Knecht Ruprecht

Knecht Ruprecht

A companion of Santa who appears on Christmas Eve - He has a long beard, wears fur, or is covered in pea straw.
Ruprecht is another word for the devil
Much like other Christmas traditions in Germany, he is a dark figure that plays against Santa's light.
Knecht Ruprecht sometimes carries a long staff and a bag of ashes and wears little bells on his clothes.
sometimes he rides on a white horse, and sometimes he is accompanied by fairies, or men with blackened faces, dressed as old women
According to tradition, Knecht Ruprecht asks children whether they can pray, if they can, the receive apples, nuts and gingerbread. If they cannot, he beats the children with his bag of ashes!


Researched and written by Allen Tiller
First published 2012 ©

La Befana

La Befana

Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve.
In popular folklore, Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of or dark candy if they are bad.
Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves.
The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Belfana, an Italian tradition.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Yulemen - Icelandic Santa's

Yulemen - Icelandic Santa's

Figures from Icelandic folklore who in modern times have become the Icelandic version of Santa Claus.
Their number has varied throughout the ages, but currently there are considered to be thirteen.
Each individual Yuleman of the 13 range from mere pranksters to homicidal monsters who eat children!

Here is a "toned down" version of the current 13:

SHEEP-COT CLOD: Sneaks into the sheep cot (pen) and harasses the sheep.
GULLY GAWK: Tries to milk cows because he loves heavy froth on milk.

SHORTY: Hovers in the kitchen, waiting for the chance to snatch a roast.
LADLE LICKER: So thin he resembles the utensil he loves to lick.
POT SCRAPER: Snatches dirty pots and pans and scrapes the burned-on food by hand.

BOWL LICKER: Like the puppy of the house, he’s adept at licking bowls clean.

DOOR SLAMMER: Out of sight, late at night, doors go bang in the night.
SKYR GOBBER: Skyr is the Icelandic term for yogurt, which he has a penchant for.

SAUSAGE SNATCHER: Skilled at clambering into rafters, where the sausages are hung to smoke.

WINDOW PEEPER: A very ugly guy, who can be a fright to see peering through windows.

DOOR SNIFFER: Leave the door to the kitchen ajar and he’ll stick his big nose into it, looking for food to steal.

MEAT HOOK: Down your chimney comes his long pole with a hook on the end, aimed at snatching meat that may be hanging from your rafters.

CANDLE BEGGER: Steals Christmas candles when no one is looking.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Norway’s Christmas Brooms

Norway’s Christmas Brooms

On Christmas Eve, after the family’s big dinner, it is time to open presents. Then all the brooms in the house are hidden. The Norwegians, long ago, believed that witches and naughty spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal their brooms for riding.
Spruce logs are burnt in the fireplace to keep the witches away
The hot sparks rising up the chimney will keep the witches from coming down and into the house.
Lights are left on all night to keep evil spirits away. A single bright light sits in the window to welcome any Christmas Travellers...

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Christmas Stockings

Christmas Stockings

Where did the hanging of Christmas stockings above the fireplace at Christmas begin?

It would seem its origins stem from St Nicholas who was born in Greece, also known as “Nikolaos the Wonderworker” or “Nikolaos of Myra”.
Legend has it that a poor Fathers daughters remained unmarried due to him not having enough money to pay a dowry as he was very poor. St Nicholas heard of the poor Father's plight and sorrow and took it upon himself to help the poor Father.
That night, St Nicholas entered the poor Fathers home and filled the daughter's stockings, which were drying above the fireplace, with gold coins so the Father could pay the dowry.
St. Nicholas, being a shy and secretive man, did what he did with no need for gratitude as he was a humble servant of God undertaking deeds that lifted his fellow man.

Random acts of kindness can go far, it can be as a simple as offering someone an ear to listen, a cup of tea, or a simple smile. Christmas this year is hard for many, please donate your unwanted goods to charity, or a little money, and help spread some Christmas cheer to someone a little less fortunate as you, just like Saint Nicholas did in his day.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

El Festival de los Rabanos

El Festival de los Rabanos

Radish figures line the central plaza of Oaxaca Mexico on December 23rd and 24th. Nativity scenes, conquistadors, dancers, historical and mythological events are sculpted from radishes by Mexican artisans and add to the colour of holiday celebrations.
El Festival de los Rabanos (The Festival of Radishes) is a one-of-a-kind festival that features dance, food and delicately craved radishes...

A colourful Mexican Christmas tradition!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

The Ghost of Christmas Present:

The Ghost of Christmas Present:

The spirit transports Scrooge around the city, showing him scenes of Christmas festivity, but also deprivation. As they watch the spirit sprinkles a little Christmas warmth from his torch.
They travel to various places, one being to the home of Scrooges nephew, another to the home of Scrooges clerk Bob Cratchit.

The spirit shares a vision with Ebenezer of Tiny Tim Cratchit's crutch, carefully placed near the families fireplace. Scrooges as the spirit if Tim will die. The Ghost states “ If these shadows remain unaltered by the future, the child will die!”

Later the spirit reveals to Scrooge two emaciated children from underneath his robes. The two children are loathsome to behold. The spirit names the boy “Ignorance and the girl child “Want”.
The spirit warns Scrooge “Beware them both and all of the degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is doom unless the writing be erased”

The Ghost of Christmas present reveals to Scrooge that he only exists for one day a year and that he has 1842 brothers that have come before him.
The clock strikes midnight and the spirit disappears.....Scrooge watches intently as "The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come" approaches “like a mist across the ground”...



Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

Krampus

Krampus

The Krampus comes out of Austria and Hungary, he is said to accompany Santa on Christmas Eve, warning and punishing the bad children of the world - a direct contrast to Santa, who gives presents.

The word Krampus comes from a German word for "Claws". He is usually represented as an Incubus type demon with large horns and a large tongue

He is often depicted with a basket on his back which he uses to carry the unruly young children off to hell!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come

The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come

"The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and misery.
It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand...It thrilled him with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky shroud there were ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his own to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great heap of black"

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens - 1843

El Caganer - Catalonia Christmas Tradition

El Caganer

In the principality of Catalonia Spain, it has become customary to decorate the traditional nativity scene with an extra something, or rather someone.

This extra character is known as El Caganer, also known as "The Pooper".
While traditionally the ceramic figure has been that of a Shepard, contemporary figures range in all different personalities, including, Hello Kitty, American Presidents, Star Wars Characters, Religious Icons such as the Pope and movie actors and characters, the list is endless, there is also a service to have "Poopers" custom made of family members....

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

The Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle is a green, blown glass ornament shaped like a pickle. It is hidden among Christmas Tree decorations on Christmas Eve. Traditionally, the first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning receives an extra present and the first adult to find the pickle is granted good fortune for the year.

The Christmas Pickle is a German Christmas tradition.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 2012 ©

The Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Mr Scrooges encounter with the Ghost Of Christmas Past took him back to his boarding school days where he was alone for Christmas whilst his schoolmates went home for the holiday.

Next, he was shown the day when his younger sister picked him up from the school after asking for his return. He was shown his time as an apprentice to Mr Fizzwigg.
The spirit also showed Scrooge the day when, as a young man, his Fiancée Belle chose to end their relationship as his increasing obsession with money caused him to alienate her.
Scrooge never asked Belle to break off their engagement, but he did not protest against her decision.
Finally, the Ghost showed him how she married and found true happiness with another man.
After the vision, Scrooge, out of anger, extinguished the Ghost of Christmas Past with his cap and found himself back in his bedroom

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published December 2012 ©

Kallikantzaroi - Christmas Trolls

Kallikantzaroi

These mythical, goblins like spirits are said to pop up between Christ's birthday and Epiphany on Jan. 6th. Between these days they devote their time to wreaking their unique brand of havoc.

The Kallikantzaroi cause mischief, they intimidate people, urinate in flower beds, spoil food, tip things over and break furniture!

The Kallikantzaroi are of Greek origin.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published December 2012 ©

Ukrainian Christmas Spiderweb Tradition

Ukrainian Christmas Spiderweb Tradition

There once was a widow, who lived in a small hut. One day a pinecone dropped on the floor and it took root. Her children were excited that they would have a tree for Christmas.

All summer long they made plans on how they would decorate the tree. They were very poor, so poor that they did not have anything to decorate the tree with.

The widow went to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the tree would not be decorated.

Early on Christmas morning, the woman was awakened by her children,

"Mother, Mother! wake up! and see the tree it is beautiful!"

The Mother arose and saw that during the night a spider had spun a web around the tree.

The youngest child opened the window to the first light of Christmas Day. 

As the shafts of the Sun crept along the floor, it touched one of the threads of the spider web and instantly the web was changed into Gold & Silver.

...And from that day forward the Widow never wanted for anything...

This is why the Ukrainians place spider-web ornaments on their Christmas Trees!

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published December 2012 ©

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard – Father Whipper

Pere Fouettard is a French Anti-Santa that arrives on St Nicholas Day to punish naughty children by whipping them. Le Père Fouettard is depicted in red and black clothing, perhaps a throwback to his anti-Roman roots.

The whipping Father has his roots in the 16th-century medieval siege in the city of Metz, a war between the Holy Roman Empire and Henry II of France. The war lasted for 8 years, and during holiday seasons, effigies of the Roman Emperor were made and dragged through the street. Local tanners would whip the effigy as it passed, thus creating Father Whipper in the imaginations of generations to come.

Japanese Kentucky Fried Christmas: クリスマスはケンタッキー

Japanese Kentucky Fried Christmas
クリスマスはケンタッキー

Christmas isn't far away now, with that in mind, over the next few days we will be presenting some Christmas themed stories, facts, Ghosts & Ghouls...

The Japanese Tradition of eating KFC at Christmas dates back to the early 1970s when an expat customer of the chains Aoyama store observed that, in a land bereft of Yuletide Turkey, fried chicken was the next best thing.
The franchise released its advertising campaign "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!" (Kentucky for Christmas) in 1974 and a tradition was born!

Less than 10% of the Japanese population is Christian, making the power of advertising and marketing in Japan extraordinary in the fact that so much of the population begins ordering its chickens in the weeks before Christmas day.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller

First published 15 December 2012 ©

Formication – Feelings of Cobwebs on the Skin

Formication – Feelings of Cobwebs on the Skin

Some people report the sensation of feeling as though they have just walked through a cobweb, only to find no cobweb present.

 This is a common sensation felt by many ghost hunters in the paranormal community. The explanation expressed from experienced ghost hunters is that the sensation is caused by an ion change in the atmosphere, but there is no empirical data to verify this claim.

However, psychology explains the phenomenon as Formication (sometimes known as Paraesthesia), which is sometimes called a tactile hallucination. It is most commonly known as a feeling of bugs walking on or under the skin. In more recent times it has been reported as the sensation of one’s mobile phone vibrating in a pocket against the skin when no phone is present. [1]

Formication is also a common side-effect of amphetamine usage with many heavy users reporting instances of it. Sometimes referred to as “meth-mites”, formication can lead to sores, gouges in the skin and ulcers. The wounds come from the drug user picking, scratching or digging at their skin trying to remove the imaginary insects they feel walking across their body.[2]

Formication can sometimes be experienced in other ways, such as skin itching, pins and needles, tingling sensations.  It is also claimed that sometimes the cause can be static electricity, but in most cases of Formication, there are no physical triggers for the sensation.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2018

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[1] Tim Jewell & Timothy Leg PhD, (2017), Formication, Healthline Red, https://www.healthline.com/health/formication

[2] Jerome Litt M.D, (2009) Formication: So What’s Bugging You?,  Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/odd-curious-and-rare/200911/formication