More Christmas Treats

In Italy, children leave La Befana (sometimes called the Christmas witch, though she arrives on Epiphany) a plate of broccoli and sausage. (Weird. And arbitrary. Kinda like my job.)

In Puerto Rico presents are brought by the three wise men on Epiphany. Puerto Rican children leave water and grass for the camels of the wise men.

In Denmark, a bowl of rice pudding is put up in the attic for the nisse at the christmas time of year. This will keep the little buggers from playing tricks on the household in the coming year. Cheap date.

Comments are open if you have more examples.

I wonder what the deal is here? There seems to be some sort of 'paying off the spirits' thing going on here. Why would so many cultures select the winter solstice as a time to placate the spirits? I guess when you don't have electric lights, and you can't grow more food until the spring, you latch on to whatever you can think of to keep things running smoothly. Truth be told, I may be putting a bowl of porridge in the garage for the week surrounding christmas. Or maybe on the deck. I'd live under there if I were a gnome.