7 Spooky Christmas Stories To Chill Your Bones

Christmas is a time for joy, giving, and celebration, but it's also a time for spooky stories that send chills down your spine. While many people associate Christmas with sugarplums and candy canes, there's a darker side to the holiday season that's just as fascinating. From ghostly apparitions to supernatural creatures, these 7 spooky Christmas stories are sure to leave you sleeping with the lights on.

1. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens' classic novella, A Christmas Carol, is a staple of Christmas literature, but it's also a masterclass in building tension and suspense. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who's visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, on Christmas Eve. Marley's ghost is doomed to wander the earth wearing heavy chains, and he warns Scrooge that he'll be visited by three spirits that night.

As the night wears on, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Each spirit reveals to Scrooge the error of his ways and the consequences of his actions, forcing him to confront his own mortality and the true meaning of Christmas.

The Haunting of Scrooge

Dickens' use of ghostly apparitions and supernatural elements adds a layer of spookiness to the story, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy a good scare. The novella's themes of redemption and personal growth are timeless, but it's the ghostly visits that make A Christmas Carol a classic spooky Christmas tale.

2. The Chimes by Charles Dickens

Another Dickens classic, The Chimes is a lesser-known but equally chilling tale of Christmas terror. The story follows Trotty Veck, a poor man who's struggling to make ends meet during the holiday season. As Trotty walks through the streets on New Year's Eve, he hears the chimes of a nearby church and is suddenly transported to a world where the spirits of the past, present, and future are waiting for him.

A Haunting on New Year's Eve

The Chimes is a haunting tale of social commentary, exploring themes of poverty, inequality, and the struggles of the working class. Dickens' use of supernatural elements adds a layer of spookiness to the story, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy a good ghost story.

3. The Ash-Tree by M.R. James

M.R. James is a master of the ghost story, and The Ash-Tree is one of his most chilling tales. The story follows Sir Richard Fell, a man who's struggling to uncover the truth behind a mysterious ash tree that's standing in the middle of his family's estate.

A Family Curse

As Sir Richard delves deeper into the tree's history, he discovers that it's connected to a centuries-old family curse. The tree seems to be exerting a malevolent influence over the family, causing them to experience strange and terrifying occurrences.

4. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

The Turn of the Screw is a classic gothic novella that's set during the Christmas season. The story follows a young governess who's hired to care for two children at a remote estate. As the governess begins to suspect that the estate is haunted by malevolent spirits, she becomes increasingly unhinged.

A Descent into Madness

James' use of ambiguity and uncertainty makes The Turn of the Screw a masterclass in building tension and suspense. The story's themes of isolation, madness, and the supernatural make it a perfect read for those who enjoy a good ghost story.

5. The Kit Bag by Algernon Blackwood

Algernon Blackwood is a master of the supernatural tale, and The Kit Bag is one of his most chilling stories. The tale follows a man who's struggling to come to terms with a mysterious kit bag that's been left in his hotel room.

A Mysterious Bag

As the man tries to uncover the bag's secrets, he begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences. The bag seems to be exerting a malevolent influence over him, causing him to question his own sanity.

6. The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs

The Monkey's Paw is a classic tale of horror that's set during the Christmas season. The story follows a family who's struggling to come to terms with a mysterious mummified monkey's paw that's been brought back from India.

A Family Tragedy

As the family begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences, they realize that the paw is exerting a malevolent influence over them. The story's themes of greed, temptation, and the supernatural make it a perfect read for those who enjoy a good horror tale.

7. The Yule Log by Mark Twain

Mark Twain's The Yule Log is a lesser-known but equally chilling tale of Christmas terror. The story follows a man who's struggling to come to terms with a mysterious yule log that's been brought into his home.

A Haunting on Christmas Eve

As the man tries to uncover the log's secrets, he begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences. The log seems to be exerting a malevolent influence over him, causing him to question his own sanity.

These 7 spooky Christmas stories are sure to chill your bones and make you think twice about the true meaning of the holiday season. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories, supernatural tales, or horror fiction, there's something on this list for everyone. So grab a cup of hot cocoa, settle in by the fire, and get ready for a Christmas you'll never forget.