibly different from each other, some reading more like creepypasta, others more typical of short horror stories. From a boy wishing for "a normal family" and a succubus messing with a guy's romantic life, to a monstrous Santa kept in a basement (that one was scary!) and dystopian scifi horror, you never know what's gonna come next! Great twists and shocking scenes of genuine Christmas horror!
I already have two favorites: the opening tale, "The Curse of the Santa Park," about a guy's first shift as a night guard in a Christmas theme park, and "They Never Left," a novelette told in diary entries, about a researcher spending time in a station in the Arctic, where some really creepy things are taking place! Both stories are terrific, and we've not even finished the first half of the month!
December 26, 2025
Holiday me apparently decided that one anthology was nowhere near enough, so I worked my way through three this season — and this one came out firmly on top.
As it turns out, committing to a chapter-a-day style read is harder than it sounds when the story actually needs momentum. Short stories, however? Absolute perfection. This collection worked so much better for me. Even though everything is written by the same author, none of the stories felt recycled or copy-paste. Each one had its own voice, its own vibe, and its own little punch.
Yes, there are Christmas-themed stories (it is the season, after all), but it’s not just tinsel and terror. You also get genuinely spooky tales, bizarre little gems, and some moments that are downright funny — I am still thinking about ‘Roomba’. Despite being short, every story felt properly fleshed out. Nothing felt rushed, pointless, or like filler to pad the page count.
If you’re already planning ahead for next holiday season (as one should), put this on your list. It’s the perfect pick for festive reading with a dark twist.
As it turns out, committing to a chapter-a-day style read is harder than it sounds when the story actually needs momentum. Short stories, however? Absolute perfection. This collection worked so much better for me. Even though everything is written by the same author, none of the stories felt recycled or copy-paste. Each one had its own voice, its own vibe, and its own little punch.
Yes, there are Christmas-themed stories (it is the season, after all), but it’s not just tinsel and terror. You also get genuinely spooky tales, bizarre little gems, and some moments that are downright funny — I am still thinking about ‘Roomba’. Despite being short, every story felt properly fleshed out. Nothing felt rushed, pointless, or like filler to pad the page count.
If you’re already planning ahead for next holiday season (as one should), put this on your list. It’s the perfect pick for festive reading with a dark twist.
December 27, 2025
This was a really fun and creepy way to count down to Christmas. It’s just not in the cozy, Hallmark sense.
This is an advent style horror collection with 25 short stories, meant to be read one a day, and I loved that each story was completely different. Some leaned into holiday vibes, others had nothing to do with Christmas at all, which actually worked for me. It kept things fresh and unpredictable, like opening a gift you’re not totally sure you should’ve unwrapped.
Because the stories are so short, some hit harder than others, but overall I appreciated the variety. The different tones, different types of horror, and lots of unsettling moments packed into small doses. It’s perfect if you want quick scares without committing to a full novel.
This is an advent style horror collection with 25 short stories, meant to be read one a day, and I loved that each story was completely different. Some leaned into holiday vibes, others had nothing to do with Christmas at all, which actually worked for me. It kept things fresh and unpredictable, like opening a gift you’re not totally sure you should’ve unwrapped.
Because the stories are so short, some hit harder than others, but overall I appreciated the variety. The different tones, different types of horror, and lots of unsettling moments packed into small doses. It’s perfect if you want quick scares without committing to a full novel.
December 25, 2025
Many of the stories in this collection, while good, had nothing to do with Christmas or the holiday season. Throwing in a couple of casual mentions of Christmas often felt like an afterthought in an attempt to make the story fit the theme of the collection. There were multiple stories that had zero mention at all. I feel like having them in a collection that wasn’t supposed to be Christmas themed would have been better, as I enjoyed most of them. There was a variety of sub genres and some that were genuinely creepy. I would still recommend this if you’re a fan of short stories, but not if you expect a Christmas collection.
December 25, 2025
December 1st: 5/5
December 2nd: 2/5
December 3rd: 3/5
December 4th: 2.5/5
December 5th: 3.5/5
December 6th: 5/5
December 7th: 3/5
December 8th: 2.5/5
December 9th: 4.5/5
December 10th: 5/5
December 11th: 3.5/5
December 12th: 4.5/5
December 13th: 3/5
December 14th: 2.5/5
December 15th: 3.5/5
December 16th: 3.5/5
December 17th: 4/5
December 18th: 4.5/5
December 19th: 2.5/5
December 20th: 2/5
December 21st: 2/5
December 22nd: 4/5
December 23rd: 3.5/5
December 24th: 3.5/5
December 25th: 4/5
December 2nd: 2/5
December 3rd: 3/5
December 4th: 2.5/5
December 5th: 3.5/5
December 6th: 5/5
December 7th: 3/5
December 8th: 2.5/5
December 9th: 4.5/5
December 10th: 5/5
December 11th: 3.5/5
December 12th: 4.5/5
December 13th: 3/5
December 14th: 2.5/5
December 15th: 3.5/5
December 16th: 3.5/5
December 17th: 4/5
December 18th: 4.5/5
December 19th: 2.5/5
December 20th: 2/5
December 21st: 2/5
December 22nd: 4/5
December 23rd: 3.5/5
December 24th: 3.5/5
December 25th: 4/5
December 26, 2025
25 Gifts of Terror by Boris Bacic is written to be read a story a day starting December 1. Well, you don't have to but that's what my buddy-read group did.
As with any short-story collection, I really loved a few stories, I really didn't like a few, and the rest were in between. There were at least two that I would love to see made into novels.
I had to remind myself a few times these aren't Christmas stories - they're gifts of terror. Not all of them are Christmas themed, and once I reminded myself they're gifts I enjoyed the stories more.
🧟♀️🧟♀️🧟♀️.5 from me.
As with any short-story collection, I really loved a few stories, I really didn't like a few, and the rest were in between. There were at least two that I would love to see made into novels.
I had to remind myself a few times these aren't Christmas stories - they're gifts of terror. Not all of them are Christmas themed, and once I reminded myself they're gifts I enjoyed the stories more.
🧟♀️🧟♀️🧟♀️.5 from me.
December 27, 2025
Typical short story collection; there’s a few good stand outs and a few duds but most are a just ok. The description of the book made it sound like all the stories were going to take place in the Santa-land park from the first story but sadly that is not the case. I was hoping to read 25 stories about things happening in the theme park leading up to some big showdown on Christmas but it was just a bunch of random unrelated Xmas/winter themed stories. 🙁My fault for not reading the fine print I suppose. 🎅🏼☃️🎄🔪🩸
December 12, 2025
2.5
okokok
so at first no I didnt realize it was an advent type of thing. it has potential to be SOOOOO much better tho :(
some stories were really good and could've been dragged out longer. in my opinion. majority of the stories didn't keep my attention which made it very hard for me to make it to the next, and often it was a few in a row that didnt keep my attention. but the good stories 😍 id read a whole book about those ones
okokok
so at first no I didnt realize it was an advent type of thing. it has potential to be SOOOOO much better tho :(
some stories were really good and could've been dragged out longer. in my opinion. majority of the stories didn't keep my attention which made it very hard for me to make it to the next, and often it was a few in a row that didnt keep my attention. but the good stories 😍 id read a whole book about those ones
December 20, 2025
An amazing collection of short stories, some truly horrifying. Thankfully, not all of the stories were about Christmas. Some were simply set during December or had nothing festive about them. The first story was by far the best - I'll think of it every time I'm at an amusement park. Other standouts were days 2 3 5 9 11 and 20. I started reading this one a day like an advent calendar but by the end I had to read them all immediately.
December 25, 2025
brilliant!
I read this book as advised at the beginning.
But it wasn’t easy to put down after only one story! Reading them on the same date as number of the story!! (Such a clever and novel idea mind!) I just wanted to carry on reading them!!
Loved this, every story was so good. I really do recommend this book to any and all Christmas and horror lovers!!! You will not be disappointed!!
I read this book as advised at the beginning.
But it wasn’t easy to put down after only one story! Reading them on the same date as number of the story!! (Such a clever and novel idea mind!) I just wanted to carry on reading them!!
Loved this, every story was so good. I really do recommend this book to any and all Christmas and horror lovers!!! You will not be disappointed!!
December 6, 2025
CREATIVE PLOTS. Worth the read. Short chapters.
I was hesitant at first but glad I read this book. I like how the stories are very different, the plots are CREATIVE. Not scary but rather interesting .... psychological thriller, suspense, or just intriguing. Some of the characters in the stories have odd jobs or unique careers which makes it more interesting to read.
I was hesitant at first but glad I read this book. I like how the stories are very different, the plots are CREATIVE. Not scary but rather interesting .... psychological thriller, suspense, or just intriguing. Some of the characters in the stories have odd jobs or unique careers which makes it more interesting to read.
December 20, 2025
Short Story Advent Book
This is my first read by this author and loved this book. It is an advent style, collection of short stories. Clearly, it was very good as I have finished it before Christmas. I enjoy short stories, especially when they’re very well-written. Each story had so much suspense and anticipation. I hope you enjoy it too!
This is my first read by this author and loved this book. It is an advent style, collection of short stories. Clearly, it was very good as I have finished it before Christmas. I enjoy short stories, especially when they’re very well-written. Each story had so much suspense and anticipation. I hope you enjoy it too!
December 22, 2025
Horribly fun
I so rarely enjoy collections of stories, but this one was so entertaining and just about every story held my interest! I would absolutely read more from this author. I did my best to read one story per day like you're supposed to, but some of them were so good I just needed to get to the next.
I so rarely enjoy collections of stories, but this one was so entertaining and just about every story held my interest! I would absolutely read more from this author. I did my best to read one story per day like you're supposed to, but some of them were so good I just needed to get to the next.
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