Applause goes to the 170 writers who submitted Christmas short stories this year particularly, Joseph Galea and Alexander Stewart -- age 12 -- winners of the adult and under 18 category respectively.

Following the clever trail of creative words were the runner-ups, 11-year-olds Peter Davis and Risa Hunter.

The exceptional promise category was at the discretion of the judges and was awarded to Anita Bushara and Robyn Dickinson, 14.

The Royal Gazette honoured these talented writers and the 12 honourable mentions with a well-attended reception and prize giving ceremony hosted by the Editor, Bill Zuill, Wednesday afternoon in the Royal Gazette lobby.

Cash prizes were presented in each of the two categories -- adult and under 18s. The winner in each section received $300 and the runner-up won $200.

Two special awards of $100 went to the authors of stories showing exceptional promise, regardless of category and the 12 honourable mentions received certificates.

Stories concentrated on the theme of Christmas and Bermuda and could be up to 2,000 words. Poems and essays were not accepted.

A panel of four Royal Gazette judges -- Mairi Mallon, Cathy Stovell, Beverley Causey-Smith and Henry Adderley -- selected the best stories of the 23 by adults and 147 by the under 18s.

The judges were amazed at the vast number of stories written by children under 18 and the standard was exceedingly high, so high that 11 were awarded honourable mentions.

Miss Mallon said: "I loved judging this competition! The quality in the children's section was outstanding. Their imaginations were awesome.

"Talking Christmas trees, vain angel fish, skinks, tree frogs and hungry wolves eating reindeer were just part of the fun.

"Many of the children's entries, both in style and content, beat the adults hands down. Years of education seems to stifle and even kill the imagination of grown ups.

"There was also the problem of following instructions and some entries were eliminated because they were either not Bermudian enough or not Christmassy.'' All winning stories will be published in the "Christmas Greetings Supplement'' printed in the Royal Gazette on December 24. It will include as many of the honourable mentions as possible.

Joseph Galea's winning story, called "Presents from the Past'', starts with a walk on Elbow Beach and ends with an unusual twist.

Child writer Alexandra Stewart tells a tale, called "Sir George and the Lighthouse'', which focuses on the ghost of Sir George Somers and a Humbug.

While enjoying the holidays, along with breakfast or after a turkey luncheon, curl up in your favourite reading spot and enjoy the wonderful Christmas stories.

The fascinating stories written by the under 18s make for enjoyable Christmas reading and you could have a young person read aloud to you.

Christmas winners: Recipients of awards in The Royal Gazette's Christmas short story contest collected their prizes at the Par-la-Ville Road office this week. Pictured, from left are, Editor Bill Zuill, with winners Alexander Stewart, Robyn Dickinson of exceptional promise category, Joseph Galea, runner-up Risa Hunter and Anita Bushara of exceptional promise category.

Missing is runner-up Peter Davis.