Christmas, a season of joy and festivity, is celebrated with various traditions worldwide. However, not all traditions are about merry-making and joyous carols. Some Christmas customs are downright bizarre and spine-chilling, offering a different flavor to the holiday season.
Let’s embark on a global tour to uncover some of the most unusual and creepy Christmas traditions.
The Elf on the Shelf (United States)
A seemingly innocent tradition, The Elf on the Shelf, involves a scout elf sent by Santa to monitor children’s behavior. Each night, the elf moves to a different spot in the house, creating an eerie feeling of constant surveillance. While playful, some find the concept of a watchful elf unsettling.
Mari Lwyd (Wales)
In Wales, the Mari Lwyd tradition involves a horse’s skull mounted on a pole and carried door-to-door. The skull, adorned with ribbons and bells, is part of a ritual where occupants and the Mari Lwyd engage in a battle of wits through rhyme. This peculiar and somewhat macabre custom adds a ghostly touch to Welsh Christmas celebrations.
La Befana (Italy)
Maybe Santa Claus is a warm and kind old man with a big smile, a rich beard and adorable reindeers, but not all countries have a friendly-looking figure that welcomes you with love and care to give you Christmas presents. Italy’s Christmas witch, La Befana, is a benevolent figure who delivers gifts to children. However, her appearance – that of an old, broom-riding witch – adds a spooky element to the festivities. The legend says she flies through the night of January 5th, entering homes through chimneys to fill stockings with treats.
Krampuslauf (Central Europe)
Forget Santa’s naughty list; in parts of Central Europe, the demonic Krampus takes center stage. Krampus, a horned figure from folklore, is said to punish misbehaving children during the Christmas season. The Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run, is a parade where people dress as this fearsome creature, roaming the streets and scaring onlookers. It’s a hair-raising tradition that adds a touch of terror to the holiday spirit.
Grýla Festival (Iceland)
In Iceland, the legend of Grýla, a horrifying ogress, reigns supreme. This monstrous figure is said to feast on naughty children, making her way down from the mountains during Christmas. The Grýla Festival celebrates this myth with frightening costumes and stories, ensuring Icelandic children are on their best behavior.
Kalikantzaroi (Balkans)
In Greece and several Balkan countries, the tradition of “Kalikatzaroi” adds a unique, mystical flavor to the holiday season. These mischievous goblins or spirits are believed to emerge during the 12 days of Christmas, causing havoc and playing pranks on people. According to folklore, Kalikatzaroi dwell underground, sawing the World Tree to bring chaos to the earth. However, each Christmas, when they are close to succeeding, they are forced to return underground, finding the World Tree healed and their efforts undone. This cycle repeats annually, intertwining with local customs and festivities. The tradition of Kalikatzaroi, with its blend of humor and superstition, adds a distinctive and intriguing aspect to the holiday folklore in these regions.
In our journey through the world’s most unusual and Creepy Christmas traditions, we’ve seen how different cultures blend the festive with the fearsome, creating a rich global tapestry that celebrates the darker side of the holiday season. So, as we revel in the joy and light of Christmas, let’s not forget the intriguing allure of the shadows, in a trip to the Best Horror Festivals around the globe.
