MERRY & SCARY!
Oh, what exquisite delight the darkest time of year can bring! Even as twinkling lights shimmer in defiance of the abyss, and the haunting strains of Mariah Scary echo relentlessly from every corner, there lies a shadowy undercurrent beneath the merriment—a whisper, perhaps, from forgotten tales of yore. Do you sense it? The Yuletide brims with delightful frights—Victorian ghost stories by firelight to Saint Nicholas’s monstrous minions who judge the wicked. Beware–and be good, for goodness’ sake... or risk the consequences of what lurks in the shadows.
Christmastime FOlklore and traditions from around the world
Victorian Ghost stories
The tradition of Victorian ghost stories became a hallmark of 19th-century Christmas celebrations, blending the eerie with the festive. Rooted in older winter solstice customs of storytelling, Victorians gathered around the fire during the long, dark nights of December to share chilling tales of the supernatural. This practice gained popularity through authors like Charles Dickens, whose novella A Christmas Carol is a quintessential blend of ghostly elements and holiday themes. The stories often explored moral lessons, human fears, and the mysteries of the afterlife, offering a thrilling counterbalance to the season's warmth and cheer. The tradition reflects the Victorian fascination with the macabre and the era's deep connection to both spiritualism and festive revelry.
La Befana
La Befana is a beloved figure in Italian folklore, celebrated on Epiphany (January 6th). She is depicted as a kind, old woman resembling a witch who delivers gifts to well-behaved children and coal to those who misbehave. Her legend ties to the Magi's journey; she was invited to join them in visiting baby Jesus but declined. Regretting her decision, she now searches for the Christ Child, leaving gifts for children along the way.
La Befana’s traditions include filling stockings on Epiphany Eve, symbolizing generosity and renewal. Rooted in both Christian and pagan customs, she remains a cherished part of Italian cultural heritage.
BELSNICKEL
The Belsnickel is a quirky and stern figure from German and Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas folklore. Dressed in ragged clothes or animal furs, often carrying a switch for punishment and a sack of treats, he visits children ahead of Christmas to judge their behavior. Unlike the jolly Santa Claus, Belsnickel blends both reward and discipline, handing out sweets to the well-behaved and warning or lightly tapping those who have misbehaved. His visit serves as a reminder to be good in the days leading up to Christmas, embodying a mix of festive cheer and moral accountability.
CHRISTMAS SPIDER
The Ukrainian Christmas spider is a cherished part of holiday folklore, symbolizing good fortune and the magic of the season. According to legend, a poor family had no decorations for their Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, spiders spun intricate webs over the tree, which transformed into shimmering strands of gold and silver by morning. This tale is said to inspire the tradition of tinsel and spider ornaments on Christmas trees in Ukraine, serving as a reminder of generosity, hope, and unexpected blessings during the festive season.
Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta is a mysterious and dual-natured figure from Alpine folklore, known for her role during the Twelve Days of Christmas. Often depicted as a crone in tattered robes or a radiant woman, she rewards the diligent and punishes the lazy. Legend says she visits homes to inspect spinning and household chores, leaving silver coins for the hardworking but exacting gruesome punishments on those who neglect their duties. Her tales, a mix of benevolence and terror, likely stem from pre-Christian traditions, blending ancient myths with moral lessons tied to the festive season.
The Kallikantzaroi
The Kallikantzaroi are mischievous goblins from Greek folklore, said to emerge during the Twelve Days of Christmas, from December 25th to January 6th. These small, impish creatures dwell underground for most of the year, sawing at the World Tree in an attempt to bring chaos. During Christmas, they come to the surface to wreak havoc, playing pranks, stealing food, and causing minor trouble for humans. Folklore suggests lighting fires or leaving protective charms to ward them off. When Epiphany arrives, they are banished back underground, resuming their futile task of sawing the tree until the next holiday season.
Krampus
Krampus is a figure from Central European folklore, known as the dark counterpart to Saint Nicholas. Traditionally depicted as a half-goat, half-demon creature with horns, fangs, and a long, lolling tongue, Krampus punishes naughty children during the Christmas season. While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus is said to carry a bundle of birch branches to whip misbehaving ones and, in some tales, even takes them away in a sack. The legend of Krampus is celebrated in Austria, Germany, and other Alpine regions, often through festivals like Krampusnacht, where people dress as the fearsome figure to parade through the streets. The tradition blends Christian and pagan elements, embodying the duality of reward and punishment during the holiday season.
Mari Lwyd
The Mari Lwyd is a haunting and enchanting tradition from Welsh folklore, celebrated around Christmastime and New Year. It features a horse's skull mounted on a pole, adorned with ribbons and a white sheet, carried by a person hidden beneath. Accompanied by a group of singers, the Mari Lwyd visits homes, engaging in a playful battle of rhyming verses with the residents. If the Mari wins, it is invited inside for food and drink. Thought to bring good luck for the coming year, this eerie yet festive custom blends ancient pagan rituals with Christmas cheer, embodying the spirit of community and celebration.
La Quema del Diablo
La Quema del Diablo, or "The Burning of the Devil," is a vibrant Guatemalan tradition celebrated on December 7th, marking the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Families and communities light bonfires and burn effigies of the devil to symbolically cleanse their homes and spirits of evil, preparing for the holy days of Christmas. The event, rooted in both Catholic and pre-Hispanic traditions, transforms neighborhoods into lively gatherings with music, fireworks, and a shared sense of renewal and purification.
The YULE CAT
Jólakötturinn, or the Yule Cat, is a fearsome creature from Icelandic folklore that prowls during the Christmas season. Unlike other holiday tales, this giant feline is not known for spreading cheer; instead, it punishes the lazy. According to legend, those who fail to finish their work or don't receive new clothes for Christmas risk being devoured by the Yule Cat. The story, rooted in Icelandic traditions, serves as a reminder to work hard and value generosity, with the Yule Cat acting as a deterrent against idleness during the festive season.
THE YULE LADS
The Yule Lads are mischievous and humorous figures from Icelandic Christmas folklore, said to visit homes during the 13 days leading up to Christmas. These 13 troll-like brothers, each with a unique personality and peculiar habit, range from Spoon-Licker and Sausage-Swiper to Window-Peeper and Door-Slammer. Children leave shoes on their windowsills, hoping for gifts from the Yule Lads if they’ve been good—or finding a potato if they’ve been naughty. Rooted in Icelandic storytelling, the Yule Lads have evolved from fearsome pranksters to playful, endearing figures, adding a quirky charm to the holiday season.
Zwarte Piet
Zwarte Piet, or Black Peter, is a controversial figure in Dutch and Belgian Christmas traditions. Traditionally portrayed as Saint Nicholas' helper, Zwarte Piet assists in distributing gifts and sweets to children during Sinterklaas celebrations in early December. Historically depicted with blackface makeup, colorful attire, and exaggerated features, Zwarte Piet has sparked significant debate over its racial implications in recent years. While some argue for preserving the character as part of cultural heritage, others advocate for more inclusive representations, leading to adaptations such as soot marks to represent chimney soot. The tradition continues to evolve amidst broader conversations about diversity and cultural sensitivity.
Cozy Up with these CHILLING books
Explore the darker side of the season with these books on winter folklore: Al Ridenour delves into the Krampus legend, Jeff Belanger traces the holiday’s evolution and its key figures, and Tim Rayborn offers a chilling encyclopedia of holiday monsters with striking illustrations. And there's so much more that's perfect for fans of dark Christmas lore!
Have a SCARY Movie CHRISTMAS
Many holiday horror films fall into the same predictable formula: a serial killer dressed as Santa. Yawn. The selections below, however, offer far more intriguing takes on the genre, ranging from magical coming-of-age stories to bleak paranormal tragedies. While they may not suit everyone’s taste, who ever said the holidays had to be merry and bright? Interestingly, most of these films serve as cautionary tales—a hallmark of what horror does best.
