In the United States, Christmas has often revolved around gift-giving from Santa Claus for being kind, or receiving a coal lump for misbehavior. While the cheerful St. Nicholas is a beloved figure, the holiday season has had a darker aspect in European traditions.

In ancient pagan and pre-Christian cultures, stories emerged about mythical creatures that appeared during the long winter nights around the solstice to punish those who misbehaved.

Here are seven chilling tales of figures that have struck fear into European hearts long before America was established.

Belsnickel

Origin: Palatinate region, southwestern Germany

Belsnickel is a menacing German character who checks on children to keep them in line, contrasting St. Nicholas’s kindness. The name Belsnickel combines “belz,” an archaic German word for fur, and “nickel,” relating to St. Nicholas. Dressed in furs and wearing a mask, he visits children alone and quizzes them before deciding if they receive gifts or punishment with a wooden rod.

This figure likely originated in the Middle Ages and gained popularity in Pennsylvania, mainly due to German immigrants known as the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Krampus

Origin: Eastern Alpine Europe, especially Germany and Austria

The name Krampus comes from the German word “krampen,” which means “claw.” This half-goat, half-demon creature is said to punish naughty children on December 5, known as Krampusnacht, by whipping them, eating them, or dragging them to hell. Meanwhile, St. Nicholas rewards well-behaved children the next day during the Feast of St. Nicholas.

Celebrations involving Krampus date back to pre-Christian times in the sixth century. Nowadays, towns across Europe hold Krampuslauf events, where men don Krampus costumes and run through the streets causing mischief. Holiday cards featuring Krampus, known as Krampuskarten, are also popular.

The Yule Lads, their parents, and their cat

Origin: Iceland

In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, the Yule Lads—13 cheeky boys with unique names—create mischief. They live in a cave with their parents and their cat. Their father, Leppaluoi, is lazy and prefers to stay in the cave, while their mother, Gryla, is a giantess who goes after naughty children to add them to her stew.

The family cat, Jolakotturinn, known as the Yule Cat, is a gigantic black feline that prowls the countryside, hunting down those who do not wear new clothes.

The Yule Lads were first mentioned in a poem from the 17th century. In 1746, Iceland’s government prohibited parents from frightening their children with tales about them. Today, they are seen in a more playful light and are believed to come down from the mountains to join in celebrations.

Frau Perchta

Origin: Alpine Austria and Germany

Frau Perchta, also known as Berchta, is a goddess from early Alpine pagan traditions. She is related to Berchtentag, or the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated twelve days after Christmas on January 6.

Her name translates to “the bright one,” and she can appear as either a radiant young woman or a terrifying old witch with a long nose, one large foot, ragged clothes, and a knife hidden under her skirt.

Frau Perchta is known for punishing those who fail to honor the 12 days of Christmas. If someone spun yarn or feasted improperly during this time, she was said to visit while they slept, to slit their belly, remove their insides, and fill the void with straw and pebbles.

Nisse

Origin: Norway

A Nisse, or tomte in Sweden, resembles a gnome: a tiny, bearded man wearing a conical red hat. In the 1200s, a Swedish man discovered a 6-inch wooden statue of one in a fisherman’s home in Norway, labeled “Nisse, Riktig Storrelse,” or “Nisse, correct size.” They tend to hang around farms and lend a hand with chores. In return, they expect a bowl of porridge topped with butter. Failure to provide this will result in trouble for the household.

A story titled “When the Nisse Got No Butter on His Christmas Porridge” recounts how a girl put butter at the bottom of a nisse’s porridge. Upset, he killed the best cow on the farm, only to later replace it with the neighbor’s cow after discovering the butter at the bottom.

Hans Trapp

Origin: Alsace-Lorraine region of France

Hans Trapp, known as the Christmas Scarecrow, is based on the true tale of a knight named Hans von Trotha. He lived during the 1400s and had disputes with the Catholic Church over land, leading to his excommunication after he demolished a dam that flooded a village.

The tale of Hans Trapp tells of a man who was overly greedy and was banished after making a deal with the devil for riches. In his exile, he disguised himself as a scarecrow and kidnapped children to eat. Ultimately, he was struck down by a lightning bolt, leading to his death; however, he is believed to return in his scarecrow form each Christmas, seeking out misbehaving children for his meals.

The Kallikantzaroi

Origin: Greece and southeastern Europe

The kallikantzaroi are a group of sightless black goblins that dwell underground for most of the year, gnawing at the world tree, which symbolizes the connection between the heavens and the Earth in various folk tales. They emerge during the twelve days of Christmas to create chaos and try to turn children born during that period into more kallikantzaroi.

To safeguard your child, wrap them in straw and garlic. For home protection, keep a fire going and place a colander outside your door. The kallikantzaroi will get sidetracked trying to count the holes and will lose track at three, as it’s a sacred number.

This story was first published in December 2022.