Happy Krampus Night! We have made our Krampus lore more kid friendly in our home (we don't need the threats of physical pain and kidnapping boogeymen to discipline our kids), and he is a beloved entity in our family. Instead of Elf on the Shelf, we do a Krampus on the Prowl using this Funko Pop Krampus. Everyday the kids search the house for his next hiding place. Rules are that Krampus has to be able to see them, high or low, which keeps them out of cabinets, draws, and our bedroom. On Krampus Night, we create an altar for him, with offerings from the kids, and mead or whiskey from the adults. We wear scary masks and dance around with jingle wands, giving energy to power Krampus so he can do his job more efficiently. In the morning, Krampus is gone, leaving behind a pile of coins and treats if they've been good...or nothing at all if they've been bad. Either way, when its time for Krampus to leave, the kids always miss him. Funny enough, the kids haven't found Krampu...

Did you know that some believe that the Yule Goat is connected to Thor's goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjostr? Thor sacrifices his goats to feed his family. In the morning, He resurrects them with His mighty hammer. In our family, on Yule Eve, after our Mother Reindeer Ritual and the Yule Pumpkin hunt, we leave out offerings of sun cookies for Reindeer Mother and Elen of the Ways, mead or whiskey for Odin and Sleipnir, and oatmeal and carrots for the Yule Goat and Tomte. In the morning, the kids find their stockings filled with treats, something to wear, and a gift wrapped in plain brown paper and twine. Some people also burn their straw or wooden goats, then make a new one each year, a similar tradition to burning a Yule Log/candles or a stick bundle, stuffed with bay leaves and slips of paper with hopes and wishes. If you have Gift Givers this holiday season, who are they? What are your holiday traditions? Or perhaps you have more information about the Yule Goat or any other winter...