Christmas spirit

Christmas spirits are magical beings from the planet Festivity in the New Year star system.

They are magical, sapient tree-like beings that appear on their planet at a special time of year. For exactly 25 days, they have the power to grant precisely one wish per day to the one who needs it most.

Biology and appearance

Resembling small, decorative trees, Christmas spirits have bright, glowing stars on their heads, which give them their ability to grant wishes, and small, oval eyes. Their bodies come in many colours, decorated with lights and ornaments, and they wear tinsel around their necks, which they use as hands. Christmas spirits thrive in the cold, where their sprouts are rarely seen beneath the snow.

Only one Christmas spirit sprout appears each year, and during that special season, it blooms into a fully fledged Christmas spirit. Once grown, they set about to searching for those in need, who need a little helping hand over the festive season. They befriend and bond with these people for 25 days, but when their time is up, the they fade away, leaving behind only a dim, lifeless star.

Society and culture

Christmas spirits come in many colours, including blue, green, red, white, and gold. The villagers of Festivity welcome the sprout with gifts and decorations to put on its leaves, and they also give it a name, hoping to be blessed with luck and joy. The sprout stays in the village, becoming part of the community. Once grown, Christmas spirits are loving, kind, and full of passion. They are deeply empathetic and will do anything to help those in need. They adore snow, love to play, and always try to bring everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas spirits live for giving. It is their purpose. Though born in the forest, they live among the villagers, not with other spirits, since only one can appear at a time.

The life of a Christmas spirit

Like most living beings, Christmas spirits have a life that begins and ends. Each one starts as a sprout, which appears unexpectedly wherever it is needed most, and becomes sentient on its very first day of life.

Days 1–4 – baby: From day one, the Christmas spirit can grant its very first wish. Tiny and fragile, it begins in the forest, and its powers are limited to small, simple wishes.

Days 5–11 – child: By now, its magic has developed, though it is still modest. At this stage, the spirit should have found a community to stay with, being fully decorated and welcomed as a beloved family member.

Days 12–16 – adolescent: This is the Christmas spirit’s prime. It can now handle larger wishes and more complex desires. It fully embraces its magical potential.

Days 17–22 – adult: Now fully mature, the adult Christmas spirit continues to grant wishes with ease. It is at the height of its power and wisdom, the very best it will ever be.

Days 23–25 – senior: The Christmas spirit grows old and weak, its leaves beginning to fall. Its magic fades, and the wishes it grants are softer and gentler. When the 25^th day ends, the community will gather to say their final goodbyes as the creature fades away, leaving behind only a dim, lifeless star as its last gift.

Strengths

Christmas spirits have the powerful ability to grant the wisher anything they desire, within certain broad guidelines. They are gentle creatures, welcomed by the villagers of Festivity with open arms. Seen as the embodiment of joy, happiness, and good fortune, the Christmas spirits are cherished and carefully protected by the community.

Weaknesses

Sadly, their weaknesses often outweigh their strengths. They are frail and unable to defend themselves, and when young, they can be easily influenced. A Christmas spirit can grant only one wish per day, giving them a total of just 25 wishes in their lifetime. Christmas spirits cannot grant wishes of love, bring back the dead, or cause harm.