The Dark Side of Christmas – Interview with author Sarah Clegg

From Grimm Reading by Grimm Reading

December 14, 2025 · 1h 1m · Season 8 · Episode 6

About this episode

The episode features an interview with author Sarah Clegg discussing the darker aspects of Christmas and its history.

Has Christmas always been wholesome? What did Halloween steal from Christmas? And what happens when you bump into a Krampus? Join us for a special interview episode, where we talk to Sarah Clegg, author of "The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas". We discuss her run-ins with Christmas monsters, learn about the surprisingly unruly history of Christmas celebrations, and hear why Jacob Grimm may have a lot to answer for... From wassailing to ghostly walks, this is Christmas in a whole new light. ... Linktree Patreon Merch Store Instagram Twitter/X Facebook grimmreadingpodcast@gmail.com Theme music: Bicycle Waltz by Goodbye Kumiko Other Music: Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

People in this episode

Host: Grimm Reading

Guest: Sarah Clegg

Topics covered

Christmas history
monsters
interview
cultural traditions
Halloween influence

Keywords

Christmas
Krampus
ghosts
monsters
traditions
Halloween
Jacob Grimm

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas