Christmas Creatures and Where to Find Them

To a young reporter, the holiday season is a stressful time–more so if you’re like me, a professional holiday-beast hunter. There’s more out there than just Santa, y’know? Witches, devils, and all sorts of things roam the streets, and I’ve decided to make it my job to research their strange habits around the world. However, sometimes I feel it's really them researching me. From my upcoming book, Holiday Beasts and Where to Find Them (coming out on January 32nd), here are some excerpts about these strange–yet charming!--creatures. 

MARI  LYWD

Location: Wales

Found Between: Christmas Day and Twelfth Night

In the darkest months of the Welsh year, a white horse appears...the mysterious, menacing Mari Lwyd. The Mari Lwyd takes the form of a Christmas zombie horse with lights or baubles for eyes, a mane made of colorful streamers, and a white cloak that falls from her skull. Mari’s skull is attached to a pole, which is held by a person inside and they control the character's mischievous nature, often snapping their bony jaw at you. In Wales between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night, Mari goes door to door with a group, singing a song asking for entry inside. Those who live there sing back, often denying them entry before eventually letting them come in. This ritual is known as ‘pwnco’, and is an improvised battle of rhyme and verse. The singers are given food and Mari Lwyd and her gang move on to the next house after some mischief.

KRAMPUS, the Christmas Devil 

Location: Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Hungary

Found During: December 5th-Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)

There lurks a darker side to the festive season, and I finally discovered why under the cover of night. At a half-lit bus stop in Munich,  I caught a glimpse of a fearsome figure with cloven hooves, dark fur, and ominous horns scurrying between an alleyway. When boarding the bus, I saw him quietly snatch a slumbering child from an open apartment window... Awakened with fright, the child only had time to meekly yelp before Krampus swiftly swatted him with a stiff bundle of birch sticks. Throwing the whimpering child in his worn, woven basket, Krampus crept down and moved on to the next naughty victim. As I peered out the hazy window, the half-goat glared in my direction with a gaze potent enough to send me to the darkest depths of the underworld.

La Befana

Location: Italy

Found on: January 5, 1985

I was traveling through Italy on my way to France when I saw La Befana. It was late at night, and she seemed to be in a hurry. From my research, I have found that her story began as a maid who showed kindness towards the Three Wise Men, so she was invited to join their search for baby Jesus. After turning down the offer, she changed her mind, and she is now trying to catch up to the group and join the quest. Contrary to the rumors I heard that she was a witch, what I saw was an old woman adorned in ancient clothing. Even as she delivered treats to nice children on her way to find the baby Jesus, she still found the time to hit me over the head with her broom. 

The Yule Family

Location: Iceland

Found During: December 12-25

When I had been trying to catch one of the thirteen Yule brothers in the act of putting a present in my shoe that I put on the windowsill, I found myself in an unfortunate situation. Even though I am not a child (nor do I think I should be considered naughty), I found myself face-to-face with Gryla, a child-eating troll that also mothered the Yule brothers. After just barely escaping her, her cat—the Yule cat—appeared due to my lack of new clothes. Thankfully, I was able to trick the feline by using a scrap of fabric its troll owner left behind as my “new piece of clothing.” I’ve decided against providing a drawing due to how absolutely horrific this night was. A reminder to self: bring a new pair of pants next time. 

By Lille Passarini, Staff Writer; and Nicole Guiterrez, Party Editor