Editor's Note: Since it's Doctor Who night on the BBCs this evening, here is a collection of free festive tales from across the official websites and other places too.
The First Doctor
"As he strolled through the foggy streets of London’s East End he became aware of the footsteps following him and immediately wondered if it was them. He began walking faster. The footsteps – a soft pad pad pad pad – remained close behind. Now, straining to hear them, the old man caught something else. A low, velvety snarl."
The Sixth Doctor
"The Doctor, Peri and Joe land on the planet Naxios, where they discover the body of Father Christmas. Who killed him? The strange individuals dressed in Shakespearian costume or the talking animals wearing waistcoats digging in the tunnels?"
The Eighth Doctor
"In the small alpine village of Verbier, there is a museum for things that shouldn’t exist."
The Ninth Doctor
"My name is Sally Sparrow."
“Doctor! What’s happening?”
"The engines roared, and time roared back, washing over the hull of the TARDIS in waves of icy blue and burning gold. Reality unfolded for the spinning wooden box, funnelling it through a storm of seconds, then folding back into place as neat as wrapping paper."
The Tenth Doctor
Editor's Note: This was published on the Sunday Times website and is behind a paywall.
"'I haven't been ice-skating since my seven hundred and twenty-first birthday,' muttered the Doctor to himself, as he raced to the other side of the console to pump the vortex loop."
"The boy's name was Tom Wake, and he was nine years old. And perhaps because the year was 1920, or perhaps because he was the sort of boy who liked to believe in things until there was a reason not to, he believed in Father Christmas."
"The first thing the Doctor heard when he woke was the sound of something tapping at a window."
"'What do you think?' Beth Summers turned round and burst out laughing as her grandma brandished a bright red feather boa around her shoulders. 'This used to belong to my mother,' continued Beth's gran as she jiggled her hips, causing her 12-year-old grand-daughter to laugh even more."
"It had been nearly four hours since Mason Valentin managed to convince his mother to let him stay home from school. Every moment since then seemed to tick away with the weight of eternity. He wasn't sick exactly. His fifteen year old heart though was very sick. Love sick, that is. Staring out the bay window, his thoughts wandered to Ana Comparetto, the American girl who'd only just transferred that year."
The Eleventh Doctor
"Something was wrong. David Kershaw looked down the station platform and was left open-mouthed by what he saw. Not just a little bit wrong, but a big fat what on earth is going on? wrong."
"‘Lost satellite reception…’ Geoff Bluth glared at the GPS device on the dashboard of his car. It was late, he had been driving for hours and all he wanted was to find his hotel, have a nice hot shower and collapse into bed. And now it was snowing. Terrific. He pulled over to the side of the road and called the hotel. "
"‘Oi! You lot! Yes, you lot! Now pay attention, that’s it, and look up. Yes up! Right up! Into the sky. That’s it…."
The Twelfth Doctor
"Ceri was reading a magazine in the backstage lounge when the shadow appeared."
"I wake up. And I’m cold. It’s dark and I’m cold."
Spin-Offs
"Deep under the sea, Nessa, Freng and Strong are trying very hard to be nice. Because if they are naughty, then Santa won’t come and give them presents. And they do want presents very much. But what does Santa really want from them? And what does being nice *really* involve..?"
"Lucky you! You're on Mr Colchester's Christmas Card list. He brings tidings of comfort and joy and a terrible warning. Whatever you do, open this card first. Season's Greetings."