Just when you thought being on Santa’s naughty list was bad, we’ve uncovered a list of mythical holiday figures that will leave you begging for coal!
Check out some of Europe's time-honored traditions and hope that Santa will forgive any 'indiscretions' this year.
Pére Fouettard—"The Whipping Father"—is a vile, chain-bound fella that travels around with St. Nicholas at Christmas. While his counterpart bestows gifts, Fouettard punishes the naughty children by cracking them with a whip. He sometimes wears a wicker backpack that he shoves the really bad kids into. Ouch.
Krampus is a demonic, beast-like creature with horns and cloven hooves. He roams the Alpine region during the holiday season looking for naughty kids. When he finds them, Krampus shoves ‘em in a sack and carries them off to his lair. What about the really bad kids? They’re drowned or eaten. And you thought the Grinch was a dirty bastard.
During the holidays, people of the Basque region wait for Olentzero, a descendant from a mythological race of giants said to have lived in the Pyrenees. He comes to town on Christmas Eve to drop off presents for well-behaved girls and boys. But watch out if you're not in bed… he’ll cut your throat with a sickle. Talk about a hard-core disciplinarian.
Belsnickle is a mean-spirited and ragged looking guy covered in tattered clothing and fur. He roams from house to house just before Christmas, asking a few riddles and beating misbehaving children with a stick. Think of him as a cross between Ebenezer Scrooge and a train yard hobo on a five-day bender.
Said to be the offspring of mountain-dwelling trolls, the Yule Lads trek from the hills with their man-eating cat to play pranks, scare children and harass sheep. The gang includes Gattapefur the Doorway Sniffer and Bjungnakaekir the Sausage Swiper, among others. They’re sort of like the seven dwarves of Christmas, but with less singing and more sheep harassing. And a cat that eats people.
Whether you've been naughty or nice, or perhaps even a little bit of both this year, here's
wishing you and yours a terror-free Holiday season from all of us at TRIAD | Next Level.
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