Long before Christmas was a season of comfort and light, winter was feared—and the stories told during its darkest nights reflected that fear. In this episode, we explore ancient Germanic, Icelandic, European, and Russian winter folklore, uncovering the shadowed beings said to roam forests, mountains, and villages during the holiday season. These entities watched, judged, punished, and protected, enforcing social order and survival through hunger, cold, and endless darkness. Far from cheerful myths, these tales were warnings, passed down by firelight to explain the cruelty of winter and the unseen forces believed to control it. Between guardian and monster, blessing and punishment, these figures reveal a forgotten side of Christmas rooted in dread rather than joy. Join us as we uncover the cryptids of Christmas lore, where winter itself feels alive…and never entirely kind.

Music: Geoff Harvey - Pixabay (Spellcraft)

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Christmas_folklore#Yule_Lads

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_cat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%BDla

https://boroughsofthedead.com/frau-perchta/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Trotha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befana

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olentzero

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nisse_(folklore)