Buzz
While children around the world eagerly anticipate Santa’s visit on Christmas Day, other regions share different and often eerie tales about the holiday season. This list features some of the most unsettling Christmas creatures that both you and your kids will hope to never meet.
10. Elf on the Shelf
Although the Elf on the Shelf isn’t exactly a monster, what began as an innocent Christmas tradition is now unsettling many children. The tiny elf is marketed as “Santa’s special scout to help keep track of who’s been naughty or nice.”
Sadly, this little elf doll often comes across more like a creepy clown than a joyful holiday mascot, leaving kids frightened instead of excited for presents. Numerous online stories now detail how people set up cameras to catch these elves in motion—some even flushing toilets! Some children are so terrified by the elf that they refuse to sleep unless their parents move it out of sight.
9. Hans Trapp
The eerie tale of Hans Trapp hails from Germany, with the story being inspired by the real-life figure Hans von Troth, who was rumored to be a satanist and notorious for his wicked ways. His constant feuds with neighbors and sinister behavior led the Catholic Church to exile him to a remote forest.
In the forest, Trapp’s hunger for human flesh grew so intense that he fashioned himself into a scarecrow, killed a young boy, and roasted his body. However, just as he was about to indulge in his gruesome meal, Trapp was struck by a bolt of lightning and perished instantly. Today, it’s said that Trapp has become one of Santa’s helpers, punishing naughty children during Christmas while wearing his scarecrow disguise.
8. Belsnickel
Belsnickel is a grumpy figure draped in fur, the polar opposite of Santa Claus, who makes his rounds to visit children in the days leading up to Christmas. With a bag of treats and nuts in one hand and a wooden switch in the other, he would toss the sweets on the ground and punish the children who dared to grab them.
Children are also instructed to recite Bible verses or poems, with Belsnickel sternly reminding them to be well-behaved before Santa’s arrival. The story of Belsnickel is shared in Germany, France, and Switzerland, where it takes on different variations, such as an animal-like figure wearing a horned mask or a tiny white creature capable of slipping through a keyhole.
7. Kallikantzaroi
The Kallikantzaroi, mischievous goblins, emerge from their subterranean lairs during the twelve days of Christmas, according to folklore from Southeastern European countries.
Children born during this time, known as the unbaptized days, are believed to have a high chance of turning into goblins as they grow older. To prevent this transformation into a large, hairy goblin with multiple animal parts, newborns are bound in straw or garlic, or their toenails are singed. Another protective measure is leaving a colander outside the door. These goblins, unable to count beyond two, will become distracted by trying to count the holes in the colander and disappear by dawn.
6. Tomte
The Tomte, according to Scandinavian folklore, is a gnome-like creature whose primary role is to protect farmers and their lands. These beings are often depicted wearing old farmer attire, with long beards and remarkable strength.
While the Tomte seems like a helpful protector, it can become furious if a farmer changes the way the farm is run or mistreats the animals. Once enraged, the Tomte has the power to drive people mad or even bite them, leaving behind a deadly poison. Smaller offenses, such as forgetting to add a spoonful of butter to the Tomte’s Christmas Eve porridge, may lead it to cause havoc on the farm.
5. Anti-Claus
Claude Claus, better known as the Anti-Claus, is said to be Santa Claus’ evil twin brother, abandoned at birth. A soothsayer convinced Santa and their mother to give Claude up, claiming he was evil and should not grow up alongside the virtuous Santa. Left on the doorstep of a church, Claude was taken in by a malicious couple who mistreated him.
In time, Claude killed his adoptive parents and began a spree of killings that reportedly continues to this day. Upon discovering his true identity as Santa’s twin, Claude grew even darker, creating Dark Christmas after his failed attempt to take over Halloween. He now rides a black sleigh drawn by hellhounds and a lone werewolf, delivering gifts to those who embrace evil on Dark Christmas, December 26. He even attacks Santa’s sleigh in mid-air, leading to brilliant fireworks.
4. Le Père Fouettard
According to legend, Père Fouettard was a butcher who murdered three children in 1150. There are different versions of the tale, with one involving his wife drugging the children, slitting their throats, and then cooking them.
St. Nicholas intervened, bringing the children back to life and reuniting them with their families. He rebuked Père Fouettard for his wickedness and punished him by forcing him to serve as his eternal helper. In Eastern France, the story now tells of Le Père Fouettard, who accompanies St. Nicholas as he delivers gifts to children. With his eerie old face, long beard, and a knapsack for kidnapping naughty children, he also carries a whip to punish them.
3. Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta is a figure that is often described as a witch or beast with two faces—one for good children and another for the naughty ones. Initially performing good deeds, she leaves silver coins in the shoes of well-behaved children on the 12th day of Christmas.
Naughty children would be wise to flee for their lives, as Frau Perchta is known to carve open their stomachs, remove their internal organs, and stuff their mutilated bodies with straw and stones. While the fate of the organs remains unclear, it is believed they may serve as a gruesome feast for Perchta and the Straggele. Some rumors even suggest that Perchta is a shape-shifter, capable of assuming any form.
2. Straggele
In countries like Switzerland, demons known as Straggele often accompany the figure of Frau Perchta. These demons share in the treats left out by humans hoping to escape punishment and gain favor in the form of wealth and good health from Perchta.
However, these demons are not only out to collect gifts. On occasion, Perchta leaves the task of punishing children to them. The Straggele take full advantage of this and rob children who haven’t behaved well. Once they have taken the children, they carry them off, only to tear them apart mid-flight.
1. Joulupukki
The Joulupukki is a goat-like creature from Finnish folklore that strikes fear into children during the Christmas season. With its menacing, ugly face and horns, it roams around demanding gifts from youngsters. In the past, people could ward off the Joulupukki with prayers and specific rituals.
Interestingly, a more modern version of the Joulupukki story paints the creature in a much kinder light. In this tale, it resembles Santa Claus, handing out presents on Christmas Day and engaging in cheerful conversations with children. It’s unclear why the Joulupukki transformed from a fearsome figure to a benevolent one, but both versions of the story remain beloved in Finland.
