By: Ariel Brittain
Many families all over the world have their own special holiday tradition, whether it’s setting up Christmas trees, lighting Hanukkah menorahs or, yes, even celebrating an evil Santa. Here are some of the most bizarre holiday traditions.
Austrian folklore tells of Santa’s not-so-jolly sidekick, Krampus. While Santa is out giving the good children presents, Krampus is on the lookout for any particular child on the “bad list.” If you thought coal was bad, imagine being eaten by the devilish Krampus.
In Ukraine, people decorate their trees not with glitter and ribbon, but with fake spider webs. An old folktale tells a story of a poor family who grew their Christmas tree out of a pine cone. Since they had little money, they could not afford anything to decorate the tree with so it remained bare. However, when the family woke the next morning, spiders had spun webs around the tree. As the sun went up that morning, the threads all turned to gold and silver. Ukrainians use spiderweb tree decorations today as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year.
In Italy, instead of old Saint Nick, children await La Befana the Witch. Traveling into town by broomstick, she climbs down the chimney and gives candy and gifts to the good children. This holiday is celebrated on the Eve of Epiphany (January 5th), and instead of milk and cookies, La Befana is left wine and traditional Italian food to enjoy before she makes her next round.
Whether or not you believe these traditions, their presence makes the holiday season even more cheerful, and maybe even a little unusual.
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