Wintertide – December 23rd

Legends and lore play an intricate part in our modern Christmas. Over the centuries, cultural observances weaved into winter themes and added that special dash of interest to our Yuletide celebrations.

Krampus

Alpine folklore throughout Europe. A horned figure and creator of the Advent season’s ‘scared straight’ program for the naughty. Assisting Old St. Nick, the Krampus rewards bad children with a switch of his birch stick, while good kids get a top pick from Santa’s swag. 

Mari Lwyd

A Welsh wassailing custom of a mounted horse skull decorated with ribbons and a flowing white shawl carried to local houses. A hidden Mari Lwyd carrier requests entry with a song. The householders refuse, but eventually relent. The merry carrier enters to a welcomed food and drink. The un-housebroken Mari Lwyd soon misbehaves, bucking and snapping at children and hosts, embarrassing the carrier and entertaining all. Mari Lwyds are unpredictable when boozy.

Knee-Hugger Elves

Invasive little North Pole narks placed vicariously throughout the homes of curious children during the 1950-1960s. Santa’s town criers, they’d innocently sit, eyes wide and ears pricked to hear tiny sounds of naughtiness to report. Parents often wielded this reputation to keep misbehaving to a minimum at holiday time. Knee-huggers were in plain sight, under the rouse of mantle decorations or Christmas tree ornaments. Some still remain in cobweb attics and boxes of discarded memories. Decades later, they can be seen peaking from room corners in the dead of winter nights, taking notice, writing their lists, and checking them twice.

photo credit: pixabay Simon Fischer

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