Creepy Christmas Creatures

Do you ever wish that Christmas was more like Halloween? Well, the two holidays in fact used to be much more similar.  Dark and terrifying creatures lurked in the shadows while groups of revelers went from house-to-house asking for treats. While Christmas has become a bit saccharine, it doesn't have to stay that way.

You've probably heard of Krampus, but did you know that Europe is full of macabre monsters that creep into your house on the holidays? Some of them, like the Yule Cat, will straight up eat you whole. Others, like Belschnikel, will whip you if you're naughty. And some, like the Perchta, just want to check your house for dust, and then cut open your stomach and leave any dirt they find before sewing you back up. Then there's La Befana, an Italian grandmother version of Santa Claus, who wants you to leave her something much more practical than milk and cookies. 

Indeed, Europe is full of Christmas monsters, ice wizards, frost witches, savage ogres, and haunting spirits. They're detailed here in this book, each one with full-page, full-color illustration.

It's a book for all ages, though some of the creatures' depictions and habits may be too frightening for younger readers. If you like the following, odds are that you need to get your hands on this book.