24 Demons of Christmas

Christmas season is well known for the arrival of Saint Nicholas. Students of Waters End Academy have learned that the holiday also brings Krampus to seek out the children on Santa’s naughty list. But Krampus isn’t the only scary creature who comes at Christmas. A group of 24 demons from all over the world visit during the Christmas season. Here they are:

December 1
Knecht Ruprecht
Santa’s grumpiest helper comes from Germany. He punishes bad children with smacks from a bundle of sticks or covers them with ashes from a sack that he carries.

December 2
Frau Perchta
Also hailing from Germany is this beautiful, but dark and terrifying demon who comes calling for naughty, lazy children. She slits their tummies and fills them with straw. Witch Tip: Make sure you do your chores around the house to keep Frau Perchta away.

December 3
Kallikantzaroi
A Greek demon who is half-man, half-goat. He looks a lot like Krampus. Kallikantzaroi lives underground, sometimes in caves, but rises at Christmas to scare naughty children.

December 4
Danny
This South African boy was killed by his angry grandmother for eating Santa’s cookies. The ghost of Danny roams the world looking for cookies at Christmas. Witch Tip: Repel this evil spirit by baking a Christmas cookie in the form of a boy (gingerbread man) then bite of its head and leave it near the fireplace.

December 5
La Befana
Italy’s good witch is an old woman who sneaks into homes on Epiphany Eve (January 5) and leaves treats for good children, but coal for the bad ones.

December 6
Christmas Spider
Ukrainian legend describes a rare spider that spins its web to decorate the Christmas trees and homes of the poor. The webs magically turn into into silver coins on Christmas days. Witch Tip: Alchemists have been trying to capture and study a Christmas Spider for centuries, but the creature only appears during the Christmas season and is very difficult to catch.

December 7
Yule Goat
Sweden’s demon goat creature was lead door to door by Saint Nicholas to demand presents from naughty households. Villagers sometimes make a Yule Goat out of straw then burn it to keep the demon away. Witch Tip: Make a small straw Yule Goat and tie it onto your enemy’s Christmas tree like an ornament. It will attract the Yule Goat and the recipient must pass it along to somebody else in the same way to get rid of it.

December 8
Tio de Nadal
A Catalan tradition in which a hollow log is filled with presents in the weeks before Christmas, then it poops them out on Christmas day. Witch Tip: Keep diaper wipes handy.

December 9
Mari Lwyd
A demon from Wales who possesses a villager, forcing him or her to wear a cloak and carry a horse skull on a pole in to terrorize bad children. Witch Tip: Keep carrots handy to throw at Mari Lwyd.

Iceland is the origin of this next collection of scary, thieving demons who visit during the twelve days of Christmas.

December 10
Gryla
An frightening giantess who cooks bad children into a stew. Witch Tip: Either be very good or go on a diet to ensure you aren’t fat enough to cook.

December 11
Yule Cat
Gryla’s giant cat eats children who don’t wear new clothes at Christmas. Witch Tip: Make good use of the socks and underwear you get from your weird aunt on Christmas.

December 12
Stekkjarstaur
A demon who harasses sheep in order to get their milk. Also known for stealing the milk left out by children for Santa. Witch Tip: Leave Santa almond milk to scare off Stekkjarstaur.

December 13
Giljaguar (Gully Gawk)
This demon hides in gullies outside of homes, waiting to sneak in to steal Santa’s milk and cookies. Witch Tip: Sweep the gullies and gutters around your house so the Gully Gawk has nowhere to hide.

December 14
Stufur (Stubby)
This abnormally short demon steals pots and pans to lick the crust off them. Witch Tip: Be sure to clean your cauldron and put it away after use to discourage Stubby.

December 15
Pvorusleikir (Spoon Licker)
This skinny demon sneaks into kitchens to steal spoons then licks them and puts them back. Witch Tip: Always wash a spoon before you use it at Christmas time.

December 16
Pottaskefill (Pot Scraper)
A demon who steals left-overs from the bottoms of pots used in the making of holiday feasts. Witch Tip: As with Stubby, clean your cauldron completely.

December 17
Askasleikir (Bowl Licker)
A nasty demon who hides under beds and steals bowls or chamber pots to lick them clean. Witch Tip: Check under your bed before turning off the light and always flush the toilet.

December 18
Hurdaskellir (Door Slammer)
A demon who slams doors in the middle of the night to wake up the residents. Witch Tip: Keep the doors into your home locked before you go to bed.

December 19
Skyrgamur (Skyr Gobbler)
A demon who loves Skyr – a thick yogurt -and will tear apart a kitchen in search of it. Witch Tip: Confuse Skyrgamur by leaving yoga pants hanging in your kitchen.

December 20
Bjugnakrackir (Sausage Swiper)
This sneaky demon hides in the rafters of your home and waits until you are asleep before stealing sausages from your kitchen. Witch Tip: Sweep the rafters of your attic at the beginning of the Christmas season.

December 21
Gluggagaegir (Window Peeper)
This demon snoops at your windows while looking for an opportunity to sneak inside and steal your presents. Witch Tip: Keep your curtains drawn when you go to bed.

December 22
Gattapefur (Doorway Sniffer)
A demon with a big, sensitive nose who sniffs and snuffs at doors in search of holiday treats. Witch Tip: Leave some stinky socks near the door to drive the Doorway Sniffer away.

December 23
Retkrokur (Meat Hook)
This demon uses a big hook to steal meat from your kitchen or smoke house. Witch Tip: Keep your meats and sausages locked securely in the pantry or refrigerator.

December 24
Kertasnikir (Candle Stealer)
A hungry demon who sneaks into homes to steal tallow candles that he then eats. Witch Tip: Use scented candles to keep the Candle Stealer away.