Belsnickel is a Christmas figure from the Palatinate region of southwestern Germany whose tradition was brought to Pennsylvania by German […]
The Christmas Spider is a folk legend from Ukraine, Poland, and Germany that explains the origin of tinsel on Christmas
Père Fouettard, Father Whipper, is the dark companion of Saint Nicholas in the French Christmas tradition, particularly in northeastern France,
Hans Trapp is the Christmas threatening figure of the Alsace and Lorraine regions of northeastern France, the area that sits
The Tomte is the household and farm spirit of Scandinavian tradition, a small supernatural being who has inhabited the farmstead
The twelve days of Christmas, the period between the 25th of December and Epiphany on the 6th of January, are
Black Peter, Zwarte Piet in Dutch, is the companion of Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas, and the most controversial figure
La Befana is the old woman of Italian Christmas tradition who flies on a broomstick on the night of the
Frau Holle is one of the most important figures in Germanic folk tradition, a supernatural woman who governs winter, spinning,
Grýla is the oldest and most terrifying figure in Icelandic Christmas tradition, a giantess of monstrous physical description who descends
