Christopher Philippo's Blog: Christmas Ghost Stories and Horror - Posts Tagged "covid-19"
talking turkey — with a Thanksgiving Ghost Story
November 3rd may seem too early to mention the
Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories Volume Four
. That said, 2020's been an odd year; I have neighbors who've already celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas due to where family members will be later in the year and uncertainties about travel advisories. For that matter, variables like supply chain issues and slowed postal service might make thinking about Christmas gifts and ordering them early advisable rather than waiting until December.
As the book's editor it's of necessity been on my mind all year. For my own part, I actually am disappointed that things like Sirius and Music Choice's "Sounds Of The Seasons" skip from Halloween to Christmas. Why not play things today like "Election Songs of the United States" and "Presidential Campaign Songs, 1789-1996"?
That jump across November has been happening for decades, though. A 1947 article remarked, "The ghosts of Santa Claus hovered so near the Halloween spirits that poor Thanksgiving was utterly neglected by all except the Doctor Miles calendars. Pre-Halloween decorations were on aisles next to Christmas ornaments in several of the five and ten cent stores, without so much as turkey feather hanging up to remind shoppers of Thanksgiving" (Springfield Leader and Press [MO]. November 26, 1947.)
In discussing the tradition of Christmas ghost stories, it warrants mentioning that newspapers used to have ghost stories year-round; poems, short stories, and serialized novels were a much more common feature than now. Thus, there certainly were ghost stories published on Thanksgiving Day periodically, and it's reasonable to suppose they would even appear on Election Day and Remembrance Day. However, they lacked the frequency or degree of intent of Christmas ghost stories or the later generation of Halloween entries. As with Christmas ghost stories, the Thanksgiving ones that in some way actually tie into the holiday seem more worthy of the label.
Worth thinking about, a 2019 blog post on the Smithsonian Magazine's website, "Do American Indians celebrate Thanksgiving?" Some people do celebrate it, some don't, some recognize it instead as a National Day of Mourning. Having at least some misgivings about the day is nothing new. In the below short story from 1912, published the year New Mexico became a state, an uncredited author takes on the spirits of the holidays and their observance.
Days We Celebrate
THE ghost of Thanksgiving Day and the ghost of Christmas met and shook hands in that debatable land where spirits wander at large. The Thanksgiving ghost was plethoric with turkey and of a comfortable rotundity. The Christmas ghost was built like a huge dollar sign, and had the sanctimonious air of one who has been spent in a good cause.
The ghost of Thanksgiving smiled broadly. “It’s to be a good season,” he said.
“Fine,” agreed Christmas.
“Thousands of turkeys will lay down their lives at my shrine,” said Thanksgiving complacently.
“Thousands of dollars at mine,” said Christmas proudly.
“Preachers proclaim my goodness, and all the world gives thanks,” said Thanksgiving, as he strutted about in a most superior way.
“Fortunately, thanks are not a competitive commodity, and they can be given in any quantity without disturbing my trade,” said Christmas maliciously.
That started the row.
“The president of the United States issues a proclamation announcing my arrival,” said Christmas.
“I gorge myself to prove the world’s prosperity,” said Thanksgiving.
“The money is but accumulated to be spent on me,” retorted Christmas.
“Big football games are played in my honor,” said Thanksgiving.
“The world is decked with holly and mistletoe for me and I divide honors with none,” said Christmas.
“I am a national holiday,” said Thanksgiving.
“I am celebrated the world over,” said Christmas.
“The most famous dance in the world, ‘the turkey trot,’ is named for me,” said Thanksgiving.
“I wouldn’t tell it if I were you,” said Christmas.
“You are a hypocrite,” said Thanksgiving.
“You are a braggart,” said Christmas.
Just then the ghost of the Fourth of July, badly singed and smelling of gunpowder, drew near.
“You had best stop quarreling and watch your cues. Bringing it right down to a fine point, neither of you are the most important national holiday. I am," said the Fourth of July.
“The impertinent thing,” said Thanksgiving and Christmas in one breath.
“He is saying things derogatory to our dignity,” said Christmas.
“We will not deign to answer him,” said Thanksgiving.
Albuquerque Journal [NM]. November 24, 1912: II 1 cols 6-7
As the book's editor it's of necessity been on my mind all year. For my own part, I actually am disappointed that things like Sirius and Music Choice's "Sounds Of The Seasons" skip from Halloween to Christmas. Why not play things today like "Election Songs of the United States" and "Presidential Campaign Songs, 1789-1996"?
That jump across November has been happening for decades, though. A 1947 article remarked, "The ghosts of Santa Claus hovered so near the Halloween spirits that poor Thanksgiving was utterly neglected by all except the Doctor Miles calendars. Pre-Halloween decorations were on aisles next to Christmas ornaments in several of the five and ten cent stores, without so much as turkey feather hanging up to remind shoppers of Thanksgiving" (Springfield Leader and Press [MO]. November 26, 1947.)
In discussing the tradition of Christmas ghost stories, it warrants mentioning that newspapers used to have ghost stories year-round; poems, short stories, and serialized novels were a much more common feature than now. Thus, there certainly were ghost stories published on Thanksgiving Day periodically, and it's reasonable to suppose they would even appear on Election Day and Remembrance Day. However, they lacked the frequency or degree of intent of Christmas ghost stories or the later generation of Halloween entries. As with Christmas ghost stories, the Thanksgiving ones that in some way actually tie into the holiday seem more worthy of the label.
Worth thinking about, a 2019 blog post on the Smithsonian Magazine's website, "Do American Indians celebrate Thanksgiving?" Some people do celebrate it, some don't, some recognize it instead as a National Day of Mourning. Having at least some misgivings about the day is nothing new. In the below short story from 1912, published the year New Mexico became a state, an uncredited author takes on the spirits of the holidays and their observance.
Days We Celebrate
THE ghost of Thanksgiving Day and the ghost of Christmas met and shook hands in that debatable land where spirits wander at large. The Thanksgiving ghost was plethoric with turkey and of a comfortable rotundity. The Christmas ghost was built like a huge dollar sign, and had the sanctimonious air of one who has been spent in a good cause.
The ghost of Thanksgiving smiled broadly. “It’s to be a good season,” he said.
“Fine,” agreed Christmas.
“Thousands of turkeys will lay down their lives at my shrine,” said Thanksgiving complacently.
“Thousands of dollars at mine,” said Christmas proudly.
“Preachers proclaim my goodness, and all the world gives thanks,” said Thanksgiving, as he strutted about in a most superior way.
“Fortunately, thanks are not a competitive commodity, and they can be given in any quantity without disturbing my trade,” said Christmas maliciously.
That started the row.
“The president of the United States issues a proclamation announcing my arrival,” said Christmas.
“I gorge myself to prove the world’s prosperity,” said Thanksgiving.
“The money is but accumulated to be spent on me,” retorted Christmas.
“Big football games are played in my honor,” said Thanksgiving.
“The world is decked with holly and mistletoe for me and I divide honors with none,” said Christmas.
“I am a national holiday,” said Thanksgiving.
“I am celebrated the world over,” said Christmas.
“The most famous dance in the world, ‘the turkey trot,’ is named for me,” said Thanksgiving.
“I wouldn’t tell it if I were you,” said Christmas.
“You are a hypocrite,” said Thanksgiving.
“You are a braggart,” said Christmas.
Just then the ghost of the Fourth of July, badly singed and smelling of gunpowder, drew near.
“You had best stop quarreling and watch your cues. Bringing it right down to a fine point, neither of you are the most important national holiday. I am," said the Fourth of July.
“The impertinent thing,” said Thanksgiving and Christmas in one breath.
“He is saying things derogatory to our dignity,” said Christmas.
“We will not deign to answer him,” said Thanksgiving.
Albuquerque Journal [NM]. November 24, 1912: II 1 cols 6-7
Christmas Ghost Stories and Horror
I was fortunate enough to edit Valancourt Books' 4th & 5th volumes of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories. Things found while compiling are shared here. (Including some Thanksgiving Ghost items.)
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