Reading ghost stories during the Christmas season is an old British tradition. But I think reading scary stories is just as valid. “Nackles” by Donald Westlake tells of a nasty counterpart to Santa Claus and “The Naughty Ones” by Lake Lopez also deals with things that are neither holly nor jolly. If you want more, …
Tag: Christmadness
Dec 05 2017
Christma(dnes)s VIII
The photograph illustrating this article is the work of Jessie Tarbox Beals, who also created the image used in last year’s installment of “Christma(dnes)s.” It was fascinating to read up on her career in photography. I had no idea she was the very first woman to be hired as a staff photographer by an American …
Dec 24 2016
Christma(dnes)s VII
It may have taken me longer than usual to assemble this year’s selection of frightfully festive fun, but I think the sheer volume of material I dug up was worth it. After all, why should I just focus on the Phantasm ornament or the “Krampus in the Corner” when there’s so much more out there? …
Dec 02 2015
Christma(dnes)s VI
Ho Ho Horror! I’m making like the above creepy Santa and have plenty of treats for you. The first of which is a stencil for making a type of elf known as a “Brownie.” Although it was originally intended for use on Halloween, you can also use it for Christmas without anyone complaining. Speaking of …
Dec 08 2014
Yet More Christma(dnes)s
Season’s Bleedings! Like Santa Claus, I’m reaching into my bag of goodies to find the best horrorday treats for you all. And you don’t even have to leave me any cookies! Fans of H.P. Lovecraft should remember his wonderful Christmas poem “Christmastide,” which was surprisingly free of cosmic horrors and racism. What they might not …
Dec 22 2013
Still More Christma(dnes)s
To borrow a phrase from Veronique Chevalier, Ghoultide Greetings and Hapless Horrordaze! I hope you enjoy the above image; it’s a painting called “In the Wild North” by Ivan Shishkin. I think it perfectly captures the duality of the season. If you look at it one way, it’s a beautiful winter’s night. But if you …
Dec 24 2012
Even More Christma(dnes)s
Here’s a rare holiday treat, the pressbook for the original version of Black Christmas. Even if you aren’t a fan of the film, you’re sure to love the promotional gimmicks. Fans of our yearly Free RPG Day posts are sure to love this fan-made, Christmas-themed Dungeons and Dragons adventure. If you need a quick and …
Dec 14 2011
More Christma(dnes)s
In the spirit of last year’s “Christma(dnes)s,” I thought I would share another collection of both weird and wonderful Christmas-related links: The Abominable N. Oremac got me into the Christmas spirit by sending me a link to an article about a Christmas tree in Japan that’s shaped like Godzilla and sprays smoke from “its” mouth. …
Dec 24 2010
Christma(dnes)s
Well, it’s that time of year again. Last-minute shopping and schedule-rearranging, coupled with the weather and other surprises are at their maximum this week and the resulting stress is killer. So, as a warped tribute to the madness so prevalent before the big day, here’s a collection of weird ‘n wild Christmas-related horror goodies that …