Why Victorians Told Ghost Stories at Christmas

Ghost stories were once a natural part of Christmas entertainment, combining long dark evenings, fireside storytelling and the older winter tradition of supernatural tales.

Charles Dickens did not invent the Christmas ghost story, although A Christmas Carol is its most famous survivor. Winter gatherings were ideal for tales told aloud, and Victorian magazines regularly published seasonal supernatural fiction.

Bring it back gently

After the noisy part of Christmas Eve, turn the room lights down and read one old story aloud. It works remarkably well.

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