Revisiting A Very Supernatural Christmas 14 years later

Krampus. The Anti-Claus. Whatever you want to call him, “A Very Supernatural Christmas” was finally the episode for Supernatural to go all out with a Krampus monster. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that. But that doesn’t mean the Christmas special wasn’t excellent! It remains one of my favorite episodes of the series to this day, even 14 years after it originally aired (and now I feel old).

Not only was this the only real Christmas episode throughout the show’s 15-season run, but it also included several important moments that would come back later in the show. For instance, did you remember that in this episode, we find out Dean got his amulet (revealed through flashback)? This episode also introduces Colin Ford as young Sam. Most fans agree that Ford was considered an excellent casting choice for the younger Winchester.

At this point in the season, the Winchesters also believed that Dean was dying soon and that this would be his last Christmas. Realizing that is what makes Sam come around to the idea of celebrating the holiday, and they exchange gas station goodies like skin mags, candy, and fuel for Baby.

Supernatural should have given us a terrifying Krampus monster

I will say that I’m disappointed Supernatural didn’t go all-in on a Krampus episode. The first half of the story makes you think that’s the direction the show is going in as Sam actually does research on the “evil Santa” mythology and various cultural depictions. But by the end of the episode, the real monster-of-the-week is Pagan gods who look like your stereotypical wholesome grandparents that bake pies and pinch your cheeks.

I think Krampus could have been a tulpa or even something left unexplained as the show has done on occasion in the past. I wonder if the writers opted not to do Krampus because they thought it would be too obvious.

And before anyone argues with me, yes I believe in the Supernatural world, these Pagan gods were this universe’s version of Krampus, complete with the gross bloody Santa costume but I admit I wanted a full-on monster.

Regardless, I still love this episode and even after more than a decade, it still holds up as an excellent horror-Christmas episode! One thing I always look for in Christmas episodes is whether it’s a genuine holiday episode or if it’s just a plot the writers twisted to make fit the holiday and this special definitely falls in the former category.

Plus it has a lot of great humorous moments like Sam inadvertently sounding like a creep when he tells the lady monitoring the Santa where kids are taking turns on his lap that they’re just “here to watch,” or the boys busting down the door of the trailer park Santa later while he’s watching Christmas-themed porn and having to pretend to be carolers.

If you haven’t watched “A Very Supernatural Christmas” in a while, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a little Christmas in July special!

You can stream Supernatural right now on Netflix.