Xmas ghosts are stirring
LightNews LightNews
toffph.bsky.social
Xmas ghosts are stirring
@toffph.bsky.social
860 followers 460 following 3.4K posts
anthologist of Victorian Christmas ghost stories
local historian and gravestone conservationist
H. C. Dodge & shape poem collector

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20841298.Christopher_Philippo/blog
https://www.findagrave.com/user/profile/477914
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
toffph.bsky.social
Xmas ghosts are stirring @toffph.bsky.social · Feb 1
H. C. Dodge's "Future 'America'" from the NY World, April 1889. Millionaires, bribers, a criminal rogue raised on high.

My country, 'tis of thee.
Land of lost Liberty,
Of thee we sing.
Land which the millionaires,
Who govern our affairs,
Own for themselves and heirs—
Hall to thy king.
#PoemSky
THE FUTURE “AMERICA.” My country, 'tis of thee. Land of lost Liberty, Of thee we sing. Land which the millionaires, Who govern our affairs, Own for themselves and heirs— Hall to thy king. Land once of noble braves, But now of wretched slaves— Alas! too late. We saw sweet Freedom die, From letting bribers high Our unprized suffrage buy. And mourn thy fate. Land where the wealthy few Can make the many do Their royal will. And tax for selfish greed Thy toilers till they bleed. And those not yet weak-kneed Crush down and kill. Land where a rogue is raised On high and loudly praised For worst of crimes. Of which the end must be A hell of cruelty, As proved by history Of ancient times, My country, 'tis of thee. Betrayed by bribery. Of thee we sing. We might have saved thee long. Had we, when proud and strong, Put down the cursed wrong That makes thy king. —H. C. Dodge, in N. Y. World. Yakima Herald [Washington Territory]. April 11, 1889: 1 col 3.
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
ninaantonia13.bsky.social
'Farewell, adieu dear Christmas Ghosts
Back to the shade realm you must go
But do not quail & have no fear
For you return with each passing year
In the meantime, there's the all seasons crew
Everyday phantoms like me & you.'👻
(Art: Benjamin Konig)
December 26, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
brianbilston.bsky.social
These are unsettling times.
Upon Awakening to the Sounds of Distant Rumbles   He awakes from seasonal slumbers to distant rumbles. A storm approaching, perhaps, or the muffled guns from the ghost of a war long since waged upon faded fields.   The dawn chorus wakens the dead and rattles the brain as the back street clatter recedes into murmured memory and the awful truth emerges. Bin day! The revised Christmas holiday collection schedule.   Thoughts fly unbidden to the rooms of recycling, Pennines of packaging, glaciers of glass, corridors of cardboard and cartons, growing, overflowing, silently creeping up the staircase, across the landing, clawing at the bedroom door. The horror! The horror!   He lies there and tries to collect himself. Brian Bilston
December 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
markhharris.bsky.social
Believe it or not, Sinners wasn't the only #blackhorror movie released in 2025! Here are 30 others worthy of your time. #horrorsky www.blackhorrormovies.com/best-black-h...
Best Black Horror Movies of 2025 - Black Horror Movies
Best horror/suspense movies with Black stars released in 2025.
www.blackhorrormovies.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
grindhousefilm.bsky.social
You are about to experience a rare happening
Palmer Rockey's SCARLET WARNING 666
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nEG...
December 29, 2025 at 3:44 AM
toffph.bsky.social
"Don’t submit Christmas ghost stories in June, nor in December; the right time is about August, when the October magazines are going to press."
Joseph, Michael. Short Story Writing for Profit. Boston: Small, Maynard & Co., 1924. 176.
Don’t submit Christmas ghost stories in June, nor in December; the right time is about August, when the October magazines are going to press
December 28, 2025 at 4:01 AM
toffph.bsky.social
Cute little Christmas pamphlet, A Visit From St. Alphabet.

Sometimes the letters represent the words they begin, sometimes words they rhyme with, sometimes it just seems to be about their position in the alphabet, other times I'm not sure!
A Visit From St. Alphabet
16 unnumbered pages : color illustrations. "Composition & rubyliths by A.B. Presswork by A.K. Poliphilus, type on Ragston. 2,000 copies in this second printing."--Title page verso St. Alphabet slides ...
digitalcommons.risd.edu
December 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
toffph.bsky.social
First or second day of Christmas today, depending on the tradition. Continue watching/reading Christmas horror/ghost stories on into the New Year!
Multo (Ghost)
Ghosts of story, myth, or anywhere else....
multoghost.wordpress.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
weirdxmas.bsky.social
The annual flash fiction show went live yesterday! But it's still Christmas season until Epiphany (January 6). So stay in the weird-ass spirit and listen to some funky stories!

weirdchristmas.com/2025/12/25/2...
2025 Weird Christmas Flash Fiction ConThology (old Contest; new Anthology) Show
It is finally here! Or listen at the Podbean site or your favorite podcast app. Twenty-two stories out of over 300 entries this year. And, remember, since it’s just an anthology, we don&#8217…
weirdchristmas.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
katelaity.bsky.social
Need something to read whilst escaping endless conversations today? kalaity.com/2025/12/24/f...
Free Xmas Ghost Stories
Here it is Xmas eve and I have gifts for you: two free ebooks. The first one is the trilogy of ghost stories written in past Xmases for Fox Spirit Books, carrying on the tradition of spooky Victori…
kalaity.com
December 25, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
weirdxmas.bsky.social
This was literally a children's game.
This was literally a children's game.
December 25, 2025 at 11:40 AM
toffph.bsky.social
"A Santa Claus Killed; Professor Saunders, a Deaf Mute, Killed by His Nephew." Christmas real-horror from 1895, disturbingly common sort of story. "6 Shooter" segment in Christmas horror anthology The 12 Slays Of Christmas (2016) does similar, though it may really be Santa Claus. Merkin gun culture.
A SANTA CLAUS KILLED. Professor Saunders, a Deaf Mute, Killed by His Nephew. Jackson, Miss., December 25,-Professor L. W. Saunders, a deaf mute, and for many years a teacher in the state deaf and dumb asylum, was shot and instantly killed tonight' at 7 o'clock by his nephew, C. R. Young. Professor Saunders was to act Santa Claus at the Christmas tree gotten up for the amusement of the deaf and dumb children in the institute, and called by Mr. Young's house in his Santa Claus garb. His knock at the door was heard and Mr. Young, the only occupant, demanded "Who is there?" a time or two, and receiving no reply fired through the door at what he supposed was a burglar. Professor Saunders dropped Inside the hall and died in two minutes. The 44-caliber ball had passed clear through his body. Professor Saunders is a brother of Captain R. L Saunders, world's fair commissioner from this state, and was highly respected, both as a man and teacher of deaf mutes. The affair is the most deplorable in the history of Jackson and Mr. Young is crazed with grief. Atlanta Constitution. Dec 20, 1895: 1 col 4.
December 25, 2025 at 4:36 AM
toffph.bsky.social
"Ghosts on Christmas Eve" Australia, 1908 #ChristmasPoetry Rather more melancholy ghosts than creepy ones!
Ghosts on Christmas Eve. — WRITTEN FOR THE CHRISTMAS Week.) Ghosts of a buried past! Why have you come to-night? Go! visit fairer scenes, Hearts that are free and light; For mine, alas! is sad and sore, For the love and joy that can come no more. Ghost of a buried love! Love of the long ago, Cold is my withered heart, Cold as the drifting snow; That with the willow branches wave, In other climes above its grave. Spirits: who seem to me like Friends I’ve loved and lost; Who now to this dark, dreary earth From spiritland have cross’d, Loved memories; my spirit holds you dear, The one green spot within a desert drear. Ghosts of the future, say To me what shall it bring. Will peace and joy be borne, Or grief; upon its wing! Will shadows gather in the evening light, And deeper grow with shades of coming night! Ghost of a wasted life! Come in the waning light. Haunts with a nameless dread Like voices in the night. Life’s hours like precious pearls I see, Lost, one by one, in eternity! Angels of Christmas Eve: Say is there lasting bliss, For troubled wear souls, In such a world as this? Tell me, then flee away at morn, Sing out the joyful strains A Prince of peace is borne. IRISHWOMAN. Bowen Hills. The Telegraph [Brisbane, Qld]. December 22, 1888:10 col 6
December 25, 2025 at 2:54 AM
toffph.bsky.social
Unknown #ChristmasMusic "Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt" to the tune of some famous tango, whose title I should know. Any idea of the artist here? (Showed up in Tatort: Münster "Väterchen Frost")
Advent, Advent, ein Lichtlein brennt.mp3
drive.google.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
nighttidemag.bsky.social
Couldn't let you wonder all Christmas who'll be sharing their winter tales for the 2nd annual Ghosts of Yuletide with #NightTideMag!
Ghosts of Yuletide is NightTide’s annual winter event amplifying the haunting perspectives of women authors of color through seasonal horror and folklore. 👻📚❄️
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
toffph.bsky.social
PHOTOCRIME Who Killed Santa Claus?
How good a detective are you? Can you solve this unusual Christmas Eve Murder Mystery?
By Henry Johns
Long Island Sunday Press. January 9, 1938: 4.
PHOTOCRIME Who Killed Santa Claus? How good a detective are you? Can you solve this unusual Christmas Eve Murder Mystery? By Henry Johns Ten photos, very contrasty digital scans of microfilm of newspaper, show different scenes, captions describe location and actions of people. https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201938/Jamaica%20NY%20Long%20Island%20Daily%20Press%201938%20-%201330.pdf
December 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
toffph.bsky.social
"Santa effigy hung" in 1975. I wonder how many fanatics have done this sort of thing over the decades, or centuries. I found another in 1980 where it shows a pastor stringing one up in front of children. #ChristmasHorror
The Citizen Auburn N.Y. Monday December 22, 1975 - 12 [Contrasty b&w digital scan of microfilm of newspaper showing Santa claus hanging from perhaps a homemade scaffold, sign reading "King of the Lies Satan Claus Rev. 22: 14+15" captioned "Santa in effigy An inflatable Santa Claus hangs in effigy in front of the residence of Allen Cutcher near Longwood, Fla. Cutcher says that Santa is the Satan of Christmas (AP)" Headline of article, cropped, reads "Santa effigy hung"
December 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
harryskeeler.bsky.social
December 23, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
nighttidemag.bsky.social
Ghosts of Yuletide goes live on December 26, the Sixth Day of Yule, at 6 pm EST on #NightTideMag YouTube!
In folklore, this day marks a quiet turning point, when the darkest stretch of winter begins to soften & stories are shared not just to haunt, but to hold. See you soon, friends!
👻📚❄️
December 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
toffph.bsky.social
#HorrorMoviesForTheHolidays #29 dir. Moira Armstrong: had Ignorance & Want, and depicted rarish passage "The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went." Decent 58m TV adaptation, though finale rushed.
Ignorance and Want, Christmas Present, and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (1977) "The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went. Every one of them wore chains like Marley's Ghost" depicted in A Christmas Carol (1977)
December 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
theghostmonk.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
weirdxmas.bsky.social
Santa’s latest rebrand involved ditching the reindeer for a sustainable, free-range goose-powered chariot. This avant-garde choice sparked a minor theological debate among the elves.
Santa’s latest rebrand involved ditching the reindeer for a sustainable, free-range goose-powered ch
December 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
toffph.bsky.social
A. I. can cyber suck it!
(From Colbert's Cancelled Christmas: The Last Noel www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkEy... )
Colbert's Cancelled Christmas The Last Noel screencap, parchment colored background, holly and ivy border, sleeveless stern santa holding giant candy cane, boot on a T-2 robot head, two elves giving middle fingers; body of T-2 on ground with electricity sparking and on fire Made by humans (and elves). A.I. can cyber suck it! This may be goodbye but it isn't farewell.
December 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
smoothdunk2.bsky.social
me when the AI bubble bursts
3 panel comic Panel 1: A desperate, panicking Blue Guy screams into his phone: Come Quickly! The AI companies are in trouble! Panel 2: A Pink Guy, also on the phone, replies: Oh Shit! I’m on my way! Panel 3: Pink Guy is relaxing in his living room, having a lovely cup of tea. He has no intention of going to help save the AI sinking slop ship.
November 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
lnuonhorror.bsky.social
I'm delighted to announce that I'll be co-editing a special issue of Gothic Studies: Arctic Gothic with Monica Germanà and Sara Wasson.
Check out the CFP here: www.globalgoth.org/blog/arctic-...
Arctic Gothic: A new cfp for a Special Issue of Gothic Studies - Gothic Association
An exciting new issue of Gothic Studies is in the making!
www.globalgoth.org
October 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Xmas ghosts are stirring
librarycongress.bsky.social
We want to share with you this charming piece of holiday ephemera from the Library's Rare Book and Special Collections Division: An 1858 interactive Christmas card featuring a patriotic Santa Claus. 🎄🎅🇺🇸
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM