Traditional Origins
Reason for the Season
Santa Claus and Friends
Trick or Treat
Nordic Traditions
100
This Bishop got his start in gift-giving in the Turkish city of Myra.
Saint Nicholas
100
What astronomical event occurs around the same time as Christmas and has been celebrated since neolithic times?
The Winter Solstice
100
What horned figure was said to accompany St. Nicholas and visit naughty children on December 5th?
Krampus
100
What common song talks about the old act of going door-to-door for treats like Halloween trick-or-treating?
We wish you a merry christmas
100
A large straw and wood yule goat that is erected in Sweden every year since 1966…and most years is burned down.
The Gävle Goat
200
What day is the start of the traditional 12 days of Christmas?
Christmas Day (December 26th)
200
The Norse winter solstice party, whose name comes from the Norse word hweol, meaning wheel.
Yule
200
This gift bringer was promulgated by Martin Luther at the Protestant Reformation in 16th–17th-century Europe to discourage the Catholic devotion of saints such as Saint Nicholas.
Christkindl
200
An old British tradition of wishing good health to apple trees by drinking cider, putting toast on branches, and parading while yelling this old English word for "be healthy"
Wassail
200
A vicious and huge cat that stalks Iceland that is said to lurk in the snowy countryside during the Christmas season and eat people who do not receive new clothing before Christmas Eve.
Yule Cat
300
What plant was declared a symbol of love by the Norse Goddess Frigga after her son Baldur was killed - and later resurrected - with a mistletoe-made weapon, leading to a promise that anyone passing beneath would receive a kiss
Mistletoe
300
What neolitiic stone monument in Engalnd is aligned with the sunset of Winter Solstice
Stonehenge
300
A man in dark robes with scraggy, unkempt hair, and a long beard that threatens enfants with a whip or large stick
Père Fouettard
300
The Welsh gray mares skull that visits houses and challenges the occupants to a rhyme battle.
Mari Lwyd
300
The Icelandic troll-witch who grabs naughty children around christmas and cooked them into stew.
Grýla
400
What carnival-esque Roman festival may be the source of some early Christmas traditions?
Satunalia
400
Also known as Three Kings Day or Epiphany, this day is the last day of the traditiional 12 days of christmas
January 6th
400
The Nurembergian companion of St. Nicholas, who gave naughty children ash and coal.
Knecht Ruprecht
400
The Krampuses of East Tyrol, who march through towns throwing people on their backs and stealing tables.
Klaubaufs
400
The 13 prankster sons of Grýla who each arrived on one night before Christmas.
The Yule Lads
500
December 26th is known as St. Stephen's Day or Boxing Day, but in Ireland it is named after a small bird.
Wren Day
500
The 13th of December is the feast day of this saint, who is often represented carrying her eyes on a platter
St. Lucy
500
Another German Christmas gift-giver, similar to Knecht Ruprecht, but prefers to visit homes without a saintly companion.
Belsnickel
500
On the night of January 5th, men carrying staffs and wearing bells, white robes, and ornate glowing headdresses bring good luck for the new year in what custom?
Glöcklern
500
What Norwegian tradition similar to Halloween occurs at the winter solstice, included someone dressed as a goat?
Julebukking
