For years, I have hosted #31DaysofHorror Bingo online. In October, players watch one horror movie a day and match one category on the board for each movie. Things like: decapitation, something behind you, summer camp, and so on. The goal is a blackout, but ultimately, there are no real rules, and it’s all for fun.
This year, at the request of the Midnight Monster Club, I adapted the game for the holiday season, replacing any horror movie with holiday or winter horror movies and coming up with festive categories.
The holiday version was MUCH HARDER than the original. When I came up with the categories, I was not sure I could capture them all with 25 different movies.
I did, however, end up pulling it off:
- punishment: The Lodge
- hypothermia: The Shining
- ho ho ho: P2
- axe: American Psycho
- dysfunctional family: Silent Night
- murder toys: Christmas Bloody Christmas
- broken ornaments: The Christmas Tapes
- bloody snow: Christmas Evil
- hero santa: Slay Belles
- isolation: The Sacrifice Game
- frozen weapon: There’s Something in the Barn
- shopping: Frankenstein (2025)
- electrocution: Gremlins
- gingerbread men: Krampus
- light strangulation: Silent Night Deadly Night (2025)
- candy cane stab: Violent Night
- snowman: Snow Falls
- blizzard: Black Phone 2
- ugly sweater: Anna and the Apocalypse
- caroling: Black Christmas (1974)
- scary present: Child’s Play
- bad reindeer: White Reindeer
- evil elves: Rare Exports
- evil santa: Terrifier 3
- new to you: Advent Calendar
Midnight Monster Club definitely made this happen. I may not have found them all without their watching and discussing. I appreciate them testing this pilot with me.
I also learned there are WAY MORE holiday horror movies than I ever realized and that the majority are just awful.
As far as new to me this year, I really enjoyed:
- Advent Calendar: I LOVED this movie. It had been on my list for years, and I can’t believe it took me this long to watch it (subtitles are hard while multitasking). It is creepy and clever and wonderfully psychological.
- Silent Night Deadly Night (2025): I enjoy the original movie and watch it pretty regularly each December. I was worried that the remake was an entirely new approach. However, I think I like the new one even more than the original. It is fresh and fun.
- Snow Falls: Like Cabin Fever but in a snowstorm. Another psychological one that I enjoyed. I love a movie that opens the door for interpretation.
Going into 2026 ready for more horror movies and fun collaborative games.
Christina Bergling
https://linktr.ee/chrstnabergling
Like my writing? Check out my books!
- Red Walls – When Talia’s parents go after the monsters who hurt her, they never expected real monsters.
- Followers – You never know who is on the other side of the screen. Followers is a mystery and thriller that blends women’s fiction with horror.
- The Rest Will Come – Online dating would drive anyone to murder, especially Emma.
- Savages – Two survivors search the ruins for the last strain of humanity. Until the discovery of a baby changes everything.
- The Waning – Locked in a cage, Beatrix must survive to escape or be broken completely.
- Screechers – Mutant monsters and humans collide in the apocalyptic fallout of a burned world. Co-authored with Kevin J. Kennedy.
- Horror Anthologies
Fiery Pen 