english christmas ghost stories

Well, 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad' by M. R. James is another. A professor on a Christmas - time holiday by the sea discovers an old whistle in a graveyard. When he blows it, he is haunted by a strange apparition. The story plays on the fear of the unknown and the power of the supernatural. The cold, desolate seaside setting during the Christmas period adds to the overall sense of unease and spookiness.

A great one for kids is 'The Littlest Christmas Tree' which has a bit of a ghostly element. It's about a small, overlooked Christmas tree that has a special encounter with a friendly spirit. It's not too scary and has a positive message about Christmas. Another is 'The Ghost of Christmas Present' from 'A Christmas Carol'. It's a well - known and not overly terrifying ghost that can introduce children to the idea of ghosts in a Christmas context.

The theme of family and community is also present. In many stories, the ghosts' visits affect not just the individual but also those around them. For example, when Scrooge changes in 'A Christmas Carol', it has a positive impact on the Cratchit family. Additionally, there is often a sense of mystery and the past coming back to haunt. Old secrets or wrongdoings are revealed through the appearance of ghosts during Christmas, which is a time when families come together and memories are shared.

One famous traditional English Christmas ghost story is 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. It features Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man. He is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows him his own past, including his lonely childhood and how he became so greedy. The Ghost of Christmas Present reveals the current joys and miseries of people around him, like the Cratchit family. And the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows him a possible future of death and being forgotten if he doesn't change. Through these encounters, Scrooge transforms into a kind and generous man.

One classic is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's a very eerie story about a governess who believes the children she's taking care of are being haunted by the ghosts of their former servants. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. A family comes into possession of a magical monkey's paw that can grant wishes, but with terrifying consequences. And 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which features the iconic vampire Count Dracula who is often associated with the undead and ghost - like qualities.

It's very significant. It's a classic that shows the power of redemption. The main character, Scrooge, is transformed from a miserly and cold - hearted man. The ghosts in the story play a crucial role in making him realize his wrong ways and the importance of kindness, charity and the spirit of Christmas.

Many English Christmas stories are set in a wintery, festive atmosphere. They tend to feature traditional Christmas elements such as Christmas trees, presents, and carols. Characters in these stories often learn important lessons about kindness, forgiveness, and the spirit of Christmas. For instance, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the young couple's selfless love and sacrifice highlight the true meaning of Christmas more than any material gift could. These stories also have a sense of warmth and coziness that makes them perfect for the Christmas season.

One characteristic is the use of spooky settings like old mansions, graveyards, or abandoned places. For example, in 'The Woman in Black', the old Eel Marsh House adds to the overall sense of dread. Another is the presence of mysterious or unexplained phenomena. In 'The Turn of the Screw', the strange behavior of the children is left somewhat ambiguous. Also, they often play on human fears such as the fear of the unknown, death, and the afterlife.

The 'Ghost Story for Christmas' series has some great tales. For example, 'The Signal - man' is quite spooky. It tells the story of a signal - man who is haunted by a spectre that seems to be a warning of impending doom. The atmosphere of the railway setting and the sense of dread make it a memorable Christmas - themed ghost story.

Well, 'A Christmas Carol' is a very well - known one. The three ghosts that visit Scrooge really bring out the essence of a Christmas ghost story. They show him his past mistakes, the current state of things he ignores, and the future that awaits if he doesn't change. Then there's 'The Ghostly Guest' which is about a family who has an unexpected visitor during Christmas. This visitor seems normal at first but then strange things start to happen, and they realize it might be a ghost. And 'The Christmas Haunting' is a story where a young girl starts seeing the ghost of an old woman in her new house on Christmas Eve, and as the story unfolds, she discovers the connection between the ghost and the house's history.