Smithsonian Associates: Christmas Ghost Stories
Today, the December holidays are all about joyous magic, warm evenings curled by the fire, and celebrations of the triumph of good and light in the world. Traditionally, however, the winter season also ushers in the terrors of the dark and the cold. One of the most fascinating, long-established cultural traditions that blends these very different impulses is the Christmas ghost story.
Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman of the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic trace the history of the winter ghost story, sharing tales and exploring how it became tied to Christmas. They discuss tales from medieval Britain, Christmas carols, and the boom of periodicals in the 19th century and reveal the extent to which Charles Dickens is responsible for the Victorian Christmas ghost story craze. Lest Dickens get all the credit, they also introduce you to other iconic writers of the era. Finally, they explain why this tradition has largely faded and where traces remain.